Premiering on BBC One on February 22, 2025, Dope Girls is a gripping period drama set in the smoky jazz clubs and shadowy backstreets of 1920s London. The series follows Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson), a determined American journalist, as she infiltrates the city’s underground drug trade to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious deaths. Along the way, she crosses paths with Violet Davies (Eliza Scanlen), a young heiress drawn into the dangerous world of opium dens, and the enigmatic Damaso Salucci (Dustin Demri-Burns), a charismatic but ruthless crime lord.
With its lush visuals, intricate storytelling, and exploration of themes like addiction, power, and redemption, Dope Girls is a bold reimagining of the Roaring Twenties. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast, the series promises to be a thrilling blend of historical drama and noir intrigue. Let’s meet the characters bringing this world to life.
Dope Girls: Meet the Cast
1- Julianne Nicholson as Kate Galloway
Julianne Nicholson, acclaimed for her roles in Mare of Easttown (2021) and I, Tonya (2017), stars as Kate Galloway, a tenacious journalist with a haunted past. Nicholson’s ability to convey quiet strength and emotional depth, as seen in August: Osage County (2013), makes Kate a compelling protagonist.
In Dope Girls, Nicholson’s performance captures Kate’s determination to expose the truth, even as she becomes entangled in the very world she’s investigating. Her chemistry with Eliza Scanlen and Dustin Demri-Burns drives the series’ tension and emotional stakes.
2- Eliza Scanlen as Violet Davies
Eliza Scanlen (Little Women, Sharp Objects) plays Violet Davies, a rebellious heiress drawn to the allure of London’s underworld. Scanlen’s ability to portray vulnerability and defiance, as seen in Babyteeth (2019), makes Violet a standout character.
In Dope Girls, Scanlen’s performance explores Violet’s journey from sheltered debutante to daring adventurer, as she navigates the dangers of addiction and forbidden love. Her dynamic with Julianne Nicholson adds depth to the series’ exploration of female solidarity.
3- Dustin Demri-Burns as Damaso Salucci
Dustin Demri-Burns (Succession, Dead Pixels) stars as Damaso Salucci, a magnetic crime lord with a tragic past. Demri-Burns’s ability to portray charm and menace, as seen in The Crown (2016–2023), makes Damaso a captivating antagonist.
In Dope Girls, Demri-Burns’s performance delves into Damaso’s complex motivations, as his empire is threatened by Kate’s investigation. His chemistry with Julianne Nicholson and Geraldine James adds layers of intrigue and tension.
4- Geraldine James as Isabella Salucci
Geraldine James (The Crown, Anne with an E) plays Isabella Salucci, Damaso’s formidable mother and the matriarch of the Salucci family. James’s ability to portray strength and vulnerability, as seen in Calendar Girls (2003), makes Isabella a compelling figure.
In Dope Girls, James’s performance explores Isabella’s struggle to maintain control over her family and empire, as secrets from her past come to light. Her dynamic with Dustin Demri-Burns and Sebastian Croft adds emotional depth to the series.
5- Sebastian Croft as Silvio Salucci
Sebastian Croft (Heartstopper, Game of Thrones) plays Silvio Salucci, Damaso’s ambitious younger brother. Croft’s ability to portray charm and vulnerability, as seen in Horrible Histories (2009–2013), makes Silvio a relatable and compelling character.
In Dope Girls, Croft’s performance explores Silvio’s struggle to carve out his own identity in the shadow of his brother’s empire. His dynamic with Dustin Demri-Burns and Eliza Scanlen adds layers of sibling rivalry and forbidden romance.
6- Nabhaan Rizwan as Silas Huxley
Nabhaan Rizwan (1917, Informer) plays Silas Huxley, a mysterious doctor with ties to the Salucci family. Rizwan’s ability to portray intelligence and moral ambiguity, as seen in The Capture (2019), makes Silas a standout character.
In Dope Girls, Rizwan’s performance explores Silas’s dual role as healer and enabler, as he becomes entangled in Kate’s investigation. His chemistry with Julianne Nicholson and Eliza Scanlen adds layers of intrigue and tension.
7- Will Keen as Frederick Asquith-Gore
Will Keen (His Dark Materials, The Crown) plays Frederick Asquith-Gore, a powerful politician with a dark secret. Keen’s ability to portray authority and vulnerability, as seen in Wolf Hall (2015), makes Frederick a compelling antagonist.
In Dope Girls, Keen’s performance explores Frederick’s struggle to maintain his public image, as his private life unravels. His dynamic with Fiona Button and Eloise Thomas adds depth to the series’ exploration of power and corruption.
8- Fiona Button as Sophie Asquith-Gore
Fiona Button (The Split, Blandings) plays Sophie Asquith-Gore, Frederick’s long-suffering wife. Button’s ability to portray strength and vulnerability, as seen in The Hour (2011–2012), makes Sophie a relatable and compelling character.
In Dope Girls, Button’s performance explores Sophie’s journey from dutiful wife to independent woman, as she confronts the truth about her husband. Her dynamic with Will Keen and Eloise Thomas adds emotional depth to the series.
9- Rory Fleck Byrne as Luca Salucci
Rory Fleck Byrne (The Witcher, Vikings) plays Luca Salucci, Damaso’s loyal enforcer. Byrne’s ability to portray intensity and vulnerability, as seen in The Stag (2013), makes Luca a standout character.
In Dope Girls, Byrne’s performance explores Luca’s struggle to reconcile his loyalty to the Salucci family with his own moral code. His dynamic with Dustin Demri-Burns and Eliza Scanlen adds layers of tension and intrigue.
10- Eloise Thomas as Alice Asquith-Gore
Eloise Thomas (The Nevers, The Irregulars) plays Alice Asquith-Gore, Frederick and Sophie’s rebellious daughter. Thomas’s ability to portray youthful defiance and vulnerability, as seen in The Letter for the King (2020), makes Alice a relatable and compelling character.
In Dope Girls, Thomas’s performance explores Alice’s journey of self-discovery, as she navigates the dangers of London’s underworld. Her dynamic with Fiona Button and Will Keen adds depth to the series’ exploration of family and identity.
11- Priya Kansara as Lily Lee
Priya Kansara (Polite Society, Bridgerton) plays Lily Lee, a resourceful nightclub singer with ties to the Salucci family. Kansara’s ability to portray charm and resilience, as seen in The Baby (2022), makes Lily a standout character.
In Dope Girls, Kansara’s performance explores Lily’s struggle to balance her dreams with the harsh realities of her world. Her chemistry with Nabhaan Rizwan and Eliza Scanlen adds layers of romance and intrigue.
12- Umi Myers as Billie Cassidy
Umi Myers (The Witcher, The Irregulars) plays Billie Cassidy, a street-smart pickpocket with a heart of gold. Myers’s ability to portray wit and vulnerability, as seen in The Letter for the King (2020), makes Billie a fan favorite.
In Dope Girls, Myers’s performance explores Billie’s journey from petty thief to unlikely hero, as she becomes entangled in Kate’s investigation. Her dynamic with Julianne Nicholson and Eliza Scanlen adds humor and heart to the series.
With its blend of historical intrigue, complex characters, and lush period detail, Dope Girls is set to be BBC One’s next must-watch drama. Tune in on February 22, 2025—where the glitz of the Jazz Age hides a world of danger and deception.
