Years and Years

Years and Years, a powerful and astutely conceived British television drama series from BBC One, made its debut in 2019 to critical acclaim. Created and written by the brilliant mind of screenwriter Russell T. Davies, whose significant body of work includes the likes of Doctor Who and Torchwood, this show is a rollercoaster journey through future speculative fiction, blending family drama and social commentary seamlessly.

The series is centred around the multifaceted lives of the interconnected British Lyon family, following them over the course of 15 years from 2019. Infused with emotional complexity and real-life repercussions, the show seamlessly weaves together various speculative social and political scenarios that may well be the reality of tomorrow. As an audience, we get to observe their lives and witness how they cope with the rapidly changing, technological, political, and social landscape, and the frightening yet plausible future that it shapes.

The main characters include Daniel Lyon (Russell Tovey), Stephen Lyon (Rory Kinnear), Rosie Lyon (Ruth Madeley) and Edith Lyon (Jessica Hynes) – the adult members of the Lyon family, and their grandmother, Muriel Deacon (Anne Reid). As the world becomes unrecognizable around them, from political upheaval to technological advancements, each family member faces immense personal challenges that often mirror the wider societal chaos. The character development is built in a way that it draws you into their world, and their vulnerability makes them inherently human and relatable.

Emma Thompson's character, Vivienne Rook, a provocative, self-styled celebrity turned populist politician, also plays a significant role in the advancement of the plot. The lines blurring between fiction and the ever-changing reality of the current world make her character even more captivating. Essentially, Rook's political rise acts as the catalyst for many of the shifts the Lyon family endures.

In characteristic Russell T. Davies fashion, the show's intricate storytelling includes both personal and globalized elements. By using the Lyon family as a vessel, Davies provides an entry point for complex and divisive world issues such as the refugee crisis, technological advancements such as transhumanism, the rise of nationalist politics, climate change, and the evolving global financial landscape.

With a surprising blend of futuristic devices that interrogate today's political and cultural climate, Years and Years layers the deeply personal trials of a single family against the backdrop of a world gripped by increasing political extremism and technological advancement. All the elements of the series come together to create a stunning work that is at once a dilemma-driven family drama and a poignant exploration of our collective future.

The series, which consists of six episodes, is also visually arresting, showcasing an exceptional attention to detail and creative direction. This can especially be seen in those moments that imagines some of the potential technological and environmental realities of the future. The set design works in harmony with the plot, painting an evocatively dystopian yet still recognisable world. This visual inventiveness serves as a further testament to the show's creative prowess.

In a broader sense, Years and Years can be considered a distress signal. Russell T. Davies takes the things we're already worried about in the real world and amplifies them, making the series an urgent, almost desperate call to attention for the viewers. The blending of real world anxieties with moving and engaging character drama results in a series that is both illuminating and provocative, stimulating both emotional and intellectual engagement.

In essence, Years and Years is a testament to the power of television to incite thought and instigate discussion. It is a robust plunge into the deep end of speculative fiction, not afraid to confront society's worries about what lies ahead. Its blend of chronological storytelling and future speculation makes it a rare breed of show, one that grips the viewer from the outset and leaves a resonant impact long after the credits roll. Given our current political and social climate, the themes and issues covered in the series are ripe for the exploration, inviting audiences to think, reflect, and perhaps spark a necessary conversation. It’s a unique exploration of potential futures which incredibly blends family drama with speculative fiction, making it one of the most compelling television dramas of 2019.