Russell T Davies new series, It's A Sin, is something of a British counterpart to another ground-breaking drama, Pose. The latter starred a predominantly Black trans cast in the 1980's New York ballroom scene; Davies’ show follows a group of gay men in London embracing their sexual identity in a decade rife with homophobia.
The series stars off light enough: It's 1981, and Ritchie (Olly Alexander) is heading off to university, and like many closeted young gay men, he's itching to explore his sexuality in ways he never could at home. What follows is a wonderfully directed and explicit montage as Ritchie partakes in sex with multiple men, reminding audiences of Davies' other series, Queer As Folk, which also followed the lives of gay men navigating sex, love, and friendship.
Roscoe (Omari Douglas) and Colin (Callum Scott Howells) also leave their homes in search of a better life, the former from a strict Nigerian household, the latter travelling from Wales to begin his new job at a tailor's. The pilot makes great work at establishing these characters, layered with splendid performances, but the shadows of darker times already begin to creep in as Colin's friend Henry is admitted to hospital for… well, no one really knows.
The pilot ends with the trio, now living in a flat together with Ritchie’s love interest Ash (Nathaniel Curtis) and their straight friend Jill (Lydia West), excitedly pondering what the future has in store for them. Smash cut to an isolated ward of a hospital, where we find Henry has died from a ‘rare cancer’, alone. Davies manages to entwine his signature irreverence with the heart-breaking reality of the AIDS virus impact on queer British people.
As the series rolls along, AIDS and HIV becomes an increasingly prevalent concern for the group. First, we hear snippets of conversations about a 'cancer' killing dozens of gay men in America. Next, the virus's existence becomes a regular debate in the gay scene. Whereas Ritchie monologues his denial in a stylish montage, Jill arms herself with as much knowledge as she can about AIDS, drawing interesting parallels to present day COVID-19 conversations.
Soon though, attending funerals for loved ones becomes the norm for the group as we delve deeper into the 80's. It's A Sin educates just as much as it pulls at the heartstrings, as one of the friends learn that he has contracted AIDS and develop HIV symptoms that are less common knowledge, including dementia. In a devastating sequence, while in a senile state, the man worries that his illness means he is 'dirty'.
The writing, direction and performances are all on point. The loss, grief and alienation from our protagonists as stigma and fear mongering grows throughout the decade is so palpable, you can feel it. But Davies makes it his mission to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As you might expect from an AIDS drama, It’s A Sin doesn’t exactly get a happy ending. Nor is it an entirely miserable one. There are tears, and laughter. There’s grief, and acceptance. Davies creates a perfect blend of light and dark that encapsulates the decade exceptionally.
It’s A Sin is available to stream on All 4.
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