There’s a chance we might be see more of the characters from the award-winning British TV drama, It’s A Sin.
The 1980s-set series, by gay writer Russell T. Davies, looked at the arrival of the AIDS epidemic in the UK. It starred Olly Alexander of the band Years and Years.
Davies first pitched it as an eight-part show but was rejected by several broadcasters. It was finally made in conjunction with the UK’s Channel 4 as a five-part miniseries. HBO Max screened it in the US.
Related: WATCH: 80s gay life revisited in trailer for new TV drama, It’s A Sin
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As it stood, the chances of a second season seemed remote, given that some of the lead characters died from AIDS-related illnesses. However, one of those involved with the production now says Davies came up with an idea for a spin-off.
Speaking at a BAFTA Sessions event, executive producer Nicola Shindler said Davies had an idea, set in the modern-day, featuring Jill (Lydia West) and Roscoe (Omari Douglas).
Schindler said, “There was a time when there were a lot of stories in the press about young boys being manipulated online to masturbate. They were being filmed and then they were being blackmailed, essentially.
“It was young teenage boys and it was something that Russell [T Davies] was really concerned about,” reports Metro.
“He thought, what if you cut to the present day and Jill and Roscoe are out there to stop people from doing this.
“It’s about looking after the boys, really, because originally it was called The Boys,’ explained Shindler, of It’s A Sin.
“He just wanted to pick up on that idea that one problem might have gone away, but there are still so many vulnerable people out there who need looking after, or who need some kind of attention shining on them.
“He never wrote any of it – it was a small idea, I don’t know if he’ll be cross that I’ve told people what the idea is,’ she added.
“He just wanted to pick it up in the present day and say, ‘Look, there are still so many people out there who need some kind of protection.’ That was the point of it.”
Related: Screenwriter Russell T Davies on what everyone says to him on Grindr
It’s A Sin was nominated for 11 awards at the UK’s prestigious BAFTA Television Awards (sort of like their Emmys). Acting winners will be announced on May 8.
In March 2021, Davies himself told the Hollywood Reporter there would be no second season of It’s A Sin.
“There isn’t a second season. It was lovely. It said everything I wanted to say. The only long-running thing I’ve ever done is Doctor Who and that’s because Doctor Who is designed to be long-running.”
Kangol2
I get Davies’ interest and concern but the new focus sounds like it plays right into the whole “grooming” narrative. I mean, why not focus on contemporary LGBTQ people in the UK who might have had some ties to the people in the original series?
white-queer-african
@Kangol2 agreed 100%. I do believe we should move on, but never forget, the tragic aids pandemic. Lost many a dear friend. If only governments at the time united to find a vaccine like they have done for Covid, we would still have so many friends around and alive. But we were viewed as second class citizens. As freaks. The gay plaque to remove us from society.