Sugar Rush

Sugar Rush is an Emmy Award–winning British television comedy drama series developed by Shine Limited and broadcast by Channel 4, based on the Julie Burchill novel of the same name. It follows the trials and tribulations of teenager Kim Daniels, who is dealing with all the usual adolescent issues, plus one - she thinks she might be gay. Her family has recently moved to Brighton from London, and she finds herself with a huge crush on her new best friend, Maria `Sugar' Sweet. Sugar has a bit of a wild side, and frequently gets Kim into trouble, though Kim can find trouble on her own as well. Despite attractions to other girls, and a few attempts at being interested in guys, Kim continues to long for Sugar.

Sugar Rush (2005-2006) is a British teen dramedy created by Katie Baxendale and Julie Burchill for Channel 4, adapted from Burchill's novel of the same name. Across two seasons of ten episodes each, the story follows Kim Daniels (Olivia Hallinan), a teenager whose family has moved from London to Brighton. Kim is dealing with the usual adolescent pressures, plus the dawning realisation that she may be gay. Her engine is an all-consuming crush on her new best friend, Maria 'Sugar' Sweet (Lenora Crichlow), a magnetic, reckless girl who keeps pulling Kim into scrapes, though Kim finds trouble on her own too. Supporting roles from Richard Lumsden as Nathan and Sara Stewart as Stella widen the circle of school, home and nightlife. Each episode is built from small social catastrophes, clumsy romantic attempts with boys, and nights out that test loyalty. The tone is cheeky and frank, with dark comedy undercutting raw adolescent longing. Fans of Skins, Heartstopper and Clueless will find resonance in its candid portrait of queer youth, friendship intensity and the chaos of growing up on the English coast.

• Skins (2007)coming of age teen drama with queer romantic longing and British youth milieu
• Cluelessteenage friendship, first attractions and wild best-friend dynamics in a British teen comedy drama
• Heartstopperadolescent queer awakening told with comedic and dramatic tone

Created by

Katie Baxendale, Julie Burchill

Release Date

2005-06-07

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.7 / 10 (44)

What is Sugar Rush about?

A teenage girl who has just moved to Brighton finds herself falling hard for her wild new best friend, Sugar.

What is Sugar Rush like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sugar Rush as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Sugar Rush violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Sugar Rush as mild.

Which shows are like Sugar Rush?

Shows with a similar feel include Skins (2007), Clueless, and Heartstopper.

How long is Sugar Rush?

Sugar Rush: 2 seasons, 20 episodes.

Is Sugar Rush still running?

No, Sugar Rush has ended.