User reviews

I really enjoyed watching the series - excellent casting - Johnny Flynn and Roisin Gallagher (and Jenn Murray's Gemma made me laugh out loud through her mannerisms ) and there's great chemistry between the two leads. Not the usual boy meets girl storyline which involves attempted suicide, abortion, Christianity and sectarian politics all set in Belfast. Definitely give it a go. I would like to see a second series from Sky - I hope they don't do that Netflix thing of not following through - which is so irritating. Carry on the with he story development - it's an interesting premise, and as I said before the leads are great.

I'm laid up with a horrible cold so I binged watched them all in 1 morning.

Having visited Belfast a few times back in my youth, I like seeing places I've been to on the screen.

I'd seen the male lead from Emma, but the female lead is just so heartbreakingly real, & strong, & vulnerable, she won me over in the first 10 minutes. I actually cared about her and rooted for her right the way through.

I kind of thought I knew where it was going to go but, I didn't see it coming.

Janet & Seamus were believable and they had great on screen chemistry. He's more than a bit of a prat but I liked their journey.

Funny, sexy, make you laugh, make you cry telly. Well worth a watch.

Despite the title and the poster it's not super romantic, traditionally. Less cute romcom, more chaotic romcom. Generally speaking, it gets better as it goes, especially once you get acquainted with the characters. The main character, in particular, takes a while to warm up to, even now that I've finished the season. However, he does feel like a genuinely relatable person, or like a real person, and that's a good thing. It's not as if he was written to be anything other than himself. The tension between the two main characters felt awkward, yet it seemed realistic and added to the authenticity of the show.

The story isn't overly complex or convoluted. You can sense a twist coming later on, but it's not grandiose or mind-blowing, but it maintains a believable quality. The humor isn't riotous, but it does have a simple genuine feel. British humor. Music is occasionally used to enhance this, especially in the first episode. Towards the end, it's less about humor and more about the affair, the show's vibe keeps a balanced tone without going overboard. The series doesn't try to do too much in general.

If you're not accustomed to watching British sitcoms like this, I'd recommend starting with something like "Catastrophe" first. It's a better introduction and helps you get accustomed to the humor and style. The title "The Lovers" can be a bit misleading, so if the first episode doesn't resonate with you, it's probably best to skip the rest. However, if you do like it, then by all means, continue watching. I think the first episode's a good test.

This show is fantastic. It's one of those shows where the acting absolutely makes or breaks it, and in this case it soars. Not that the writing isn't good, because it is, but in the hands of lesser actors it could have come off as corny or wooden. Luckily, Johnny Flynn and Roisin Gallagher have amazing chemistry and do so much to convey awkwardness, longing and nervousness. The effect is absolutely charming. The added political implications of the Belfast setting (no spoilers!) helps to add a bit of depth to the story and will hopefully provide more layers to be explored in Season 2. I would personally love to come back to these characters and see where the story takes them next, especially after the events of the finale.

I cannot recommend this show enough. It's a sweet story of two people from different backgrounds, and I promise you the acting is worth it. I was enchanted throughout.

Unbelievably reassuring of the reality of love at first sight. Both lead actors are perfectly cast in a slightly deviated form of the classic romcom genre.

After just the first 3 episodes, (half) I am hooked and I only never binged the series as It was so late I just had to tear myself away.

I'm confident however, that the entire series will keep folk hooked as much as it has me. And I'm fairly sure that I am indeed in love with Roisin Gallagher now. Both lead characters carry the show and the wonderful Alice Eve also adds a certain something with some excellent dialogue.

Watch it, you won't be disappointed, and here's hoping there's a season 2 in the offing!

Funny as hell, serious without being melodramatic. Sensitive, awkward, unexpected at times, honest, witty, blunt, intelligent

The chemistry between the two protagonists is magnetic. You can actually feel the desire and longing they have for one another .I was literally holding my breath at certain moments while they were gazing at each other's eyes.

The filming and location is beautiful, especially Ireland. The pacing is quick, except for the last episode, in my opinion of course

I am guessing that season two (if there will be one) will pursue the things that divide them, religion, politics, even more.

A delightful mix of humour (some of it dark humour), relationship building & breaking, religion & secularity, against a background of personal mental strife and potential suicide. All set in present-day Belfast but with the history & unresolved issues still dividing communities starkly visible.

Two very different people falling in love, two similarish people falling out of love, fame (or not), vindictiveness, empathy & understanding, the absurdity of the news, politics & entertainment worlds, the everyday absurdities of a supermarket & its staff, all combine to create immediate recognition in the viewer.

Tightly written, tightly directed, well photographed and superbly well acted - this is a gem. The leads are believable, sexy, intelligent, witty, supporting cast each perfect in their own ways.

There have been some truly terrible shows that have come out over the last 4-5 years to the point that I'm pleasantly surprised when one isn't terrible.

If you have a dark sense of humour, most of this show is for you. I was absolutely hooked from the set up in ep 1 when she's ready to shoot her self and Seamus not-so-gracefully interrupts her. I gave a genuine laugh.

I also really liked the general premise of their different worlds coming together. So similar and yet so far apart.

And that's where the unfortunate part also comes in. It's impossible to tell if the writers are for real or if they're just taking the piss when they have Seamus and Frankie's repeat mentions of "male feminism" and other topics along those lines. When they eventually get to Seamus screaming that he became a journalist to "speak truth to power" there is no way to tell if this is pure satire or not.

Sadly, I lean towards it not being satire and that's depressing. When even dark comedies begin with that nonsense and you can't tell whether it's meant to be mocking, something is wrong.

Finally, trying to cram in religion and have people doubling down on Janet not acting like a Christian isn't nearly as funny or witty as the writers appear to think it was. Once more, if something isn't there to further the story, remove it. The ridiculous catch phrases that have infiltrated my generation and younger are just painful and they distract from a reasonably entertaining story.

Do I recommend the Lovers overall? Yes. The two leads actually have nice chemistry with one another and the opposites attract plot actually feels reasonably organic and believable.

Having just watched Jack Ryan, and The Lionesses, spec ops, I was bowled over by this totally absorbing comedy drama. This had me laughing out loud, and then sat in thought about religion, politics and life in general. What a fantastic, touching, 6 episodes. Well done to all the folk that had a part in this. Loved it!

The writing of this was sublime, a love story with a dark twist, an earthy Notting Hill. The acting; little subtle looks, smiles and touches had me truly absorbed. What a cast....perfect.

Two worlds, two people, this had me almost punching the air, or wiping away a tear. I do not usually watch this sort of thing as action and sci fi are my thing.

If you want to watch anything this year, watch this.

If half stars were allowed, I would give this a 7.5. I enjoyed the premise, but there was no chemistry between the two main actors. Without that chemistry, it was hard to buy into all of the urgency and sacrifices that were made. I enjoyed the Seamus character, but Janet was a bit one-note. I don't know if there will be a second season, but I would watch it despite my low-level disappointment.

I also was intrigued by the England/Ireland subplot. As an American I have only a little knowledge of The Troubles, and this show made it easy to see how far-reaching the conflict has been.

Overall, enjoyed it, but was a bit let down by the lack of chemistry, which is the foundation of all that follows.

I saw the advertising for this and thought it looked interesting. It had two actors which I love, Johnny Flynn and Alice Eve, and was set in Belfast which having studied global uprisings and conflicts as well have having visited I always love watching f shows where you can see the familiar streets and images. So I settled in for a light rom-com series that I knew I would be pleased with. BUT, it offered so much more than first intended!

The leads had great chemistry and the ability to skirt serious issues in early episodes as if they are simply background details yet revisit them as huge issues was amazing. I don't know if I read more into the lovers than was meant but to me it felt very much like a message about what happens when you ignore conflicting ideas. These two people have no business being together but are perfectly suited.

I blew through this series in one sitting and I definitely will revisit it. It will be interesting to watch back knowing what I know now.

The only criticism I have is the ending felt a little rushed but it didn't ruin it for me. I just felt more time could have been dedicated to the closing moments.

Flabbergasted by all the positive reviews here. I don't post reviews often and am even less likely to give something a negative one because I recognise all the hard work that gets put into these productions. However, the storyline of this series with really unlikeable characters was so unrealistic and full of cliches that I cannot overlook it, especially with all the positive reviews.

There was no chemistry between the lead characters and their inability to communicate with eachother was so immature if not ludicrous. It started off ok but went downhill after a couple episodes. I've seen Johnny Flynn in a few things and normally like him but even he couldn't redeem this. Save yourself the time.

The best romantic comedy we've seen in years.

And yesterday we've even watched it for a second time...never a dull moment !

We loved the storyline combining humor & tragedy of the romantic clash between irisch working class and the typical english attitude.

A very good perfomance of the crew ,especially Mrs Gallagher was very impressive -even outstanding- and we hope to see more of her in a leading role...hopefully a second series of "the lovers", although this seems highly unlikely.

We just watched / binged "the dry" britbox tv series also starring Roisin Gallagher. Although it's a completely other theme, it was a bitter sweet binge... A 100% recommendation, from the Netherlands.

Great casting. I was hooked straightaway Binged the whole series in one go... I highly recommend you do the same.

The story was anything but predictable... The actors were brilliant. Great chemistry... Johnny Flynn excels in this type of comedic role... "funny without realising" .....

I really believed in the characters and I didn't want it to end. Each episode is carved out so well. And there are no wasted scenes....

The energy that flies between the leads is electric. The timing is on point. Even though this is billed as a rom com, it is really so much more than that.

I didn't want to say goodbye to them. I will definately be rewatching this show. I.

I suspect whether you feel the chemistry or not depends a lot on your personal experiences in life. And I imagine if one never fell for a damaged person then the character of Janet would be alienating to them. (I mention Janet because she's the one I fell irrevocably and utterly in love with :) ; kudos, Róisín, you did a great job) It's a British rom-com that gave me lots of laughs, although it's not only that. There's a darker side to it, given the setting. But still, it is a rom-com, and a successful at that. I enjoyed the humour, the acting, the pace. Episode 5, which had to introduce the darker side, was lacking a little in chemistry, but eventually things went the proper, cliché way as they should.

Life is random and meaningless, anyway. (A philosophical statement that happens to be mentioned in the series during a celebration.)

I watched the first episode and it took me a while to really enjoy it. So if you watch the complete first episode and it didn't click for you, stop watching it; otherwise, you'll probably binge-watch the whole series, so make sure you start it on a time and day you don't have to deprive yourself of sleep.

I had no expectations going into this show. I didn't even watch the trailer. Only 6 episodes? I want more!! Please tell me this will have a second season! Great cast of characters. The story and the characters are so easy to love. The show somehow managed to be dark yet funny at the same time. I'm usually into drama and suspense. Somehow this story had that yet somehow also being funny throughout. I sure hope there's more to come. I want to know what happens next! There's so much more story they could tell and I'm here for it. It was unpredictable yet I loved each and every turn it took. I want to see where it goes next!

I'm game to watch anything Johnny Flynn does. I'm a fan! However, I was bummed that this was not my cup of tea. I didn't find it funny. The characters were annoying and the circumstance ludicrous. I know it's just a lighthearted rom-com but I expected something smarter.

The attraction between the 2 leads did not seem compelling enough that he would cheat on his girlfriend. The setting in Ireland was cool and I tried to make it through the series but bailed on episode three. It's too bad because I always welcome some lighthearted shows that I can watch in between the dark crime dramas that are everywhere.

I was kind of embarrassed for Flynn here.

I pay a monthly subscription to Sundance Now so I have unfettered access to musician/actor Tim Minchin's Upright. One day, I realized that since I was handing over my hard-earned money, I should at least try to watch the other shows on the streaming service. So I started a list. Shows like this are why I'm glad I took the time. I would never have known about it otherwise. Just another show in a swirling sea of other shows. (So many shows, so little time.) But every episode was adorable. The two main leads are well cast and have obvious chemistry. The male lead even throws out a Tim Minchin vibe (atheist, smartypants, somewhat famous, slightly ginger, beard, etc etc). The female lead is a very complicated woman and somewhat abrasive, but she has her reasons and her spunk and snark are quickly appreciated. It's not sappy. It's real and down-to-earth and original. I hope there is a Season 2 and beyond. It's a romance for 2024.

This has a bit of everything, it is funny and serious, it is obvious and unexpected, it's a love story about an affair where one participant is actually in a (seemingly) good relationship so you want them to work but you feel guilty as the third person doesn't seem like a bad person.

Overall i think 6 episodes was just about the right amount to drag out the classic will they, won't they before it got boring.

I am not sure where they could go with a second series apart from turning it into your standard relationship sitcom where they 'explore' their differences as it would spoil the feel of the concept which really is about the joy of new love and how it can cut through issues such as politics, peoples history and the day to day drudgery of life and set you free by giving you a new perspective on life.

Brilliant! Funny! Endearing! Apart from the two main characters the supporting cast are an absorbing mix of individuals who are so funny and an instant success! The fact that the episodes are only very short (25 mins) means that each one has very little time to bring the story to life, but it succeeds 100% and keeps the interest and intrigue as to where the story will go! The various emotions and twists and turns only help to build the wonder as to how it will all end, with a mix of serious issues from the past and how it affects people in current times all with a clever use of humour and singular personal issues. All in all a well directed, produced and acted series.