ITV's Butterfly viewers praise show as "powerful"
ITV's new show Butterfly is already being praised by viewers as "important" and "powerful" following its debut.
The series, which premiered on ITV last night (October 14), stars former Hollyoaks actor Emmett J Scanlan and Pushing Daisies' Anna Friel as a separated couple whose child Max has identified as a female since a young age and increasingly shows signs of gender variance.
Described by ITV as a "beautiful story about a young boy on the cusp of puberty who doesn't feel comfortable in his own body", Butterfly fans were quick to share their views on Twitter.
#Butterfly is truth. #Butterfly is an example of the lived experience of trans youth everywhere, and memories within many trans adults today. Supporting trans youth isn't 'transing', it's good parenting. Refusing to accept this as truth... 1/2
- Annie Wallace (@anniewallace) October 14, 2018
... is the real abuse. #Butterfly should be seen as a watershed moment for trans youth, whether girls or boys. They are our future. Listen to them, love them, and support them. Thank you, @annafriel @EmmettScanlan @Mermaids_Gender #ITV 2/2
- Annie Wallace (@anniewallace) October 14, 2018
Wow. Loved it. Nailed it. No-one wants it. We fight it. Ignore it. But it’s who we are. And there’s only one thing to do. Love us for who we are ❤️ #Butterfly
- India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) October 14, 2018
Am very impressed with #Butterfly on ITV. It’s powerful and sometimes painful to watch but feels like it could be a game-changer in helping the general public empathise with the trans experience - so one day life might not be so difficult for trans kids. An exciting prospect!
- Matt Cain (@MattCainWriter) October 14, 2018
As a trans guy and going through my own journey watching things like this is genuinely so hard but I’m so glad it’s being shown in such a realistic way and I hope more people come to realise that trans people are just normal people that just want to live authentically. #Butterfly
- jase (@gcldenkid) October 14, 2018
One wrote: "Am very impressed with #Butterfly on ITV. It's powerful and sometimes painful to watch but feels like it could be a game-changer in helping the general public empathise with the trans experience - so one day life might not be so difficult for trans kids. An exciting prospect!"
Another shared: "#Butterfly is truth. #Butterfly is an example of the lived experience of trans youth everywhere, and memories within many trans adults today. Supporting trans youth isn't 'transing', it's good parenting."
A third tweeted: "As a trans guy and going through my own journey watching things like this is genuinely so hard but I'm so glad it's being shown in such a realistic way and I hope more people come to realise that trans people are just normal people that just want to live authentically."
For some, #Butterfly will be the first time they've seen someone on TV who's going through the same thing as they have.
More of this please ITV.- Daniel Walsh (@DanielWalsh12) October 14, 2018
Trying to hold back the tears watching #Butterfly, it's disgusting that transphobia exists in 2018.
- Liam (@LiamP_100) October 14, 2018
I hope people are watching #Butterfly tonight with an open mind and an open heart. It’s an incredible drama with such an important message. ❤️
- Courtney Town (@courtneytown_) October 14, 2018
If you're watching #Butterfly, you might be interested in this study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. It shows that accepting trans kids for who they say they are virtually eliminates depression and low self-worth. https://t.co/MoK6bBQMHP
- Paris Lees (@parislees) October 14, 2018
As well as Scanlan and Friel, Butterfly stars Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Paula actor Sean McGinley and child star Callum Booth-Ford as Max/Maxine.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter account.
('You Might Also Like',)