This week, Harvey Morton is thrilled to be reunited with the incredible Vivian Panka, who is currently making history as the first woman of colour to play Regina George in the UK and Ireland tour of Mean Girls.

In this conversation, Vivian opens up about:

✨ Holding the Secret – What it was like keeping her Mean Girls casting under wraps for months and the overwhelming response when the news finally dropped

🎭 Growing Up in Holland – How High School Musical sparked her love of musical theatre, and what it was like discovering shows like Wicked and Sister Act

🇬🇧 The Leap to the UK – Moving to a new country during the pandemic to star in 9 to 5, and the people like Louise Rednapp who showed her kindness when she had no family nearby

👑 Making History – The profound significance of being the first Black or mixed-race woman to play Regina George full-time, and the messages from parents and young people that remind her why representation matters

💪 Quiet Determination – How she advocated for herself by asking to be seen for Regina (not just Gretchen), and what gave her the confidence to go after what she wanted

🎤 Finding Regina – How she's making the iconic character her own, why Someone Gets Hurt and World Burn have both become favourites, and her Disney Channel pre-show playlist

📹 Documenting the Journey – Why she's vlogging the entire Mean Girls experience and what it means to share these moments with her audience

🌟 Learning from the Best – The invaluable lessons she's learned from working with Alice Fearn, Ryan Kopel, and other leading performers about professionalism, calm, and community

🎯 Dream Roles – She's already done two of her three dream shows (Dear Evan Hansen and Mean Girls)

💭 Advice to Her Younger Self – What she'd tell herself on that first terrifying day of 9 to 5 rehearsals, and why we all need to remember that "we aren't saving lives"

Vivian is honestly such a warm, kind, and hard-working person. Her journey from Holland to the West End stage is inspiring, but what strikes us most is her genuine desire to use her platform for good and to open doors for others. I think we could all learn to be more Vivian.

Follow Vivian:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivianPanka
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianpanka/?hl=en

See Mean Girls on Tour:
https://meangirlsmusical.com/#tour-dates

Harvey Morton reconnects with critically acclaimed theatre-maker Alexis Gregory, whose bold new work SMOKE is touring the UK from April through June 2026. This fast-paced queer thriller blends savage comedy with unflinching explorations of grief, psychosis, and drug use in the digital age.

SMOKE runs from 21st April – 20th June 2026, visiting London, Hastings, Brighton, Norwich, Bristol, Margate, Salford, Hull, Poole, and Nottingham. Each performance includes a 45-minute post-show panel discussion.

For tickets and full tour information, visit alexisgregory.co.uk

Follow Alexis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexis.gregory/
Follow You Are Loved on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youareloved.cic/

This week on Queerly's Stage and Screen, Harvey is joined by Matt Cullen and Crush Daddy to talk about Stripped Down - a new series launching on OUTflix March 3rd that follows six gay strippers in Wilton Manors, Florida as they navigate life on and off the stage.

What started as a viral YouTube interview that hit nearly half a million views has transformed into a reality series that challenges everything you think you know about sex work, stripping, and the people behind the performances. Matt, creator of the acclaimed documentary series Our Queer Life, and Crush, a former Division I basketball player turned stripper and content creator who's been sober for nearly a decade, open up about trust, authenticity, and why the LGBTQ+ community became home.

We talk about breaking down stigmas around sex work, the power of honest storytelling, why Wilton Manors was the perfect location for this series, and what it takes to be vulnerable on camera. Crush shares his sobriety journey and why he feels it's his duty to be open about addiction. Matt explains how he's carving out new space in LGBTQ+ reality TV - going deeper than the drama while keeping it real.

This conversation is thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly honest. If you're tired of reality TV that's either sanitised or purely focused on drama, this one's for you.

Watch Stripped Down on OUTflix: https://www.outflix.com

Follow Matt Cullen: https://www.instagram.com/mattcullen/

Follow Crush Daddy: https://www.instagram.com/crushdaddy/

Stripped Down premieres March 3rd on OUTflix. Six performers, one house, and stories that go far beyond the stage.

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

This week, Harvey Morton is joined by Ted Walliker and Lev Govorovski to talk about their upcoming show RON, opening at Riverside Studios from 5th-7th March.

Ted and Lev met on a play at the Finborough last summer and discovered they share an unusual skill set, they’re both actors and theatre technicians. That chance meeting led to a creative partnership that’s resulted in something truly unique: a one-person show about a stand-up comedian whose terrible set spirals into a strange, absurd journey through his mind.

Get tickets to RON here from 5th to 7th March at Riverside Studios: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/whats-on/Jf-ron/

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

Harvey Morton sits down with actor, writer, and director Paul Bradshaw ahead of his groundbreaking double bill at Park Theatre. Paul shares his journey from growing up on a council estate to becoming the first playwright to have a double bill programmed at this iconic venue.

We dive into the themes that connect his award-winning debut tell me straight and the world premiere of aggy, exploring queer identity, class, privilege, and creativity. Paul reflects on the challenges of navigating the theatre industry as a working-class artist and how his background shapes the stories he tells.

Tickets for tell me straight and the world premiere of aggy are available here: https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/tell-me-straight/ and https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/aggy/

Follow Paul on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_paulbradshaw/

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

Join Harvey Morton on this episode of Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast as he chats with director Harry Lighton and actor Harry Melling about their remarkable journeys and the acclaimed film Pillion. Fresh off three BAFTA nominations, including Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer, Harry Lighton shares the highs and surprises of his debut feature’s success. Meanwhile, Harry Melling reflects on his evolution from playing Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter to his powerful role as Colin in Pillion.

We dive into the creative choices behind the film’s striking contrasts and the personal transformations that shaped this deeply moving story.

Pillion is in cinemas now: https://a24films.com/films/pillion

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

Join Harvey on Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast as he chats with Ella Maisy Purvis, the breakout star of Channel 4’s acclaimed drama Patience. Ella’s portrayal of Patience Evans, a neurodivergent detective, has captured hearts and sparked vital conversations about authentic representation on screen.

In this episode, Ella opens up about growing up seeing autistic characters who were never explicitly named, the importance of diverse and unapologetic representation, and the incredible success of Patience. She also shares her dream roles, including characters who communicate beyond words and, yes, even a cheeky nod to James Bond.

Tune in for a thoughtful, fun, and deeply personal conversation that shines a light on what it means to break new ground in television today. Don’t miss the full interview on Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast.

Watch Patience on Channel 4:

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/patience

Follow Ella on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ellamaisypurvis/

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

In this episode of Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Robert Tregoning to talk all things That Witch!, a magical new musical co-created with his husband Billy Cullum. From their first meeting as performers in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to crafting a show that blends supernatural high school drama with pop culture flair, Robert shares the heart and humour behind this spellbinding production. We dive into the meta-musical format, the empowering themes of identity and queerness, and the excitement of showcasing part one at MT Fest UK 2026 at The Other Palace. Plus, hear about the incredible cast, including It’s a Sin’s Omari Douglas, and the talented creative team led by director Jess Edwards and musical director Arlene McNaught. Tune in for a fun, thoughtful conversation full of magic, camp, and the joy of storytelling. Don’t miss it!

Tickets are available here: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/that-witch/

Follow Robert on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobtregoning/

Follow Billy on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/billycullum/

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

Join Harvey Morton as he chats with Ethan Daniel Corbett, the charismatic lead of the new OUTflix series Laid Bare. This seductive queer mystery-thriller follows ten men at a clothing-optional resort where secrets, sex, and murder collide in a high-stakes game for a fortune.

Ethan opens up about stepping into the role of Alistair Lambrakis, navigating full-frontal nudity, and the unique camaraderie that formed on set under the scorching Palm Springs sun. We dive deep into what makes Laid Bare unapologetically queer, why audiences are craving more queer mystery thrillers, and the empowering message behind the steamy scenes.

Whether you’re a fan of The White Lotus, Knives Out, or just love a good queer drama with edge, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a few surprises. Don’t miss it!

Stream now on OUTflix: https://www.outflix.com

Follow Ethan Daniel Corbett on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethandanielcorbett/

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.

Join Harvey Morton as he chats with Alan Turkington, known for his roles in Heartstopper and Hollyoaks. Alan shares his experience stepping into the role of George Bernard Shaw in the intimate revival of Dear Liar at Jermyn Street Theatre, a play built entirely from the letters between Shaw and Mrs Patrick Campbell. We explore the challenges and joys of performing in such a close-knit space, the impact of Heartstopper on queer storytelling, and Alan’s exciting new chapter rescuing a puppy from Spain.

Don’t miss this thoughtful and fun conversation with an actor who brings warmth and honesty to every role.

Tickets for Dear Liar are on sale now for the run from 5 February to 7 March 2026. Grab yours here: https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/dear-liar/

Follow Alan on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thisisalanturk/

For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.