We Are Lady Parts: Punk, Poignancy, and Pure Joy

There are TV shows, and then there’s We Are Lady Parts—a show so singularly brilliant it feels less like watching and more like being invited into someone’s chaotic, beautiful, punk-as-hell heart. Created by the visionary Nida Manzoor, We Are Lady Parts doesn’t just break tropes—it smashes them with a guitar riff, a sly grin, and a Malala-inspired cowboy punk song.

If you haven’t binged both seasons yet, you’re seriously missing out on what might just be the best show right now.

Found Family, Punk Rock, and So Much More

We Are Lady Parts may be about an all-female Muslim punk band, but at its core, it’s about found family and sisterhood. It explores female agency, queerness in all its complexity, and the layers of being Muslim combined with other intersecting identities. Manzoor captures the beauty of women just being themselves, sprinkling in romance, biting humor, and one-liners so good they could be tattooed: Ain’t no one gonna honor kill my sister but me” has a permanent spot on my Spotify playlist.

Amina’s journey from an anxious scientist to a confident guitarist underscores how personal growth thrives in the embrace of chosen family. Together with Saira, Ayesha, Bisma, and Momtaz, she becomes part of a sisterhood that is as messy, heartfelt, and defiantly punk as their music. But above all, it’s the music—raw, rebellious, and deeply personal—that electrifies the show’s heart.

The Music: A Soundtrack for Rebellion

The music of We Are Lady Parts is a character unto itself. With its original soundtrack blending punk rebellion and cultural specificity, the show serves banger after banger: “Voldemort Under My Headscarf,” “Bashir with the Good Beard,”  “Glass Ceiling Feeling” and “Supercalifraga-racist-sexist-xenophobic.”  It’s the kind of playlist that makes you want to start a band, dye your hair neon, and tear down every patriarchal structure in sight. Every track feels like a middle finger to the system and a love letter to everyone who’s ever felt “too much” or “not enough.”

Season 2 took it up a notch with covers that nobody saw coming, like a punk rendition of “The Reason” by Hoobastank and “Oops!... I Did It Again.” These tracks don’t just punctuate the story—they propel it, turning every episode into a mini-concert that’s equal parts catharsis and chaos.

The cast of We are Lady Parts.

Season 2: Punk Goes Poignant

The sophomore season dives deeper into identity and success, exploring the band’s modest fame and the challenges that come with it. From Amina’s newfound self-confidence to the group’s struggle with recording their debut album, every character arc is a masterclass in balancing humour with heart.

Bisma’s journey, especially her exploration of Blackness within the Muslim community, resonates powerfully. Her candid conversations about her hair reflect deeper questions of self-identity and cultural pride. Meanwhile, the unseen band manager, Momtaz, continues to command attention, her mysterious presence a symbolic rejection of the male gaze.

And then there’s the rival band—a perfect foil that forces our Lady Parts to confront their own insecurities and grow, both as musicians and as a found family. It’s a season that feels richer, sharper, and more unapologetically punk than ever.

Representation That Feels Like a Hug and a Riot

Manzoor’s series reshapes how Muslim women are portrayed on screen, moving beyond stereotypes to show them as complex, relatable, and brimming with humor. In her own words, she aimed to “celebrate the joyfulness of being a Muslim woman,” a sentiment that pulses through every laugh, every song, and every chaotic rehearsal scene.

Behind-the-scene from We Are Lady Parts.

At the center of the show are five incredible women, each navigating the intersections of faith, queerness, and punk rebellion. For the first time, we encounter a dynamic mix of Black and Brown Muslims, queer South Asians, diasporic voices, and punk-loving hijab-wearing women navigating life on their own terms—an electrifying blend rarely seen on screen.

Amina (Anjana Vasan), a shy microbiologist-turned-guitarist, captures the tension of wanting to belong while staying true to yourself. Her journey is as awkward and endearing as it is deeply relatable, reflecting the messy process of self-discovery.

Saira (Sarah Kameela), the band’s gritty frontwoman, holds the group together with sheer will. She’s raw, determined, and endlessly complex, showing us that leadership often means walking the line between control and vulnerability.

Ayesha (Juliette Motamed), with her fierce drumming and quick temper, is the band’s pulse. Her loyalty runs deep, even as she wrestles with showing her softer side, proving that strength can take many forms.

Bisma (Faith Omole), the bassist and cartoonist, brings warmth and insight. Her conversations about her hair, her art, and what it means to be a Black Muslim woman are subtle yet profound, pushing the boundaries of how we see intersectionality on screen.

Then there’s Momtaz (Lucie Shorthouse), the unseen force who keeps the band running. Draped in a niqab, she’s a mystery—sharp, strategic, and unapologetically badass. Her quiet defiance dismantles lazy stereotypes about Muslim women, showing that strength doesn’t need to shout.

Together, these women navigate the chaos of identity, faith, and ambition, carving out a space that feels authentic and deeply moving. They don’t fit neatly into any box—and that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable.

A Triumph in Storytelling

Technically, We Are Lady Parts is as sharp as its writing. Manzoor’s direction is electric, with inventive camerawork and editing that keeps every scene dynamic. The comedy lands hard, but the emotional beats? They hit harder.

And let’s not forget the journey this show took—it started as a short film (Lady Parts), a proof of concept that evolved into one of the most innovative series on TV. If you haven’t watched the short yet, do yourself a favor. It’s all there: the humour, the heart, and yes, Amina’s iconic vomit audition.

Why You Need to Watch It

Hilarious, poignant, and painfully underrated, We Are Lady Parts is everything you didn’t know you needed. It’s a love letter to punk rock, found family, and fearless Muslim women, wrapped in some of the most exciting TV direction and music of recent years. The show’s blend of biting comedy, layered intersectionality, and striking visual style is unmatched. It’s punk rock perfection, offering solace to every misfit.

Nida Manzoor

A Triumphant Finale

Season 2 concludes on a high note, delivering a resonant and satisfying ending. It’s a reminder that the punk rebellion of Lady Parts isn’t just about music—it’s about defying expectations, breaking barriers, and creating space for the stories we didn’t know we were waiting for.

While it feels like the perfect bookend to the story, it also leaves us hopeful for more from Nida Manzoor, whose career trajectory continues to inspire with hits like Polite Society. If there isn’t another season, we’ll be forever grateful for the two perfect ones we got. But if there’s more on the horizon, we’re tuning in—guitars, Malala cowboy hats, and all.

Malala's still from We Are Lady Parts.

The Punk Rebellion We Needed

To paraphrase the show: “Go crank up Bashir with the Good Beard, lean into the chaos, and remember—this is what revolution sounds like.” Whether or not there’s another season, We Are Lady Parts has already made history. And we’re so glad to have been part of the ride.

We could dissect its brilliant twists and unforgettable moments, but We Are Lady Parts deserves to be experienced firsthand. No spoilers here—just trust us and go watch it. You'll thank us later.

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