Mix Tape

I came across this as it was starting on the BBC, knowing nothing about it. Watched the first episode and then was hooked.

It reflects the period in the 80's well, recreating Sheffield. Varying accuracy of accents aside, it does it well.

The two central characters, as kids, are excellent, as are their adult counterparts.

Theres various issues of the time to deal with, social pressures, dysfunctional family, seemingly loving family, school life, friendship, love, all set to a fairly good soundtrack of 80's indie (ish) music. Nice to see someone with those horrible orange foam headphones on permanently! Theres even a pantomime villain character, scheming away.

I found it refreshing and lovely and was glued to it.

Mixtape (2025) completely won me over. It's one of those shows that sneaks up on you and stays with you long after the credits roll. The characters feel real, the music is incredible, and every episode made me feel something. It captures growing up, falling in love, and figuring out who you are in such a relatable way. I laughed, cried, and kept hitting "next episode" without thinking twice. It's warm, nostalgic, and full of heart. Honestly, it's one of my favourite shows this year and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves stories that feel personal and true.

What makes it even more special is how effortlessly it blends everyday life with a sense of magic and meaning. The friendships, the awkward moments, the big emotions - it all feels genuine. It reminded me of being a teenager again, and how powerful music can be during those years.

My Review - Mixtape Streaming on Foxtel My Rating 8:10

This entertaining and romantic 4 part series set in 1989 Sheffield and Sydney is a production partnership between Ireland and Australia starring Jim Sturgess and Teresa Palmer .

It's a charming old fashioned sliding doors romance where two young lovers through traumatic events separate or escape to different continents and marry different partners .

Young Daniel played by Rory Walton-Smith and young Alison played by Florence Hunt meet in 1989 Sheffield and fall in love as teenagers before life takes them in different directions.

Daniel is left wondering why Alison just packs up and leaves Sheffield without any explanation at all Years later he discovers Alison is a very successful author living in Sydney now married to a doctor with a teenage daughter of her own.

Daniel reconnects with Alison through social media and both begin to wonder if they were meant to be with each other rather than remain in problematical marriages.

They both share the musical memories which were the soundtrack of their romance .

I thoroughly enjoyed Mixtape it's romantic touching and it's really nice to watch a four part series that's not violent or over sexualised with really likeable characters.

Top marks to Director Lucy Gaffy and Jo Spain the screenplay writer they have created a relatable and charming contemporary love story .

I really enjoyed this series, acting was really good, storyline was suprpsing not only about love story of Alison and Dan. I just couldn't accept that adult Alison was playing Teresa Palmer, all this time I could see Lily James as the older version. Nevertheless she was good just didn't match with her younger self. Jim Sturgess as always shines on the screen, young actors are amazing. Music is great however I missed having more of it. I was thinking it will be in the centre of the story as the title suggests, I simply didn't have enough of it as it was really great one, it transported me to my youth.

I've given it a 10 because not much makes me cry, but this did. The story is close to my own and hit some raw nerves. But even if it wasn't that way I think it was superb. True the adult characters are not quite old enough but relax into it, enjoy a great story and absorb the amazing music. The intertwining of 1988 and present day is seamlessly done. A superb production, will there be a season 2? Probably doesn't need one.