Maya Jama, Suranne Jones and Gemma Cairney to narrate Gender Rebels

Actress Suranne Jones and presenters Maya Jama and Gemma Cairney have joined author Anneka Harry to narrate her debut book Gender Rebels: 50 Influential Cross-Dressers, Impersonators, Name-Changers, and Game-Changers (W F Howes).

“The all-female narrator line up will give voice to 50 defiant and daring (wo)men who changed their identities and the rules,” the audiobook, digital and large print publisher said. “Spanning politics, religion, arts, social reform and more this brilliant audio adaptation will bring the trail-blazers of history back to life and reveal how forgotten gender rebels have brought radical change and made a difference.” The audiobook will be released on 1st June 2020, after the deal was announced in August.

Acquiring editor Laura Smith said: ‘In Gender Rebels we meet 50 women who acted fearlessly, audaciously and with immense courage... Each woman pushed forward to create their own unique path – breaking down barriers, taking risks, working hard.”

She added: “It seemed only right to bring together four powerful and distinctive voices to tell the stories of the Gender Rebels. Suranne Jones, Maya Jama, Gemma Cairney and Anneka Harry each bring humour, sensitivity, and an unmistakable feminist fire.”

The audiobook also features exclusive interviews with each of the narrators who discuss their own gender rebel heroes and feminist role models.

Jones, who recently starred in BBC drama “Gentleman Jack”, said: “Most of the stories in Gender Rebels will be unfamiliar, so making them a part of our history is crucial. It means so much for people who are experiencing their own complex feelings around gender. Anneka Harry’s humour and insight made it a joy to read.”

James added: “I believe that young women can succeed, no matter where they started from. But girls need to believe in themselves and what they can achieve - which is why I want everyone to listen to Gender Rebels and learn about the people who grabbed life by the balls – girls who hustled, broke the rules, and smashed it.”

Cairney said of of the book: “I had a blast recording the audiobook and it is a thrill to be part of this superstellar power-squad of voices.”

A writer, comedy actor, presenter, and producer, Harry’s work has been featured on BBC, Channel 4, ITV, BBC Radio 4, and in Stylist and Grazia. She is a LGBTQ rights advocate.