Mr Loverman

I wonder just how good the rest of the cast were because WOW! WOW! WOW! A tour de force with knobs on performance from Lennie James which has awards stamped all over it.

The story unfolds visiting the different characters so you must watch all episodes to follow and understand the story.

I can't throw enough superlatives at this. Just watch it.please.

I am forced to write more about this by imdb but really, more words do this no justice. I hate telling you what the story is about which must, by its very nature, contain spoilers which would be out of context with the series.

A coming og age perhaps.

Mr. Loverman is a heartfelt, character-driven drama that masterfully explores love, identity, and the deep regrets of living a life in secrecy. Lennie James delivers a standout performance as Barry Walker, a 74-year-old gay Black man torn between his long-time marriage and his true love, Morris, played by Ariyon Bakare. Sharon D. Clarke shines as Barry's wife, Carmel, bringing depth to a woman who has silently endured years of betrayal. The series is a rare portrayal of elderly Black gay love, delving into the emotional and societal costs of inauthenticity.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Hackney, London, the show immerses us in the complexity of Barry's life, touching on themes of homophobia, misogyny, and intergenerational conflict. The flashbacks, showing Barry's and Morris's painful past in both Antigua and the UK, underscore the heavy trauma they carry. While updated to reflect modern-day issues like gentrification and same-sex marriage, the series stays true to its roots in examining the difficulties of coming out, especially within the Black community.

Despite some clunky dialogue and underdeveloped supporting characters, Mr. Loverman excels in capturing the emotional tension between Barry, Morris, and Carmel. The chemistry between James and Bakare is palpable, making their hidden relationship all the more poignant. Meanwhile, the strained dynamic between Barry and Carmel is both heartbreaking and raw, showcasing the bitter toll of deception.

The show bravely addresses the struggles of being an old, gay Black man, particularly through scenes where Barry grapples with violent memories and societal rejection. It highlights not only the personal cost of living inauthentically but also the enduring resilience of love.

Series is a necessary, timely exploration of Black queer love, and its sincere, thought-provoking approach will resonate with viewers seeking a more nuanced story of love, self-acceptance, and the courage to live truthfully.

Wow. Just wow. I accidentally stumbled upon this magnificent gem and how delighted I am. Beautifully shot with excellent performances by all, I was truly surprised how much story was tightly packed into each 30 minute episodes (I didn't score a 10 simply because of my selfish desire to see these characters for 60 minutes).

The story authentically captures the essence of West Indian life (the music, the accent and nuances of speech, slang words, the cultural sensitivities, food, and the deep influence of religion) as well as the immigrant experience (prohibition on speaking patois by youngsters, youngsters struggling to straddle both worlds - that of their family and that of their adopted home). The emotions are raw and runs deep.

When people are prohibited from living as their true authentic selves due to fear of ostracism or death, they are more inclined to enter into relationships for cover which creates more hurt and deceit. This series is a gift of remembrance to the many unknown men and women who suffered in silence and forced to live inauthentic lives.

This is a riveting drama and superb acting from all the cast, extremely well written with characters you really get to know and appreciate for who they are or pretend to be. It does not shy away from controversy either and handles the prejudices of the characters with both touching realism tinged with humour and sadness. Lennie James simply surpasses himself in his portrayal of a closeted gay man who is caught between his family and secret lover and understandable split loyalties. Set in the London Borough of Hackney and on the Island of Antigua, I cannot recommend this drama highly enough. Enjoy!

This series is based on a book. However, the screenplay itself uses a very childishly write script to bring it to the screen. The story could easily have been told in two episodes but instead has been dragged out by using eight episodes. The dialog is stilted and often irrelevant. It's really difficult to imagine any West Indian person using some of the words and dialogue that one hears. At times, it all gets a bit too silly and the FF button gets heavy use to move things along. The acting really isn't that great, and at times comes across as very amateurish.