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Simone Lahbib talks about the tenth anniversary of "Bad Girls"

Heather Hogan

I'm not one to draw lines in the sand about good art and bad art. I'm not comfortable saying this thing is better than that thing; or that so-and-so are a better couple than such-and-such — except for this: The first three series' of the UK prison drama Bad Girls is the best lesbian story ever on TV, and Helen Stewart (Simone Lahbib) and Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones) are the all-time, number one, super dooper, mega best lesbian couple in the history of time and space forever and ever, amen.

It's been 10 years since the show first aired in Britain, and Helen James recently sat down with Simone Lahbib to talk about the impact of Helen and Nikki's relationship (and a possible reunion!) a decade after its humble beginnings.

We'll get to that part in a second, but first let's quickly flip through our Larkhall scrapbook to remember what makes Helen and Nikki better than everyone else.

Aw, look: the first time Nikki gets acquainted with Helen's fingers:

The first time Helen gets acquainted with Nikki's breasts:

The first time they get acquainted with one another's lips:

The second time:

The third:

Oh! The time all that acquainting pays off:

(Or, in the words of the most eloquent Bad Girls fan ever: "Helen and Nikki are in bed. Together. Naked. OMG. Do they look like a painting, or am I just that far gone?")

Aw, and here they are taking it dead slow:

So, Simone Lahbib. Ten years later, what does she think of Helen Stewart? Here's the interview in its entirety:

I confess I had to watch the interview twice to glean any information from it. The first time I kept answering the questions for Simone:

Helen James: Let's talk about Helen Stewart.
Me: Sure! I mean, that's only my favorite pastime ever.

Helen James: What do you think is so magical about the Helen and Nikki storyline?
Me: Uh, everything.

Helen James: Is Helen Stewart one of your most favorite characters?
Me: She's my favorite person in life.

Helen James: Bette Porter versus Helen Stewart in a cage match: who would win?
Me: I would pay one hundred badrillion dollars to watch that.

(In case you didn't actually watch the interview, I made up that last question.)

On second viewing, here were some of my favorite parts:

Helen James: Are you proud of being a part of something so groundbreaking?
Simone Lahbib: Very proud. Very proud. I think they did a great job in the writing. I think one of the reasons women, especially, respond to Bad Girls is that they really explored a lot of women's issues, and you know, a lot of women's issues that were slightly taboo. I think the Helen and Nikki storyline was the longest-explored lesbian relationship on TV.

Helen James: Everyone was waiting. Everyone wanted [Helen and Nikki] to be together. It was quite an emotional thing. Was it nervous for you, doing that final scene, knowing everyone was wanting to see you together?

Simone Lahbib: No. No, it was wonderful to do that scene because I imagined, as a viewer, that you wanted a happy ending for these two people. You just wanted that so much. I was really pleased that they had that in the end. It was partly why I decided to go with the third series ... When we spoke together with Shed [Productions] and they said that, you know, that was there plan, I knew I had to see it through.

Helen James: Do you have a bossy side, then?
Simone Lahbib: I do have a bossy side.

Helen James:If they wanted to bring it back, would you do another series, ten years later?
Simone Lahbib: Um, I've been asked that a few times over the years, and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to doing that. You know, if we sat down and really thought it through. The things is, because there's so much expectation about that, you wouldn't want to get it wrong. So, if it was well-devised and Mandana was happy to do it as well, then yeah, possibly.

Sigh. Don't tease me, Simone Lahbib. Or, whatever, tease me. Your call. I'll just sit in this chair and wait for you to make up your mind.

What do you think of Lahbib's interview? Would you watch a Helen/Nikki reunion, a decade after the show aired?

For more on Helen and Nikki, check out our interviews with Simone Lahbib and Mandana Jones. Or live the magic all over again with our Bad Girls recaps.

Thanks to Stealthgirl for the tip!

Heather Hogan's blog

Submitted by

Heather Hogan

on September 1, 2009 - 11:00am.

TAGS ::

Helen/Nikki reunion

Submitted by

bluewolf63 (1 post)

on September 1, 2009 - 11:40am.

I would be the first in line to watch a reunion of these two characters!! I absolutely loved them the first time around, and was very sad to see their story end. It doesn't hurt that I could sit & listen (and of course, look at) Simone Lahbib (LOVE the Scottish accent) all day long (and then some)...

"Would you watch a

Submitted by

Chirper (5 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 11:41am.

"Would you watch a Helen/Nikki reunion, a decade after the show aired?"

Do you actually need to ask?

hahahahahaha i couldn't

Submitted by

sparklet (1965 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:00pm.

hahahahahaha i couldn't agree more XD

Miss Stewart!

Submitted by

Symetta (18 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 12:02pm.

Nice interview, she looks great, I would really like to see a reunion of N&H, it is my fav. TV show. Love you Simone!!!

Be honest to yourself!!!

Reunion

Submitted by

Garage Door Whi... (15 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 12:03pm.

Would I watch? Of course I would watch. I hardly think there's anyone who watched the show who would say no to that question. I would watch. I would buy. I would LOVE it!

But here's what bummed me out about the interview. Helen and Nikki still top the list of best tv lesbian couple. In 10 years no one else has created better characters. 10 years and hundreds of shows! Man, the state of lesbian tv is pretty dismal.

It's not just "Lesbian" TV that's bad..it's actually..

Submitted by

SapphicDay (205 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 12:28pm.

The state of television programs in general that SUCKS. I hate to bash writers but they seem to lack the emotional maturity necessary for creating 3 dimensional characters. One does not have to be old to be emotiuonally mature either, but one must be thoughtful and reflective.

For exampled: in Season Two of the L Word did you ever notice how we were never given a backstory regarding Tina's behavior during and after her pregnancy? I mean clearly she was experiencing a hormonal imbalance but the younger viewers were never given any insight.

This is were today's writers lack emotional maturity.

It's a testament to great writing, taking the time they did to develop the Helena/Nikki Story by NOT having them immediately jump into bed, cementing the developing relationship in the viewers minds, insurined that their legacy would last longer than the numerous quasi sex scenes on The L Word, that were, with the exception of Helena and Dylan's Beach House love scene not particularly memorable.

Technology Will Lead To The Demise Of Civilization As We Know It.

I'm with Simone

Submitted by

Penny Winterr (825 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 12:09pm.

The reunion would have to be something well written and fully thought out. I haven't watched Bad Girls series 1-3 in many years. I need to break out those DVDs!

Oh, and Helen and Nikki in bed. They do look like a painting. A beautiful one.

It's Time

Submitted by

SapphicDay (205 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 12:11pm.

“Helen James: If they wanted to bring it back, would you do another series, ten years later?

Simone Lahbib: Um, I've been asked that a few times over the years, and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to doing that.”

Great Goddess!! PRODUCERS WORLDWIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please Bring back Bad Girls! Think it through, create quality scrip[ts and bring it back! For 6 Years Ilene Chaiken was allowed to rape our retinas with poorly written story arcs that were taken from derivative works and viewer authored “fan fiction” (Um she even admitted so in an interview with Go magazine).

It's time for something good.

Technology Will Lead To The Demise Of Civilization As We Know It.

fangasms

Submitted by

Mara (1296 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 12:19pm.

I would definitely watch a reunion - and I'm pretty sure if Shed Productions are involved (like before) it'll have some good writing.

_ _ _ _ _

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)

SIMONE <3

Submitted by

sparklet (1965 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:01pm.

I watched this on facebook the other night.... such a great interview. Could Simone be any cuter?? (a loud and resounding NO)

A reunion would pretty much make my life. But all this talk of an American remake really has me worried.... no one can pull it off like Simone and Mandana (and of course the rest of the lovely cast).

Running a bar?

Submitted by

scorpio54 (192 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:02pm.

With all due respect to Ms Lahbib, I don't see them running a bar on a beach. These were two women who believed in social justice. I always saw them having gone on to run either a small private detective agency looking into cases with a strong social dimension others were ignoring, or running some sort of small circulation crusading newspaper.

Oh Simone sigh I would

Submitted by

MrsLahbib (49 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:13pm.

Oh Simone *sigh*

I would adore a reunion, this remains the best made lesbian storyline on a tv show ever. I would rather watch them than Ilene try and murder 'our' stories. It is sad that there hasn't been anything better since.

I don't want them to attempt to remake this.

I saw this on facebook the

Submitted by

ChocolateSprinkles (102 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:19pm.

I saw this on facebook the other day and it pretty much made my week!

However i'm sure they have both said they wern't opposed to the idea before and nothing came of it. Plus even if Shed wrote it, is it not unlikley that ITV would pick it up 10 years later? Maybe if it had happened earlier, but I can't see them green lighting something with so niche an audience.

Tis a bugger cause Helen & Nikki are amazing! (and Simone is off air now that Wire has been cancelled *angry face*)

Helen & Nikki on Venice

Submitted by

Mdshore (40 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:39pm.

I for one would welcome a Helen & Nikki reunion s/l on the new web series Venice.

Others up for it?

http://twitter.com/mdshore

"Would you watch a Helen/Nikki reunion?"

Submitted by

ecosse (192 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 1:51pm.

I think we've found the world's most rhetorical question.

Nail. Head.

Submitted by

Jst_a_Grrl (12 posts)

on September 4, 2009 - 4:48pm.

Simone Lahbib is Still Gorgeous!

Submitted by

Zoe (2 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 2:48pm.

That's made me want to dig out my DVDs and watch it again.

I was/am a huge Helen fan. Would be good to see them all 10 years on.

Amen

Submitted by

Anonymous

on September 1, 2009 - 3:35pm.

Indeed!

Helen and Nikki, truly the

Submitted by

Anni (12 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 3:55pm.

Helen and Nikki, truly the sexiest couple ever on tv. The tension between them was something else...

Now, watching that interview, I just got an urge to go to Youtube and watch some fan videos and scenes... Oh, maybe I should watch through the first three dvd box sets.

My favorite Simone Lahbib clip. The cleavage helps too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1-PzdZGuc&NR=1

forever and ever, amen.

Submitted by

tellofilms (139 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 4:13pm.

totally agree Stuntdouble- Bad Girls first 3 seasons and the great storytelling that happened in that show was the reason that Nicole Valentine and I started tellofilms.com.

I wish Otalia storyline ended the way BG did- with a KiSS- and exactly what the audience wanted and deserved.

Check out and upload great lesbian videos on www.tellofilms.com

Yes please!

Submitted by

Lisa Blanco (28 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 4:54pm.

Oh wowie!! That's a fantastic interview with Simone and I don't know what she's complaining about, she still looks fabolous. I would absolutly be interested in another dose of the fantastic Helen/Nikki

I.AM.DED

Submitted by

Peej (33 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 5:23pm.

She is just so beautiful. I would watch her read my dishwasher manual! Although the liklihood of a spin off does seem far fatched 10 years later. They are the best written lesbian couple ever. They knock OTALIA out of the park...any day...I hope Simone gets a new gig soon, I miss seeing her on my TV screen.

(Now i am going back to fantasizing Helen and Nikki on a beach together making out) GLEE!!!!!

New gig.

Submitted by

KiwiB (25 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 7:20pm.

I agree with the need for Simone to get a new gig. She hasn't done anything in a year now, and doesn't appear to have anything in production (screen-wise). If she returned to TV I would drag myself away from my DVD collection to just watch her.

love the interview thankyou

Submitted by

sarah (304 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 5:45pm.

love the interview thankyou love this woman i agree tho if they did do a reunion it would hav to be spot on *swoon*

yesterday is history,2mrw is a mystery,today is a gift that is y it's called the present

Love you, stuntdouble!

Submitted by

lann88 (66 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 5:51pm.

I love you ALMOST as much as I love Helen. Although I would fight you for her. I loved the intervew and would be giddy as hell to see a reunion. I agree that Helen and Nikki are one of the best stories ever told...

And in case y'all don't know it- stuntdouble has written one of the best Helen/Nikki fan fiction stories ever told called, "What God Has Brought Together (and all that)". It's a must read!

stuntdouble's fanfic

Submitted by

wicketcat (20 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 10:20pm.

Can you provide us a link to the FanFic ?

:)

Submitted by

Heather Hogan (1508 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 11:17pm.

Stealth told me she PMed you. Hope you like it OK. :)

I will LOVE it. I have no

Submitted by

lann88 (66 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 12:18am.

I will LOVE it. I have no doubt. I've PMed you before here about how much I loved that fic and I'm not exagerating- it was a masterpiece. One of the absolute best. It moved me. You are amazingly talented. Plus, your love for Helen rivals my own, so that makes me respect you... ;-)

FanFic.!

Submitted by

Symetta (18 posts)

on September 3, 2009 - 9:34am.

Thanks for that fanfic, I had no idea you wrote it, I totally loved the story please write some more...

Be honest to yourself!!!

Here you are... And while

Submitted by

lann88 (66 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 12:15am.

Here you are... And while you're there, check out the newly finished sequel called, "Among the Lilies".

http://z4.invisionfree.com/Nikki_and_Helen/index.php?showtopic=1535

Bring back Helen and Nikki

Submitted by

solesister (126 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 6:28pm.

......and allow us gay girls to watch and savour these two again, fantastic writing, Shed did the lesbian tv world proud, puts L Word to shame and delighted it was British. Bring it on.

I believe BBC Scotland is making new Lesbian drama set in my home town of Glasgow called "Lip Service" - filming end of year. Hope it is as good as the storyline of Bad Girls - Helen and Nikki you gals rocked !

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13859.html

Reunion

Submitted by

yankeelady (25 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 6:43pm.

Take what everyone has said, and multiply it by a factor of 100...and there you have it.

SapphicDay...I love the comment about Ilene Chailken "raping our retinas..." That is so, so true.

stuntdouble...how about trying to roust up an interview with the lovely Mandana on the same topic?

Someone in London town needs to get their act together and do this thing.

Next Mandana Jones!

Submitted by

Symetta (18 posts)

on September 3, 2009 - 9:37am.

I totally agree with you about finding Mandana Jones and doing an interview with her, someone please get on with it!

Be honest to yourself!!!

love it!

Submitted by

squiggle (15 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 8:06pm.

They really were the best lesbian couple on TV. Of course I'd love to see them again!

I was starting to think that Pepa and Silvia on Los Hombres de Paco were going to oust Nikki and Helen from top spot, but then they killed off Silvia... which just goes to show how right Bad Girls got it ten years ago.

And who can beat a sexy Scottish accent anyway? Ah. Helen. Love it!

Helen and Nikki !

Submitted by

7Up (729 posts)

on September 1, 2009 - 8:43pm.

I love love love Hellen and Nikki!!!! Best Tv Lesbian couple ever, and one of the all time best lesbian couples in the ficticious world to boot! I'd definitely tune in for a return to Helen and Nikki, but Like Simone I'd want to be sure it was done properly, have the same writers and directors and all, and I'd want the happy ending... Can't help it....

(Can we get an interview with Mandana now?)

can someone help me out

Submitted by

L (277 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 12:43am.

i've never watched this show. how many season are there? i've heard its on logo. is the one at logo edited? i am planning to buy it at itunes. i want the original version though.

thanx!

You have to see it!

Submitted by

7Up (729 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 8:43pm.

The series is something like seven seasons, but the first three with Helen and Nikki are the absolute best!!!! You can also rent the first three seasons from Netflix ;-)

Helen and Nikki the best

Submitted by

Barbara (1 post)

on September 2, 2009 - 1:15am.

I would definetly watch a reunion.

this remains the best made lesbian storyline on a tv show ever.

If you want to watch the lovestory again on web

http://itsonlylove.net/nikki-and-helen.html

I would watch it, but...

Submitted by

B. (16 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 1:21am.

I am definitely in the minority here, but I'd prefer they didn't make a reunion. Regardless of how great the writting and everything else may be, it will never do justice the chemistry the two ladies had as jailor/prisoner. I'd prefer new stories, with new couples to fall in love with, not re-opening stories that have already arrived at a perfect ending.

10 years ago

Submitted by

ClaireA (112 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 4:01am.

10 years ago this was the best thing in my life...it was so important in helping me

acknowledge my sexuality. I think they're living happily ever after somewhere but

it would be nice to know what they've been doing for the last decade.

Ahh, that smile, that laugh...

Submitted by

allthings (33 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 5:57am.

How great to take a break from the hectic first weeks of teaching high school to watch one of my fav actors talk about one of my all-time fav characters!

Here's hoping they do a 10-years-later Helen and Nikki show! And, Simone, don't worry, we love you any way you are! After all, we're all 10 years older and have wrinkles, too.

"I have never been seen except in glimpses of my dreams
But you're waiting here in the wings and I'm speechless." Doris Muramatsu (Girlyman)

"There is no land but the land. There is no sea but the sea." Patti

Reunion

Submitted by

DAbramson (1 post)

on September 2, 2009 - 11:55am.

I just spent a weekend at a reunion.(it was amazing). One thing I took away from the event was that you can't go back. I would pay good money to see Mandana Jones and Simone Lahbib read the phone book together. Because from past interviews they talked about what they put into their work. But seeing Nikki and Helen in a ... what would it be. I was hoping to see more ... from this article.I ask that you look again and bring us something new , not the past.

Reunion as the concept!

Submitted by

7Up (729 posts)

on September 2, 2009 - 8:51pm.

Actually a totally new reason to have some of the old cast get back together in character, like a reunion, opening a halfway house for women (new setting ;)) would be great!

Did anyone see that movie that came out for ever ago called Chantily Lace? Totally off topic but I haven't seen it since it came out (I think it may have been a made for HBO movie...) it had Aliy Sheedy in it playing a lez.... and I think her gf was Martha Plimpton..... I'd like to see it again but have no idea how...

Best Lesbian Couple

Submitted by

Leigh (1 post)

on September 2, 2009 - 11:07pm.

Yes, I would love a reunion. I do think the Helen and Nikki romance was awesome. But not sure if they are the best lesbian couple. You should all check out Silvia and Pepa on Los Hombres de Paco (there are subtitiles out there), makes me wish I kept up with high school spanish.

amen!

Submitted by

helen stewart i... (109 posts)

on September 3, 2009 - 12:21am.

a reunion must happen and i have faith that the Lead team will do a good job as they know if they get it wrong they'll have to listen to the whinging of 1000's....infact millions of frustrated lesbians around the world. they won't let that happen :)

and top work stunt!! nice to see you got your girl in for an interview....thats what it was yeah? i'm afraid even after watching it 3 times i have no idea what she said.... i must pop over for that cuppa immediately! ;)

Simone looks better with a

Submitted by

anna4077 (23 posts)

on September 3, 2009 - 5:03am.

Simone looks better with a bit more meat on her bones. She's much too thin now IMO.

Thumbs up for the reunion. I'd love to see what Helen and Nikki are up to ten years down the track.

Please!!

Submitted by

Arc (41 posts)

on September 4, 2009 - 2:28pm.

If there is a God in telly heaven somewhere please please please make this reunion happen. Helen and Nikki helped me to accept my sexuality! To see their relationship developing made me realise I wasn't a total freak (I live in a small town in Ireland - gay people don't exist!). It'd be class to see them come back - even for a one-off - just to see where the relationship has gone!! Simone and Mandana, do it for the fans - ppppllllleeeeaaasssseeee!

Good times

Submitted by

Jst_a_Grrl (12 posts)

on September 4, 2009 - 4:43pm.

Thank you so much - I have the most massive grin on my face reading this! Proper LMHO.

I've been following afterellen.com for a long time, but have been compelled to sign up to tell you this - plus that I like your writing loads. I watched Bad Girls and the Nikki/Helen saga back when I was coming out. I think I may still have pivotal episodes on VHS somewhere...

PS - Reunion?! Flippin eck!

PPS - Did I just confess to you and the interwebs that I have seriously old episodes of Bad Girls somewhere in my attic?

Simone has also been in...

Submitted by

willowspuppy (4 posts)

on September 12, 2009 - 6:34pm.

'Wire In The Blood' shown on ITV1 in the UK, not sure about the US.

There is another interview, also by Helen James at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tAZdAvahfQ

Best Lesbian Couple Ever = AGREED

Submitted by

Kuhlamitee (2 posts)

on January 2, 2010 - 7:16am.

Simone's still as lovely as ever, clearly! I've seen Mandana in some adverts and it kind of threw me... Anyway, I'm glad that they're both still getting some work while raising a family. Good on 'em!

Now, this idea of a reunion: I'm torn. My loud fan-girl side is screaming 'YES! MORE! OHEMBLOODYGEE, YES!", but another part of me likes how neatly they ended their storyline. I've gotten accustomed to their happy ending. I think I'd only want to see more if they were living a happy, chill life, and there wouldn't really be too much of a point in making the series if that's all it were, eh? I have a feeling they'd be all TiBette, y'know? Although if they were just side-characters in the series, I reckon they could get away with having a mostly drama-free relationship...

ARGH! I'M SO INDECISIVE!

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