Dietland is being hailed for its representation of women and social commentary on the beauty industry. But is this the feminist TV show we’ve been waiting for?
Adapted from Sarai Walker’s debut novel of the same name, Dietland follows Plum Kettle — a ghostwriter for a popular beauty magazine. Plum (Joy Nash) is introverted, intelligent, and she also happens to be obese. Barely 10 minutes into the episode, Plum’s “waist-watchers” session leader tells her as much. Between writing emails for the tragic Dear Kitty column, and spending time at her local bakery, Plum begins to get caught up in a conspiracy which is far bigger than anything she may have imagined.
Plum’s story has been adapted into a 10-part TV series for AMC (or you can find it on Amazon Prime if you are in the UK) by Marti Noxon. She’s a bit of a living legend in the sphere of creating interesting and complex female characters. Noxon was an exec on both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more recently UnReal. Though they couldn’t be more different in subject matter, both shows have incredibly complex and authentic female characters — something that Noxon has clearly also bought to Dietland.
Joy Nash as Plum, Tamara Tunie as Julia; group – Dietland _ Season 1, Episode 1 – Photo Credit: Patrick Harbron/AMC
The show also stars Tamara Tunie (Law & Order, Better Call Saul,) Erin Darke (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Good Girls Revolt), and Julianna Margulies as Plum’s vapid boss Kitty. The array of talented female cast members is refreshing as the show certainly centers itself on the female characters. In fact, there are only three male characters in the premiere who speak — and only one of these is actually named.
Dietland has already garnered support from prominent figures in the body positivity movement, and fans on twitter are praising the show for its depiction of a genuine fat woman on screen.
“I learned to live inside myself. My body was just a thing I used to move my head around” -@DietlandAMC
— Tess H🍒lliday (@Tess_Holliday) June 5, 2018
😭😭 This is something I know every plus size person has felt. @AMC_TV #JoinTheRevolution #Dietland #ad
25 minutes in and for the first time in my life on a TV show I'm seeing diet culture being laid bare & fatphobia being explored truthfully. I'm so in love. #Dietland #JoinTheRevolution #ad
— Megan 🐼 (@meganjcrabbe) June 5, 2018
It truly is a revelation to see a fat woman on screen, not just “Hollywood fat” but an authentically plus-size actress playing a fat character. What’s even more revolutionary is that Plum’s entire character isn’t solely based on her size. Dietland doesn’t hide the experiences Plum has to go through on a day to day basis due to her size (comments on her weight, trying not to take up space in the subway car). It also shows that Plum’s weight isn’t all that she is, it’s only a part of her.
Dietland has been described as a social satire, but it accurately mirrors real dialogues surrounding fat bodies in public spaces. Perhaps this honesty is why the premiere has resonated so well with so many women.
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Combined with the potential mystery element, Dietland looks like it may tick a lot of boxes — especially in the feminist category. We’re excited to see what you can do, Plum!