It’s a Sin dropped last Friday on HBO Max. The series focuses on a group of friends living in London in the 1980s and 1990s as the AIDS epidemic ravages the gay community.
Unlike other series focusing on this difficult period of time, It’s a Sin addresses the rawness and overwhelming emotions, positive and negative both family and friends experienced while Government bodies and many professional institutions turned their back on the suffering.
Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander) relocates to London to study law. On starting his studies he is attracted to drama, in particular a drama student Ash (Nathaniel Curtis). Upon meeting Ash, Ritchie decides he wants to pursue a career in drama, giving up his legal studies to the upset to his parents.
Ritchie befriends Jill Baxter (Lydia West) and Roscoe (Omari Douglas) and they move into the Pink Palace, a small flat in the heart of Soho London. Colin (Callum Scott Howells) moves in to the flat and this small group of friends begin their lifelong bond.
Written and created by Russell T Davies, this mini series is heartbreakingly real. It examines a time in history that many are all very much aware and had the unfortunate experience of living through and cannot forget. Ignorance and fear played into a lot of damage done to the gay community that were originally blamed for the epidemic. But what is also very important about It’s a Sin is that it keeps this moment in time fresh in the minds of the younger gay generation.
Directed by Peter Hoar, this is a touching and beautiful story that highlights the good in humanity during a difficult period. Strong female protagonists feature heavily in this story, some positive some negative. But it’s also how mothers, daughters and friends came together to overcome the ignorance and fear that crippled the world and forced many parents and friends to stay away from loved ones at a time of need.
Each performance in this remarkable series is outstanding and need rightful recognition, with an equally strong supporting cast that includes Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Fry and Keeley Hawes.
Omari Douglas as Roscoe is genuine and real. He plays a loving, caring, funny and strong individual that has a flair for fashion.
Callum Scott Howells as Colin is heartbreaking in his portrayal of a young man just wanting to get ahead in the world.
Olly Alexander as Ritchie embraces this passion for life and wishing to make the most of it. There is that sense of innocence about his performance as it can’t help but remind you of someone from your past that was always the life of the party and a lot of fun to be around.
Stand out performance is Lydia West as Jill Baxter. The performance of this strong empowering woman who has so much love for the world and non stop support for the gay community, especially her friends. This is a performance that is noteworthy and stirs all sort of emotions but the compassion and love warms the heart.
It’s a Sin is something that everyone should take the time to watch. Give it your attention, remember and learn about this time in life when the gay community was persecuted and very few individuals showed love and compassion to overcome ignorance and hate.
It’s a Sin is available on HBO Max.
