It’s a Sin is a British television drama miniseries written and created by Russell T Davies (of Doctor Who fame). In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, It’s a Sin presents another epidemic. The five-part series is set from 1981 to 1991 in London. It depicts the lives of a group of gay men and their friends who lived during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United Kingdom (soon to spread to the U.S. and everywhere).
It’s a Sin features a main cast consisting of Olly Alexander as Ritchie Tozer, Omari Douglas as Roscoe Babatunde and Callum Scott Howells as Colin Morris-Jones, who all move to London. Lydia West, Nathaniel Curtis and David Carlyle play the characters of Jill Baxter, Ash Mukherjee and Gregory Finch respectively. Together they form the ensemble which the show focuses on most. Other actors cast were Keeley Hawes, Shaun Dooley, Tracy Ann Oberman, Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry. It premiered in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 on 22 January 2021. After a few weeks, It’s a Sin was viewed in its entirety more than 6.5 million times; making it the most binge-watched show to stream on the platform.
The story of HIV/AIDS in the UK was new to me although it followed the pattern of its spread in the U.S. We could have learned from the HIV/AIDS epidemic in ways that could have helped us when the Coronavirus hit…but we didn’t. GRADE: A
Once it gets to “regular” HBO we will watch it. I’ve read several books and plays on the subject. We saw a revival of Larry Kramer’s THE NORMAL HEART on Broadway in 2011. Looks like a good cast. We did like Davies’s YEARS AND YEARS and A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL.
Jeff, and I admire Davies’ work with DOCTOR WHO, too!
I must admit that I hadn’t even noticed this, but it certainly looks interesting. A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL, which I think was on Amazon last year, was excellent. It’ll have to wait until after the final season of BOSCH which starts Friday, but I’ll get to it eventually.
Michael, I think you’ll find IT’S A SIN is well worth your time when you get around to it.
I thought it was outstanding. Painful to watch but worth it.
Patti, yes IT’S A SIN is painful…but it’s also truthful. I agree with you: it’s outstanding!
I think we saw two things during the AIDS epidemic (I won’t say we learned from them because they repeated themselves during the Covid epidemic): 1. A political party whose major message is that “government is the problem” will absolutely refuse to do anything that might make that government look competent, even at the cost of losing lives that could have been saved; and 2. When those who are dying have been demonized/scapegoated by that same political party (gays during the AIDS epidemic, minorities & the poor & the uninsured during Covid), that party feels no compassion about those who are dying. Guess which party I’m referring to.
/Dismounting soapbox now!
Deb, you are spot on! The victims of epidemics are demonized at first. And our recent Governments take the position that “It’s not our problem.” Compassion is in short supply today.
I would strongly recommend Randy Schilts’s excellent AND THE BAND PLAYED ON for an overview of the first years of the AIDS crisis and the shameful response (non-response, actually) of the Reagan Administration. And, for a biological, non-political overview of how and why AIDS spread the way it did (genetic research seems to indicate the AIDS virus entered the human population in the early 20th century), I recommend David Quammen’s SPILLOVER, a book I’ve recommended several times before. SPILLOVER is about pandemics in general, not just AIDS, but there are several chapters about how AIDS spread (or didn’t) from 1900 through the 1970s which I think make very interesting reading.
I agree on the Randy Shiltz book. I also liked Paul Monette’s BORROWED TIME. (Of course, both died of AIDS.)
ANd the Republican Party from Ronald Reagan onward has been beneath contempt for the most part.
Jeff, the GOP has been on the Wrong Side of History for a generation.
And yet so many still wish to pretend that Reagan was a Great President. Then again, we have Trump worshippers. It’s inspirational. Inspiring depression.
Deb, I’ve taken your advice and read SPILLOVER. Excellent book! I read AND THE BAND PLAYED ON when it was first published. Another great book although tragic.
You say “In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic”. Really? In western NY it’s over? Isn’t that great! Here in Oregon we’re not so fortunate, as less then 70% are vaccinated and restrictions are still in place. I’m sick and tired of everyone acting and talking like Covid WAS a thing, and now it’s over. IT’S NOT OVER. Say what you like, I’ll be staying home, masking on rare outings, and being safe. I know I’m starting to harp on this, and I’m sure I’ve made my opinion clear, so I won’t comment on it again.
The weird two-mindedness of the US’s current Covid-19 policy and actions is distressing. I still mask up during my supermarket trips, and I won’t be attending any theater/crowd events for some time, even with my tendency to be resistant to viral diseases and having got the J/J&J one-shot vaccine a couple of months ago.
Rick, it comes down to the numbers. New York State has over a 70% vaccination rate so things are opening up. A number of Southern Red States have low vaccination rates and the Coronavirus is alive and spreading the Delta Variant there. Like you I’m wearing a mask when I go out to stay safe. Hopefully the vaccination numbers will improve nationally and all over the world. That’s the only way out of this Pandemic.