Jameela Jamil Shakes Up History With New Podcast ‘Mistresses’

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Jameela Jamil is attempting to free from the description of being mere ‘mistresses.’ Her new podcast, hosted by Jamil, with Dr. Kate Lister on Audible UK, is making waves, and the listeners are just hooked. The show tells the stories of powerful women reduced to footnotes in history simply because they were attached to men. Judging by people’s responses, this is certainly not a boring history lesson their grandmothers would remember.

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The promotional image is as cheeky as the concept of the show. Jamil wears a bright yellow dress with a chunky statement necklace and an equally strong attitude against a pale backdrop. The bright bubblegum-pink text, “Mistresses! Out Now,” demands attention- quite apt for a show that refuses to let the stories of these women fade away.

The podcast is unstoppable in popularity. One listener gave two episodes top marks, adding that Jamil’s French accent was almost on par with the bilingual kill. Another even called it ‘the content I have been dreaming of,’ just to underline that the comedic spin makes history come alive. And be honest, when was the last time anyone called a history podcast ‘top tier’ followed by some fire emojis? Exactly.

The chemistry between the two is certainly a selling point. One supporter couldn’t stop waxing lyrical about the relationship, throwing added spice into the mix courtesy of guest contributor @thehistorygossip. The shouts for subsequent seasons are already flowing in; one listener has ‘devoured’ the entire series and is craving for more. Train rides will now gain a whole new glow, as one commentator has already sorted their commute out, all thanks to the show.

Yet it is not all roses and praise. One commenter reminded everyone of another woman in history erased from consideration: Einstein’s first wife, who worked on his physics but was wiped away herself in history. A stark reminder: the stories of these wiped-out women are far bigger and wider than mistresses. And just so all are aware, there’s no word yet on a Spotify release; have pop rights been snatched up exclusively by Audible?

Jameela has wrestled with many narratives before, from body positivity to now historical erasure; the podcast simply seems to have happened naturally, just with more cheeky humor and fewer filters. And going by the reception, she aced it. Never had history been so fun, so loud, and so unapologetically feminist.

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If you’ve grown weary of the dusty accounts about ‘great men,’ ‘Mistresses’ will be just the thing to kick off your romance. Just don’t blame Jamil if you start to side-eye your history textbooks afterward.