The BBC has made all five episodes of its landmark trans documentary series A Change of Sex available on iPlayer.
The show, first broadcast in 1979, followed the transition of Julia Grant in what was a mainstream broadcast first on UK television.
Cameras followed Grant, who sadly died of cancer in 2019, over the course of 20 years as she underwent surgery and encountered hostile social attitudes.
David Pearson, director of the documentaries, said: "Julia was a remarkable person and made a big impression on those who met her or saw the films about her struggles to be the person she wanted to be.
"Funny, dramatic, surprising, and moving are all phrases that have been used by others to describe Julia's unfolding story. She is seen by many as a pathfinder, and the films have acquired something of a mysterious cult following.
"Still, so many years later, I'm often asked how the films can be seen; by younger people who have heard others speak about them or by the original viewers who wanted to re-experience or refer to them.
"Parents with trans children, doctors, psychologists, and those interested in social history have all wanted to view them.
"Above all, the many viewers who found Julia's courage and preparedness to take on bureaucracy and prejudice to live as she had identified herself, uplifting and inspirational.
"I'm delighted that the BBC, who boldly allowed me to follow her story over so many years, is now making all the films available."
Sandra Gorel, editorial executive at iPlayer, added: "A Change of Sex was a ground-breaking series about a transgender pioneer and icon, first shown at a time when nothing like it had ever appeared on mainstream TV before.
"Julia's story captivated audiences when it was first broadcast, and it's still incredibly powerful more than four decades later. I hope new audiences to the series will be as enthralled and moved by Julia as I was, and I'm delighted it's now available on BBC iPlayer for people to discover."
A Change of Sex is available now on BBC iPlayer.
Neil Wilkes
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