A new reality TV series, West End Girls, is being developed to follow the lives of female performers in London’s theatre scene. The project offers a blend of backstage insight and ongoing personal stories from the West End.

West End Girls is a docu-soap currently in development that will track leading women working in London’s theatre industry. Producer Thomas Hopkins, through his company End Card, has teamed up with TV producer Charlotte Fitzgerald to create the show.

The series aims to depict performers navigating careers, rivalries and personal lives in one of the most high-pressure theatre environments. Its format combines backstage access with story arcs that build through each episode alongside a performance element.

Casting is underway, with Emmy-nominated casting director Rob Kelly assigned to assemble the cast for the first season. The production has attracted interest from some of the UK theatre’s top names, according to Hopkins.

Hopkins revealed that the project began during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, during collaborations with West End stars and creatives. “We started working on this project during Covid in 2020, when we were collaborating with some of the West End’s highest profile performers and creatives and a dame or two,” he said.

Fitzgerald, known for her work on reality hits like The Only Way Is Essex, expressed enthusiasm for bringing theatre life beyond the stage to television. She said the format allows “us to go beyond the spotlight and show what life is like behind the footlights.”

Currently, West End Girls is moving towards producing a pilot episode and will feature a live stage component. The project is managed by West End Girls Ltd, which has registered the title as a UK trademark.

The combination of reality TV and London theatre offers a novel look at performers’ experiences and backstage dynamics in one of the world’s most famous dramatic hubs.