It's a Sin

It's a Sin is a groundbreaking drama series that premiered on Channel 4 in January 2021, exploring the relentless spread of the AIDS epidemic in the UK in the 1980s through the eyes of a vibrant group of young friends living in London. It's a Sin is a bittersweet tale that combines the carefree hedonism of youth with the devastating impact of an emergent health crisis.

Written by award-winning screenwriter Russell T Davies, known for his transformative work on British television such as Queer as Folk and the relaunch of Doctor Who, It's a Sin is both a passionate hit and a compelling take on a dark chapter of recent history. The gloom of the theme is balanced by the exuberant and effervescent lives of the characters, which are designed to stir both smiles and tears, emphasizing not only on the story about a disease but also on a story about life and how it’s lived.

The show’s title is inspired by the catchy 1987 Pet Shop Boys’ hit, which serves as its theme song. It's a Sin is imbued with rich, nostalgic 80s references in terms of music, fashion, and pop culture, meticulously thought out and brilliantly woven into the narrative and character development. However, the pith of this period piece is its remarkable ability to ground the viewers in the harsh reality of the AIDS crisis, a health catastrophe that drastically altered the socio-political, cultural, and sexual landscapes of the era.

The story begins in 1981 with the cast of characters independently migrating to London. At the center is the delightfully charismatic Ritchie Tozer - played by Years and Years frontman Olly Alexander - an aspiring actor from the Isle of Wight. We also meet Roscoe Babatunde (Omari Douglas), a bold, defiant young man who leaves his homophobic Nigerian family, and Colin Morris-Jones (Callum Scott Howells), a quietly reserved Welsh lad who starts an apprenticeship at a tailor shop and is taken under the wing of an older co-worker.

At odds with the conservatism of their homes, they establish a makeshift family in the “Pink Palace," their affectionally named shared flat. They're supported by a wide range of characters that come into their lives, including 18-year-old Jill Baxter (Lydia West), who becomes a valued ally. Jill is based on the real-life testaments of Jill Nalder who lived through the era and is a close friend of Davies. Nalder has a role in the series as Jill's mother.

Over the course of the series, the spread of AIDS transitions from distant rumors to a reality that begins to encroach on the characters’ lives. But the series strikes a delicate balance, using infectious energy and joyous spirit to keep hope and humanity at its heart. It’s a Sin poignantly portrays how these young characters, on the cusp of life, come to grapple with the incomprehensible horror of AIDS, in an era where the stigma and fear of the disease were as lethal as the disease itself. It's also a tale about the power of friendship and love that persists in the face of deadly adversity.

The series features five episodes, each counting down the years via birthday parties, political protests, personal struggles, and trips home, among others, marking the flow of time and the increasingly menacing presence of the AIDS crisis.

What sets It’s a Sin apart from other narratives about the AIDS epidemic is its British perspective, its focus on friendship and hope, its consideration of the disease’s early years, and its inclusion of a wider range of responses and experiences. The series takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from the exuberance of youthful independence to the heartbreak of unexpected loss.

It's a Sin is more than just a show about the AIDS crisis. It is a powerful critique of societal ignorance, institutional neglect, and homophobia, masterfully folded into a narrative of love, bonding, and the loss of innocence. It is a show that also honors the lives of the victims, celebrates their resilience, and raises the voices of the survivors.

As both a period piece and an emotional drama, It's a Sin is an insightful and beautifully-rendered exploration of British gay history in the 1980s. It's a must-watch for anyone seeking a touchingly human story that is brimming with joy, resilience, and the spoken and unspoken tragedies of the era.