‘It’s A Sin’ – Channel 4 Sets January Premiere For Russell T Davies Drama
Channel 4 has announced a January premiere date for Russell T Davies’ incredible upcoming drama ‘It’s A Sin‘ set during the 80’s AIDS epidemic.
From multi-BAFTA Award-winning writer Russell T Davies’ (‘Queer As Folk’, ‘A Very English Scandal’, ‘Years and Years’, ‘Doctor Who’) this brand new 5-part drama follows the story of the 1980s, the story of AIDS, and charts the joy and heartbreak of a group of friends across a decade in which everything changed.
It’s 1981, the start of a new decade and Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin begin a new life in London. Strangers at first, these young gay lads, and their best friend Jill, find themselves thrown together, and soon share each other’s adventures. But a new virus is on the rise, and soon their lives will be tested in ways they never imagined. As the decade passes, and they grow up in the shadow of AIDS, they’re determined to live and love more fiercely than ever.
Olly Alexander, from the band Years & Years, leads the cast as 18-year-old Ritchie Tozer, the family’s golden boy, though he’s determined to keep his secrets from them. He is joined by newcomer Omari Douglas as London-born 17-year-old Roscoe Babatunde, a wild, brittle party boy, always on the run; Newcomer Callum Scott Howells plays Colin Morris-Jones, a quiet, unassuming, boy from Wales, about to become an apprentice on Savile Row; Lydia West (‘Years and Years’) as Jill Baxter, Ritchie’s friend from college, straight-talking, funny, and the rock on which they rely; And newcomer Nathaniel Curtis plays Ash, a faithful friend through thick and thin.
The cast also includes Keeley Hawes (Honour, Bodyguard, The Durrells, Line of Duty), who plays Valerie, Ritchie’s mum; Shaun Dooley (Gentleman Jack, Broadchurch, Woman in Black) who plays Clive, his dad; Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Gone Girl, A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Henry Coltrane; Stephen Fry (Wilde, Gosford Park, Bones) as MP Arthur Garrison; And Tracy Ann Oberman (Friday Night Dinner, Toast of London, After Life) as Carol Carter.
The series is overseen at Channel 4 by Lee Mason, Commissioning Editor and Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama. The series will be produced by RED Production Company (a STUDIOCANAL company) and executive produced by Nicola Shindler (Years and Years, Safe, Happy Valley, Queer As Folk, Cucumber) and Russell T Davies (Years and Years, Queer As Folk, A Very English Scandal, Doctor Who, Cucumber). Phil Collinson (Gentleman Jack, Good Omens, Doctor Who) is producer. The series is directed by Peter Hoar (Umbrella Academy, The Last Kingdom, Da Vinci’s Demons). Boys is the 10th collaboration between Russell T Davies and RED Production Company. The partnership is known for producing relevant, timely and emotionally charged dramas having previously created hit series including Queer As Folk, Casanova, Cucumber, Banana, Bob & Rose and The Second Coming. All3media International are global partner.
Whilst I obviously don’t want to give anything away, I can say I have seen the opening episode, and it is a phenomenal drama, and possibly the best thing Russell T Davies has done to date. As with a lot of RTD’s work, it effortlessly moves from joyous and comedic to darkly tragic at a moments notice, with outstanding performances from the new, young cast, alongside some great turns from the more established actors. I really urge you to tune in.
‘It’s A Sin‘ will premiere Friday, 22nd January 2021 at 9pm and I really urge you to watch! The series will air on HBO Max in the USA.
