Is BBC’s new gay drama starring Lennie James worth a watch? (2024)

Mr Loverman opens on a dance floor where we meet Barrington (Lennie James) and Morris (Ariyon Bakare) jiving to the sweet sounds of Susan Cadogan's 'Hurt so Good'.

That's all we're willing to tease about this bittersweet, extraordinary drama, except to add that this carefree moment of peace and fulfilment is both indicative and contradictory of Barry and Morris' love.

The adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo's 2013 best-selling novel of the same name traces the tender love story between these two men spanning 60 years.

Barry and Morris' feelings for one another present as an oxymoron in Mr Loverman; at its core, their bond is natural, easy and carefree, yet the external pressure of obligation and societal norms have forced them to be closeted, which injects their relationship with discomfort and discord.

Yet pleasingly, their devotion to one another is basically Heartstopper (if Nick and Charlie were two aged Black men who grew up in a different era, with different pressures and expectations placed on them).

Is BBC’s new gay drama starring Lennie James worth a watch? (1)

The chemistry between the two leads is fundamental for a moving portrayal of their story and James and Bakare's spark is crushingly flawless. They masterfully tell so much with so little, betraying Barry and Morris' intimacy with the smallest of moves and fleeting glances. Their exchange is like a dance (more often than not like that opening scene).

Their feelings for one another feel even more glaringly obvious when intercut with scenes between Barry and his wife Carmel (Sharon D Clarke).

Carmel's pain, frustration and resentment is grounded in her physicality as Carmel wades through scenes carrying the weight of her disappointment in every stride.

In fact, every part of the ensemble earns their place. Daughters Donna (Sharlene Whyte) and Maxine (Tamara Lawrance) couldn't be more different and yet both personalities have been heavily influenced by the ramifications of Barry, Morris and Carmel's unintentional love triangle.

Is BBC’s new gay drama starring Lennie James worth a watch? (2)

Death in Paradise's Tahj Miles brings both the comedy and some very real moments that provoke deep exploration of identity, sexuality and maturity.

Miles and James share some stunning scenes together that are painful but necessary to watch. A similar thing can be said of Lawrance and James, whose on-screen father-daughter bond delivers some precious moments.

We weren't really convinced by the voiceover; nor were we convinced by the execution of blending of comedy and deep drama.

Mr Loverman swings between making us chuckle and moving us deeply, however, the synergy between the two feels less harmonious and more like it can't quite decide what it wants to be.

Is BBC’s new gay drama starring Lennie James worth a watch? (3)

However, in their separate corners, the emotive notes hold strong as do the comedic ones, especially when Carmel's group of friends make an appearance.

The show's depiction of gay sex is also commendable. It doesn't shy away from their passion with a camera panned over to some discarded boxers. It holds steady, sucking us into their intimate moments in a similar way to Lost Boys and Fairies – which is rare to see in romances where the couple are elderly, especially when they're queer. Even rarer with Black men.

It plays a part in painting their complete love story – complicated, painful yet full of devout love that spills out into steamy passion.

By the end of Mr Loverman, you'll feel as though you've watched something earnest and raw and though there are a few loose strings, they feel purposeful and true to life's perfectly imperfect nature.

Is BBC’s new gay drama starring Lennie James worth a watch? (4)

Mr Loverman, based on the novel by Bernadine Evaristo, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday, October 14.

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Janet A Leigh

TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.

Is BBC’s new gay drama starring Lennie James worth a watch? (2024)
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