User reviews

As someone who, as part of a gay couple, went through the process of adopting children, I watched this with interest. I expected some emotional scenes, but this really pushed some buttons for me. The acting throughout is exceptional, as is, by and large, the balance between humour and drama. The chap who plays Gabriel, Sion Daniel Young, has an excellent singing voice, and his performances throughout the series are really profound. In particular, I've never heard, "A Little Respect" by Erasure, performed in this way, with such an odd time signature. It adds a whole new depth to the song.

My criticism is that this drama, in order to tell the story satisfactorily, requires three mini-series, not just three episodes. Each of these episodes could be developed further. Without spoiling, the end of episode 2 is SUCH a curveball! Just when you think you've cried enough, you're in buckets again, and episode three has its work cut out going through the issues created by a few brief moments in episode two, so that it can resolve satisfactorily. I suppose that if I were marking it as an essay, I'd say the last episode especially was rushed, because there was just too much going on in episode two. But thankfully, it does resolve beautifully. As other reviewers have said, "Pass The Tissues!" Absolutely beautiful.

I could not recommend this more, the first couple of episodes were so amazing, incredibly funny and thoughtful - the last two were guttural and raw; relatable and provoking.

An emotional rollercoaster, a brilliant one to watch with parents/family etc who might not be so understanding or educated on queer issues.

Many different issues covered from drug use, violence within the home, homophobic and transphobia. Bits emphasis on grief.

The acting was incredible and I really do hope this is nominated for several awards as the two lead gentlemen, social worker, foster mum and child were all amazing.

I don't think I've ever felt moved to write a review on IMDB, nor have I ever scored anything 10 as one never knows when one might watch something truly perfect. This a solid nine, and I'm quite cross decimals aren't permitted as it almost warrants a perfect score. I binged episodes 2 and 3 today after seeing the first episode last night as it was broadcast. This mini-series is a thing of great beauty. It will put you through extreme emotional highs and lows, but at the end of it you will emerge a better person and perhaps understand that you and all your terrifying emotional baggage are not alone. As Philip Larkin explains: what will survive of us is love. Forget the Kleenex, have an abundance of extra absorbent 3 ply kitchen towels to hand.

I have just finished watching Lost Boys and Fairies and I have to say it is absolutely brilliant.

I love as emotional with every episode , though the final episode had me sobbing like a baby. It is both funny and moving in equal measure at times it is dark too.

Tha acting is top notch and so believable at for the man character is unlikeable but by episode 3 I had fallen in love with him and wanted him to pull through his turmoil.

I had been recommended to watch it by a friend but I was not expecting to love it so much. I came away from watching it and still thinking about the amazing storyline and emotion I had felt on this journey. It is really one of the best things I've watched on tv in a long time.

I just watched the first episode and am gripped. The acting from everyone is faultless and the story telling spot on. The Direction is also top notch.

Well done BBC for providing such excellence, for once!

The theme of fostering is very emotive and I was biting my lip for much of it.

I can't wait to watch the remaining two episodes.

I highly recommend this.

I'm going to copy and paste due to IMBD's stupid character limit.

I just watched the first episode and am gripped. The acting from everyone is faultless and the story telling spot on. The Direction is also top notch.

Well done BBC for providing such excellence, for once!

The theme of fostering is very emotive and I was biting my lip for much of it.

I can't wait to watch the remaining two episodes.

I highly recommend this.

This show was an absolute roller coaster. I was a mess by the time it was over.

Some scenes, especially in first episode, are just so spectacularly funny. Andy's mum 'tidying' had me in stitches. You'll know it when you see it!

Gabe's dark past, and sometimes present, is graphic and compelling viewing.

The emotion of the final episode will break even the coldest heart.

The whole cast were perfect. Every single character was believable. In addition to Andy and Gabe, the social worker and birth mum delivered some spectacular acting.

Cannot recommend this show enough. Set aside enough time to binge as you will watch the whole thing at once.

I've never given a show or move a 10 before. I went back and watched the whole series again looking for a flaw, any flaw, to bring the score down and I just couldn't find one. The direction and pacing are perfect. The interwoven musical sequences add value and are never overdone.

Sion Daniel Young and Fra Fee play Gabriel and Andy, a gay couple looking to adopt and while Andy is full steam ahead, Gabiel is struggling with unresolved trauma that informs his every waking moment. The chemistry between the leads is electric and the raw and honest sharp edges of a relationship is examined, and insecurities, pain and so much love is revealed underneath.

Gwyneth Keyworth in her role as birth mother, in the short time she is on screen, is captivating - daring us to look away. My heart tore with every forced and nervous smile she gave. Elizabeth Berrington as the social worker and Arwel Gruffydd and the queer elder\sage don't miss a note. The actor playing the teenage Gabriel has little or no lines so all of the acting had to take place behind his eyes, and what a treat it is to witness.

Fra Fee as Andy, the father in waiting, is so believable you will want him to be your Dad. But for all of that, the night belongs to Sion Danial Young who gave a flawless performance of a very flawed human being.

A stunning piece of television.

I was just going through the TV channels, looking for something to watch, and I saw the name of this show; I liked that so read the synopsis and decided to watch it. I didn't watch any trailers.

The first episode had me enthralled! I loved all the characters, and their storylines were involving. It was an impressive start!

The next two episodes were even better.

The acting is incredible. The cinematography is very cleverly done. The soundtrack is fantastic. And the storyline is emotive and intelligent.

I really can't recommend this highly enough.

Have tissues handy.

An absolutely stunningly beautiful masterpiece of story telling. Get your tissues out and prepare to be blown away. For someone who grew up in the same section 28 era, this really struck a chord. Each actor is phenomenal in their role and the storyline is so compelling to watch. Each episode really knows how to draw you in and the little boy who plays Jake is a great find, he was brilliant in his role. It's amazing what can be packed into three hour long episodes, every minute relevant and beautifully told. This is a must see programme and I highly recommend everyone binge on iPlayer as soon as they can!!

After watching episode one I was really looking forward to the next two episodes. Unfortunately, the following episodes are an utterly miserable affair.

The portrayal of gay men in Cardiff is completely unrealistic, it's as if an observer from another planet has written and produced a drama about a culture he or she doesn't know or understand and is certainly not part of.

This drama has some impressive musical numbers but the writing and production reeks of desperation.

This production also has certain political & linguistic undertones that are more suited to north and west Wales and not Cardiff.

A heartrending rollercoaster of a show, this is an extremely well written/direected/acted 3 parter with a massive heart. Depictions of deep and honest love, self hate/self-destruction, forgiveness, grief, and joy, are depicted without pulling any punches. It's emotionally raw in the best way, so bring a box of tissues. It's also the best depiction of social work in action I've ever seen dramatised. If I had one criticism it would be that it could easily (and probably to its benefit) have been extended to 5 or even 6 episodes. The whole thing feels very dense, but even so the result is just stunning!

Don't miss this!

Such a creative production with a mixture of surrealism and fantasy, but conveying a message of love and trust and emotions - the two leads being made for their parts, but I have to say Gwyneth Keyworth as the birth mother of Jake was completely superb in her one scene... what a character and what a delivery, truly the kind of acting which should propel her to dizzy heights... facial expressions with the tiniest changes to show what was going on inside her head, with a bravado of cheek and swearing to cover-up what she really felt. Watch out for her in episode three.

Well done to all involved... reminders of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in the bar scenes, and that's not a bad thing. And also proof that straight actors can play gay characters, just as gay actors can play straight characters (it's called 'acting'!)

On the most part I enjoyed watching this series, the subject matter of a gay couple wanting to adopt is something not really seen on the TV. The acting was great throughout most of the series - esp by the lead characters.

I like the bluntness of the script, it felt like real life - You get a good idea of all the emotions, thoughts, feeling any couple would be going through no matter of their sexual orientation.

Some of the script was a little stereotypical of the gay life style and how gay men in particular are seen, which grated on me a little at times. But it brought up so many positive and thought provoking subjects besides adoption. I'm fully aware that this is for TV so its got to be dramatized like pretty much everything on TV.

I would recommend watching this, and I will most probably give it another watch in a few weeks time. I hope to see these actors in other roles as they were truly great!

This limited emotional rollercoaster of a series from the BBC should be lauded for its superb portrayal by the performances of all the principal actors involved and all the production team who brought this to life.

The story centers around the long term relationship of Gabriel (Gabe) and and Andrew (Andy) who are at a point in their lives where a mutual decision is made to begin the adoption process to complete their union.

Many factors of abandonment are explored in both their characters which both infuse and create conflict between their motivations and desires to become a family.

Their pasts impact greatly on how the process of "choosing" and to "be chosen" by a child to complete their union is both emotional and taxing on their relationship that initially appears "one sided" but eventually presents itself as a "co-dependant" one that resonates throughout the series.

You will find yourself both laughing and crying in equal measures throughout all three episodes and without giving away any spoilers, you will definitely need the tissues for the third instalment.

You will hopefully find this series a thought provoking and uplifting exploration of the the meaning of "family" that we are not only born with, but create for ourselves, that generates a sense of well being and fulfilment that we all hope to have in our lifetime.

I cannot recommend this series highly enough and hope it's recognised for the plaudits it deserves.

P. S. Keep the tissues on hand.

This mini-series totally deserves a 10-stars rating. It is in fact, in all its complexity, a fallen star- it shines, makes you wonder, and it gives you hope for the future.

There are no right words to describe it, there are just lines and lines of slurred letters scattered on a canvas. And they all together create this wonderful cinematic exposition.

If you managed to come across 'Lost Boys & Fairies" and there is something in your gut telling you to watch it- DO IT. Those 3 hours were a total rollercoaster of emotions, and surely you hear that a lot, about a lot of films and tv shows. But 'Lost Boys & Fairies' is not a simple show, as cliché as this sounds. During its duration of 3 hours, it often feels intimate. It offers breath-taking scenes amazingly portrayed, it offers joy and grief, and it is wonderful how we were given such a closure after everything that happens.

Of course, the story is not finished. It is incomplete, it left me wanting more, but it is also...cyclic, and it is giving the show the best ending. It is heartbreaking, and heartwarming. It attacks your heart with every line the actors so perfectly deliver, it attacks your brain with the subjects it grasps: self-acceptance, grief, addiction, losing your lifeline, queerness and its broad spectrum, reconcilliation.

It truly is a show for absolutely anyone, it has something for anyone. You will certainly find yourself relating to at least one character. So give it a go, give it 3 hours to play with your heart.

My Review-

Lost Boys & Fairies Streaming on Stan My score. 9:10

It's so refreshing these days to see credible authentic LGBTQ characters and meaningful stories that should appeal to anyone with a heart and soul on mainstream television.

This is a contemporary family story beautifully directed and performed which would have been impossible to tell a few decades ago.

Why ? Because the concept of two men in a loving relationship being legally able to adopt a child let alone be considered a family by society would have stretched fantasy beyond anything that Walt Disney could imagine.

Gabriel a popular drag club performer played to perfection by Welsh actor Sion Daniel Young and his more reserved partner of eight years Andy played with equal charm by Irish actor Fra Fee want to add to their family and consider adopting a child.

They meet Jackie their Social Worker played delightfully by Elizabeth Berrington who is fully in their corner but warns them about the vetting process and what they're up against. It's not simple and very exhausting and far more complex than choosing a pet .

This 3 part series moves along at great pace I wanted more episodes I was enjoying it so much .

Gabriel and Andy go through the emotional process of realising that choices have consequences in relationships .

Especially for Andy especially who is confronted with his excessive drug use and his own early childhood trauma at losing his mother and being raised by a homophobic father.

The couple think they would be more suited to adopt a daughter but when they turn up with their advocate Jackie for the interview process along with other applicants they are won over by Jake a foster child who has been removed from a violent father.

As the series moves on Gabriel and Andy's views on adopting Jake begin to differ especially when Gabriel's dysfunctional behaviour creates pressure on their relationship.

Gabriel a lost boy himself is determined to adopt Jake even without the support of Andy this leads to a dramatic conclusion.

Leo Harris who plays the irascible but charismatic young Jake must be applauded for one of the best juvenile performances in recent years.

Lost Boys & Fairies directed by James Kent and written by Daf James is a must see for all mature adults.

The music is absolutely fabulous the mood while dealing with serious contemporary issues is at times light and very humorous.

I was reminded of the classic 1998 Torch Song Trilogy similar story without the New York Jewish character..

Wow, TV like this is so rare. Utterly gripping from the get go. The two main characters, Gabriel and Andy are so watchable and engaging. We follow them on their journey to adopt a child.

As a gay adopted boy myself I've never seen anything like this on TV or film before. What a treat it was to find this gem of a show packed with so many laughs, gripping drama and gut punching emotion.

There is a lot of darkness in this show needled through all the joy and humour. Sion Young, Fra Fee, Sharon D Clarke and Elizabeth Berrington are a superlative cast. Sion gives a mesmerising performance.

Best drama I've seen since It's a Sin. Lost Boys & Fairies is a must watch. The queer characters brought to life in this are written with such power and wit, Russell T Davies himself could have penned this.

Sublime on every level. Beautiful.

It is a bitter sweet review, which I never write. After watching all three episodes. I had mixed emotions. There is no question that this has to be one of the best dramas I have seen in years. It had everything, then when it obviously was coming to an end. I found myself checking to make sure it was just three episodes. Unfortunatly, it is. The acting and story is Bafa worthy.

I'm just so upset with myself. Now we have binge series, which to be honest are forgettable and throw away. I didn't space this out. But I did watch it straight away again after the last episode.

Every character is believable and it's a wounder story about love and loss.

10/10 an absolute must watch. Heartbreaking rollercoaster of a show that I cannot recommend enough. From complex, nuanced characters, to real strong character growth, not to mention incredible acting and cinematography. Lost Boys & Fairies is the BBC being excellent as usual with limited run series. The series pulls you into the story and is able to immerse you in the characters lives and backstories. From the issues of drug abuse, domestic violence and homophobia covered in a relatively realistic manner, to the role that childhood trauma can manifest in the lives of people. This series is guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings.