My Mad Fat Diary
Writer/Director
Written by Tom Bidwell and George Kay, but based on the book 'My Fat, Mad Diary' by Rae Earl. 'My Fat, Mad Diary' is a collection of diary entries from Rae Earl's diaries that she wrote when she was younger. Rae suffered with mental health issues. The book and the show tackles the issues of mental illness first and foremost in a very honest yet humorous manner. It also allows the characters to explore their sexualities, looking at the pressures young adults are under to be sexually active, and to be sexually active with the right person i.e. someone of the opposite sex. A heart warming programem that explores taboo subjects that are still issues now. BAFTA nominated.
Setting
Set in Lincolnshire in the mid 90s. Rae and her friends are 16.
Characters
- Archie: The only LGBTQ character in the show. Gay. Archie is at first a love interest for Rae, before she finds out that he is closet gay. He does ask her out, but is just confused and trying to convince himself, and others, that he is straight. Desperate to appear straight. He asks Rae out on another date but he can't go through with it, which obviously upsets Rae when he stands her up. But once she finds out why he stood her up, she is very kind about it and accepts him for who he is. Archie is frightened about what people will think once they find out, as he is already a victim of homophobic bullying which is why he keeps up the pretense that he is straight as self protection. Also, he is really just not ready for anyone to know. Season 2 episode 4 focuses most on the issues that Archie faces. He gets another girlfriend, but Rae informs the new girlfriend that Archie is gay, causing Rae and Archie to fall out. Rae apologises for what she did, and accepts that it was not her place to say and she didn't think about the consequences for Archie if everyone found out that he was gay. Archie himself finally accepts that he is gay after having to kiss a boy during a game of of spin the bottle. There is a time where Archie almost tells his friends that he is gay, but he can't go through with it because he's still not ready. Rae's best friend, Chloe, also develops feelings for Archie and is humiliated when he avoids the moves she makes on him. Eventually, Archie tells his friends that he is gay and they are all very accepting - in fact Finn, whom he was most frightened of telling, already guessed. Chloe exclaims 'and that's why you wouldn't get off with me!' The only person who isn't accepting is their friend, Chop. Archie continues to be a victim of homophobic bullying, and Chop doesn't defend him. Their relationship has changed even though they were good friends before Chop found out about his sexuality, showing that Chop struggles with homosexuality. Archie is angry at his homophobia. However, Chop eventually defends Archie against the bully and they make up. In season 3, Archie becomes involved with a a guy - there is a bizarre scene where Rae sees them having sex through a window and Archie waves at her with a smile on his face. I think that the depiction of Archie is fairly realistic and non-stereotypical because of the fact that the series was based on a real diary.
- Season 2 Episode 4: Rae: 'What are you most scared of?'. Archie: 'Homo... gay, queer, poof' / 'I don't think many people would do it to my face, but behind my back. It's gonna change everything.'