I’ve had a few people ask me for information about Jill Nalder, the LGBTQ+ rights activist upon whom Lydia West’s character in #ItsASin, also called Jill, was based.

A fun fact, Jill Nalder played fictional Jill’s mum in the series!

So, strap in, it’s time for a Twitter thread!

Jill Nalder is an actress who trained at Mountview from 1982-85, studying Acting & Musical Theatre.

She has spent 35 years performing in British theatre, amassing an array of credits, most notably starring in Les Mis, the show the #ItsASin French Revolution musical is based on.

Jill first met Russell T Davies (the writer of #ItsASin) at youth theatre when they were both 14, and though a few years later she moved to London to pursue acting, they remained close.

Jill named her London flat “the Pink Palace”, the same name given to the flat in the show.

Around her various roles, Jill took part in several late night performances fundraising for AIDS research.

She was a tireless activist for both her West End colleagues and the community as a whole, later also arranging her own concerts to help support friends living with AIDS.

In addition, she made frequent hospital visits to the men who were victims of the disease, some of whom she knew, some she didn’t, so they had company in their final days.

Russell T Davies has been overwhelmingly complimentary about her impact during the crisis.

Outside of activism, Jill’s career has gone from strength to strength, including two multi-year runs in Les Mis, during the second of which she also covered Madame Thenardier.

Since 2005 she has mostly been directing & starring in “WestEnders”, concerts featuring West End stars.

When it came to casting #ItsASin, in a loving tribute to his friend, Jill was asked by Russell to play the fictional Jill’s mother.

Several cast members have said positive things about Jill, including Lydia West, who played the fictionalised version of of Jill.

While Jill Nalder has stressed that the character of Jill in #ItsASin is an amalgamation of several different people and that many people - not just her - deserve credit, she has stated that there is truth in her depiction in the show.

Russell is less forgiving of her modesty.

Jill Nalder’s work, activism and selflessness during one of the worst crises the LGBTQ+ community has faced undoubtedly made a huge impact on many people living with AIDS.

Her values and her strength are such an inspiration, and we should all strive to be more like Jill

Since I made this thread, an interview with Jill in the Metro has come out which fascinatingly documents her work and the support she offered to friends and colleagues during the height of the AIDS crisis.

It's well worth reading! https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/29/im-honoured-to-be-part-of-its-a-sin-both-as-actor-and-inspiration-13980860/#share-item-13985756-222