The first trailer has arrived for the five-part TV drama, It’s A Sin. The British show has been written by Russell T. Davies, the original creator of the UK version of Queer As Folk. Davies is also known for the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, 2019’s Years and Years (starring Russell Tovey), and 2018’s A Very British Scandal (with Hugh Grant).
It’s A Sin will land on Channel 4 in the UK and HBO Max in the US in early 2021. Originally having the working title Boys when it began filming, the retitled It’s A Sin will star singer Olly Alexander of the band Years and Years.
Alexander will play 18-year-old Ritchie Tozer, one of three young men who move to London at the start of the 1980s. The drama will follow the impact of AIDS on the lives of young gay men in London.
Related: Olly Alexander, Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry to start filming AIDS drama
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The other two leads, Roscoe and Colin, are played relative newcomers, Omari Douglas and Callum Scott Howells.
Also in the cast at Neil Patrick Harris, Keeley Hawes, Stephen Fry, and Tracy Ann Oberman.
Lead actor Olly Alexander, 30, has been out as gay since the start of his music career. In 2017, he fronted a BBC documentary called Growing Up Gay, in which he revealed something of the mental health challenges he and other gay people face.
Sharing the trailer to Twitter, Alexander wrote: “THE TRAILER IS HERE !! IM SO EXCITED !! BOYS ! DRAMA ! SEX ! HAIR!”
Related: Neil Patrick Harris’ whole family caught COVID
Stephen Fry also shared the trailer to Twitter, saying he was, “Inexpressibly proud” to be involved with the show.
Inexpressibly proud to be a part of @russelldavies63‘s new drama series #ItsASin – coming soon to @Channel4 – here’s a trailer pic.twitter.com/NjAD9D47Y5
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 17, 2020
Donston
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barryaksarben
I am really looking forward to this. The brits gay shows are more interesting sometimes because of the slight cultural differences. And Mr Davies is a great talent
Donston
Mhmm. Looks interesting. Davies has been apart of some solid projects. And I do respect Stephen Frye. However, it does appear “queer entertainment ” is at a creative standstill. Every prestigious, high-profile “gay” project has to be set at least thirty years in the past. While most stories are still focusing primarily on coming out the closet, prejudice and AIDS. I’m not saying looking back isn’t important or stories about those subjects aren’t worthy of being told. But it’d be nice to see some other stories get hype and a decent budget.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I tend to agree with you too. The best movie I’ve ever seen about AIDS was 1985’s An Early Frost that starred Ben Gazarra as a blue collar father whom not only learns his son is gay but has AIDS. That was the only movie I’ve seen to date that had the perfect balance for the emotions of the family as to what they missed about their sons upbringing and the future they were going to have to deal with once he was gone.
For once I would like to see an updated storyline about the emotional reactions of parents once they realize their only child has no clue that as they explain they are coming out of the closet they are also standing in front of them telling them they are not going to have grandchildren how their plans for such a future instantly disappeared. Kiddies believe it or not those emotions do occur and that side of the equation for the most part goes largely ignored in these types of movies. How about the emotional response of the dad that realizes no matter how many years he had planning and saving money to be at a football game with his son and grandson’s, at the circus or at a coworkers backyard barbecue with everyone his son has added what amounts to him a mother of a shock to deal with.
It happens and for a change maybe some one can find funding for such a project to see the light of day. Imagine a storyline where a suburban couple learn their muscular sixteen year old son not only has a new corvette parked at a garage downtown he also has over a quarter million dollar bank account thanks to his being an online gay sex performer. Its time for some up to date stories here that deal with more detail regarding gay sexuality that go far beyond some kids coming out to their parents.
barryaksarben
Our very large historical events are very interesting and I have to say many straight stories are the same old stories over and over. I think a show on some of our current political leaders winning office against anti gay sentiment could make a very good story but it might be hard to get funding. ALso there was no gay cinema earlier than the late 60s so we have a lot of catching up to do with our stories
SFMike
I know they are superficial, but we did have three gay themed “Hallmark” style mainstream Christmas romcom fantasies on American TV this season and it seems not to many Christian fundamentalist’s heads exploded. Only two were really gay oriented, not the one from the actual Hallmark channel, and total fantasy fluff but these silly dramas really do have the ability to make cultural change just by being out there. I can’t imagine seeing any of these in my youth but I feel it would have made a difference to see gay men in silly dramas not about AIDS, discrimination or violence that actually have happy endings. This slow drip of positive gay themes into mainstream culture will make a difference in the long run even though they are a sugar coated and unrealistic as the rest of the fantasy hookups in this surprisingly popular and insipid genera.
AxelDC
In the 1990s, every gay film was either about coming out or AIDS. There’s far more to the gay experience than coming out and dying.
drumstick
It’s important to keep the memory of the AIDS years alive in the minds of younger LGBT people who may not have experienced how precariously quickly society can go from celebrating homosexuality and Stonewall – to contempt and complacency. Reactions ranged from “They deserve it/told you so” to “gays should be tatooed and quarantined and all bars and bathhouses shut down.”
I also remember how we tried to assuage our fears by treating the initial outbreak as overblown media hype – and then swinging into paranoia that you could catch AIDS from mosquitoes. If you think COVID-19 was a drag…think about dealing with lethal sex in your 20s for 15 long years…
On the plus side, the AIDS crisis highlighted societal discrimination that ultimately resulted in same-sex marriage and faster drug approvals.
Donston
Once again, no one is saying those stories shouldn’t be told, but where’s the variety in storytelling and experiences? It’s almost like they don’t believe anyone is interested in “gay” production or a “gay romance” unless it includes someone being closeted or having AIDS or fighting against prejudice. That has been dominating high-profile “queer stories” since the early 90s. It’s like every high-profile centered on black characters being about slavery or racism. It has its space. But it shouldn’t dominate the space.
AxelDC
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking.
michael_totzke
LOL
ronniebs
Can’t wait. I loved Years & Years.
wikidBSTN
I LOVE Russell Davies work. Can’t wait!
trsxyz
Need to check this out. Strong cast. I don’t care for the title, “It’s A Sin”…
queerty02
No offense. Olly Alexander is cute and yes twinky guy. But he can’t pass for 18. Weird casting choice, or weird character choice either way.
psk
Russell T Davies also brought us Cucumber which was a truly awful show. Full of depressing gay characters. Let’s hope this is better, but from the clip and the subject matter, I doubt it.