Netflix fans go wild as ITV’s ‘best show ever’ with huge A-List star lands on the platform – 13 years after its debut
NETFLIX viewers are thrilled after a hit series was added to the streamer’s catalogue last week.
The drama series ran for four years on ITV and features a Doctor Who alum in the lead role.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl was on viewers’ screens from 2007 to 2011.
Based on the blog and books by Belle da Jour (aka Brooke Magnanti), the plot follows a high-end call girl in London.
Actress and singer Billie Piper, who also played Rose Tyler in Doctor Who, starred as the main character Belle.
Much like the author, “Belle” wasn’t the real name of Billie’s character – who was actually named Hannah Baxter.
The show’s storyline focused on Hannah’s professional and private lives, as well as the complications that would arise if they collided.
Other characters throughout the run include Ben (Iddo Goldberg), Hannah’s best friend and former boyfriend as well as Gloria “Bambi” White (Ashley Madekwe), a naive younger escort mentored by Hannah.
The cast also featured James D’Arcy, Lily James, Gemma Chan and Paul Nicholls.
Fans were thrilled about the show coming to Netflix, with one writing: “Oh my god Secret Diary of a Call Girl being on Netflix has made me so happy.”
Another commented: “‘OMGGG Secret Diary of a Call Girl is on Netflix. I have longed for this for a long, long time.”
While a third person shared: “Is Secret Diary of a Call Girl new to Netflix??
“Either way, if you have not seen it, go and watch it RIGHT NOW it is the BEST show ever.”
It comes as Billie recently had a starring role in a highly anticipated Netflix project.
Released in April, the biographical drama film Scoop is a retelling of how the 2019 BBC television interview of Prince Andrew was secured and filmed.
Billie portrays a real-life person, Samantha McAlister, a former TV producer and author who secured the conversation for the Newsnight episode “Prince Andrew & the Epstein Scandal”.
The all-star cast also featured Gillian Anderson, Keeley Hawes, as well as Rufus Sewell playing Prince Andrew.
Billie Piper's Film and TV projects
- Doctor Who (2005–2006, 2008, 2010): Billie played companion Rose Tyler in the classic sci-fi show’s revived incarnation. She first starred opposite Christopher Eccleston and later David Tennant.
- Secret Diary of a Call Girl (2007-2011): In this drama, the actress starred as Hannah Baxter, who works as a high-end call girl in London under the name “Belle”. The programme ran for four series.
- Penny Dreadful (2014-2016): As a main cast member of this horror drama, Billie portrayed the role of Brona Croft, an Irish immigrant living in London. The character is an original take on the Bride of Frankenstein story.
- Collateral (2018): Billie starred as Karen Mars, the ex-wife of an MP named David Mars (John Simm).
- I Hate Suzie (2020-2022): A dark comedy-drama, Billie is a co-creator, executive producer and star. She plays Suzie Pickles, a former teenage popstar and television actress.
- Scoop (2024): Biographical drama film released on Netflix about the 2019 Prince Andrew interview on Newsnight. Billie has a role as former TV producer Sam McAllister, who secured the discussion.
Former New Tricks actress Amanda Redman and Sex Education star Connor Swindells were also among the ensemble.
In other work, Billie has been announced to star in the second season of Netflix supernatural mystery Wednesday, based on Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family.
She joins fellow newcomers to the show Steve Buscemi, Joanna Lumley, Haley Joel Osment and Christopher Lloyd, who previously played Uncle Fester.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl is available to watch on Netflix.