It's a Sin (TV series)

Last updated

It's a Sin
It's a Sin.jpg
Genre Drama
Created by Russell T Davies
Written byRussell T Davies
Directed by Peter Hoar
Starring
Composer Murray Gold [1] [2]
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producers
Producer Phil Collinson
Running time46–48 minutes
Production company Red Production Company
Original release
Network Channel 4
Release22 January (2021-01-22) –
19 February 2021 (2021-02-19)

It's a Sin is a British drama television miniseries written by Russell T Davies. Set in London between 1981 and 1991, it depicts the lives of a group of gay men and their friends during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United Kingdom. It's a Sin features a main cast consisting of Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West, and Nathaniel Curtis. Other actors cast were David Carlyle, Keeley Hawes, Shaun Dooley, Tracy Ann Oberman, Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry. The series was directed by Peter Hoar, produced by Red Production Company, and premiered in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 on 22 January 2021.

Contents

Its subject matter made the series a difficult sell to broadcasters. BBC One and ITV passed on the series, and Channel 4 took it on only after their commissioning editor of drama, Lee Mason, fought for it and the series was shortened from a planned eight episodes to five. Principal photography commenced on 7 October 2019. Despite its London setting, It's a Sin was filmed mainly in Manchester, with other locations used in Liverpool, Bolton, Eccles, Bangor, and Rhos-on-Sea. The series was executive produced by Davies, Hoar, and Nicola Shindler, with Phil Collinson serving as producer.

The show received critical acclaim for its emotional scenes, writing, performances and accurate depiction of HIV/AIDS. All episodes were released to Channel 4's online streaming service All 4 (now simply known as Channel 4), where it was viewed in its entirety more than 6.5 million times; making it the most binge-watched show to stream on the platform. The first episode also became Channel 4's biggest drama launch. The show was also credited for creating an upsurge in HIV testing in the weeks after its release. It was the most nominated show at the 2022 British Academy Television Awards, receiving eleven nominations, including Best Mini-Series. [3]

Premise

The series follows a group of gay men who move to London in 1981. They form a friendship group but the fast developing HIV/AIDS crisis in the United Kingdom impacts their lives. Over five episodes the group are shown living through an entire decade until 1991, as they become determined to live fiercely despite the threat HIV poses to them. [4] [5]

Cast and characters

Olly Alexander (cropped to subject).jpg
Olly Alexander
Tracy Ann Oberman in 2015.jpg
Tracy-Ann Oberman
Keeley Hawes 2014.jpg
Keeley Hawes
Neil Patrick Harris (9448294366) (cropped).jpg
Neil Patrick Harris
Stephen Fry June 2016.jpg
Stephen Fry

Episodes

  1. 1 2 "Murray Gold scores Russell T Davies' 'It's A Sin' – airing 22nd January". Cool Music. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  2. ↑ Connellan, Shannon (22 January 2021). "'It's a Sin' is a poignant series following a group of friends through the '80s AIDS epidemic". Mashable . Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "Bafta TV Awards: Aids drama It's a Sin leads nominations". BBC News. 30 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scott, Darren; Milton, Josh (25 January 2021). "Russell T Davies' seminal AIDS drama It's a Sin was almost never made after being turned down by TV bosses". PinkNews . Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  5. ↑ Williams, Kathryn (15 January 2021). "It's a Sin: Air date, who's in it and what's it about?". Wales Online . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Meet the cast of Channel 4 drama It's A Sin". Radio Times . 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  7. ↑ Schifano, Izzy (22 January 2021). "Meet the cast of It's A Sin, and where you recognise the actors from". The Tab . Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  8. ↑ Cannon, Nicholas (19 January 2021). "Callum Scott Howells from 'It's A Sin' on playing Colin, aka Gladys Pugh!". Whattowatch.com . Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Cast & Crew". Red Production Company. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Weekly top programmes on four screens (from Sept 2018)". BARB . Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "All 4 – TV Guide". Channel 4 . Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Graham, Alison. "It's a Sin – S1 – Episode 1". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  13. ↑ "All 4 – TV Guide". Channel 4 . Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  14. ↑ Graham, Alison. "It's a Sin – S1 – Episode 2". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Russell T Davies filmed a surprise Doctor Who scene for new drama It's a Sin".
  16. ↑ "It's a Sin: Remembering lost friends". 4 February 2021.
  17. ↑ ""It's a Sin" has #Daleks in it! Tribute to @DoctorWho actor Dursley McLinden (SGT Mike Smith) who died of AIDS".
  18. 1 2 Conlan, Tara (15 January 2015). "Russell T Davies writing TV drama about Aids in the 1980s". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  19. ↑ Dowell, Ben (20 June 2016). "Russell T Davies: I want to show what life was like for gay men during the 1980s AIDS crisis". Radio Times . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  20. ↑ "Russell T Davies 'literally refused' to write this 'unbelievably crass' It's a Sin scene". PinkNews. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  21. ↑ Sandwell, Ian (22 August 2018). "Russell T Davies' AIDS crisis drama The Boys is finally coming to Channel 4". Digital Spy . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  22. 1 2 "All3media international announces pre-sales to five continents for new Russell T Davies drama It's a Sin". Red Production Company. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  23. ↑ Opie, David (28 January 2021). "It's a Sin director Peter Hoar shares how *that* Doctor Who scene came to life". Digital Spy . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  24. 1 2 3 Johnston, Rich (14 January 2020). "First Glimpse of Olly Alexander in Russell T Davies' "Boys" From Channel 4". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  25. ↑ Seddon, Dan (12 January 2021). "Channel 4's It's a Sin changed its title because of Amazon Prime Video's The Boys". Digital Spy . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  26. ↑ Mellor, Louisa (25 January 2021). "It's a Sin's Doctor Who Crossover Pays Tribute to Remembrance of the Daleks Actor". Den of Geek . Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  27. 1 2 3 Jeffery, Morgan (3 October 2020). "Olly Alexander, Keeley Hawes, Stephen Fry and Neil Patrick Harris will star in Russell T Davies' new series Boys". Radio Times . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Olly Alexander's It's a Sin character refuses to believe Aids is real in dark new teaser". Attitude . 5 January 2021. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  29. ↑ Smith, Reiss (22 January 2021). "It's A Sin star Omari Douglas on authenticity, HIV and whispering absolute filth into Stephen Fry's ear". PinkNews . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  30. ↑ Opie, David (24 January 2021). "How Callum Scott Howells found joy and beauty in the most harrowing moments of It's a Sin". Digital Spy . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  31. ↑ Randell, Louise (2 February 2021). "It's A Sin's Lydia West threw 1980s parties to get cast through harrowing scenes". Daily Mirror . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  32. ↑ Opie, David (22 January 2021). "Nathaniel Curtis on Ash's love story and why It's a Sin is "not an AIDS drama"". Digital Spy . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  33. 1 2 McIver, Brian (25 January 2021). "It's A Sin: Actor reveals emotional journey walking in footsteps of 1980s gay community living through traumatic turmoil of the HIV epidemic". The Sunday Post . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  34. ↑ Hill, Rose (22 January 2021). "It's A Sin viewers in tears over Neil Patrick Harris' harrowing AIDs storyline". Irish Mirror . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  35. ↑ Methven, Nicola (14 January 2021). "Stephen Fry says It's A Sin brought him to tears with memories of AIDS crisis". Daily Mirror . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  36. 1 2 Peplow, Gemma (1 February 2021). "It's A Sin star Nathaniel J Hall on contracting HIV at 16 and the 'unhealed wound' of the AIDS crisis". Sky News . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "Who is in the It's a Sin cast and where have you seen them before?". Heart . 29 January 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  38. ↑ Ahluwalia, Navi (22 January 2021). "Yes, That's Aunty Val From Friday Night Dinner on It's a Sin". Yahoo! . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  39. ↑ McCreesh, Louise (25 January 2021). "Ex-Doctor Who boss wants It's A Sin star Olly Alexander to be the new Doctor". Digital Spy . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  40. ↑ Lawthom, Jared (5 February 2021). "It's A Sin: The woman who inspired Russell T Davies' Aids drama". BBC News . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  41. ↑ Starkey, Adam (15 October 2019). "Olly Alexander and Keeley Hawes kick off filming on Russell T Davies drama Boys in Manchester". Metro . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  42. ↑ "Russel T Davies on Instagram". Instagram. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  43. 1 2 3 4 Maidment, Adam (22 January 2021). "The Manchester filming locations used in Channel 4's It's A Sin". Manchester Evening News . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  44. 1 2 3 Kirkham, Jenny (22 January 2021). "Liverpool doubling as New York and London in new Channel 4 drama". Liverpool Echo . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  45. ↑ Greenwood, Douglas (15 January 2021). "It's A Sin: "The story of HIV has been told very powerfully, but not…". The Face. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  46. ↑ "Bodyguard actor Keeley Hawes spotted filming in Rhos-on-Sea". itv.com . 29 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  47. ↑ "The scenes in Channel 4's 'It's a Sin' that were filmed in Bangor". The Bangor Aye. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  48. ↑ Leaver, Joel (27 January 2021). "North Wales beach featured in Keeley Hawes' acclaimed It's a Sin scene". Daily Post .
  49. ↑ "Russel T Davies on Instagram". Instagram. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  50. ↑ "Brand new drama It's A Sin, coming to C4 – Teaser Trailer". Channel 4 . 2 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  51. ↑ Stroude, Will (17 December 2020). "It's A Sin Trailer: first look at Russell T Davies' powerful AIDS drama". Attitude . Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  52. ↑ "When is Russell T Davies' 1980s AIDS drama It's A Sin on TV". Radio Times . 6 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  53. ↑ Richards, Will (23 January 2021). "Years & Years cover Pet Shop Boys' 'It's A Sin' as TV show premieres". NME . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  54. ↑ "It's A Sin". Amazon.co.uk . Dazzler Media. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  55. ↑ Porter, Rick (3 December 2019). "HBO Max Snags Russell T Davies' 1980s Drama 'Boys'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  56. ↑ Greene, Steve (February 2021). "February TV Premieres: 16 New Shows to Look Out For". IndieWire. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  57. ↑ McCreesh, Louise (12 January 2021). "It's A Sin's Russell T Davies on importance of gay actors playing gay roles". Digital Spy . Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  58. ↑ Max, HBO (25 January 2021). "Come for the party, stay for the love! A joyful tribute to lives that burned bright in 1980s London..." Twitter .
  59. ↑ "New queer drama "It's A Sin" to premiere on Stan on January 23". OutInPerth . 7 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  60. ↑ "Brand New Series. Premieres January 23". Stan.
  61. 1 2 Kanter, Jake (19 November 2020). "Russell T Davies' HBO Max/Channel 4 AIDS Drama 'It's A Sin' Lands Global Deals". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  62. ↑ Layton, Mark (19 November 2020). "Stan, Amazon & others buy C4 & HBO Max AIDS drama 'It's A Sin'". TBI Vision. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  63. 1 2 Kanter, Jake (26 January 2021). "'It's A Sin': Russell T Davies' AIDS Crisis Series Goes Down A Storm In UK Ahead Of HBO Max Launch". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  64. ↑ Chilton, Louis (4 February 2021). "It's a Sin breaks All 4 streaming records, becoming its most-binged series ever". The Independent . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  65. ↑ "It's A Sin: Channel 4 series gives All 4 record-breaking month". BBC News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  66. ↑ "Channel 4's It's A Sin hits 18.9m All 4 views and helps drive increase in HIV testing". Channel 4. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  67. ↑ "Four-screen dashboard | BARB". www.barb.co.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  68. ↑ Stephenson, Minnie (5 February 2021). "HIV testing rises as 'It's a Sin' become C4's most-watched drama". Channel 4 News . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  69. ↑ Richards, Will (5 February 2021). "Olly Alexander says he's "moved" to see record HIV tests following 'It's A Sin'". NME . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  70. ↑ Miller, Adam (5 February 2021). "It's A Sin is changing lives as record number of people get tested for HIV". Metro . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  71. ↑ "It's A Sin: Olly Alexander says 'young gay people can't believe it happened'". BBC News. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  72. 1 2 Opie, David (29 January 2021). "It's a Sin's groundbreaking gay sex scenes are more important than you realise". Digital Spy . Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  73. 1 2 3 Milton, Josh (26 January 2021). "The Sun responds to stinging backlash over clumsy take on It's a Sin sex scenes". PinkNews . Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  74. ↑ Strudwick, Patrick (1 February 2021). "TV Review: The Unique Catharsis of 'It's a Sin'". Vice Media . Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  75. ↑ "It's a Sin: Miniseries". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  76. ↑ "It's a Sin - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  77. ↑ Smith, Josh (26 January 2021). "'I had to acknowledge that I needed help': It's a Sin star Olly Alexander powerfully opens up about therapy, antidepressants & homophobia". Glamour .
  78. ↑ Feay, Suzi (12 January 2021). "It's a Sin — a hedonistic, touching portrait of 1980s gay London". Financial Times .
  79. 1 2 Devine, Lucy (26 January 2021). "It's A Sin Viewers Call For Keeley Hawes to 'Win A Bafta' After 'Outstanding And Magnificent' Performance". Tyla.com.
  80. ↑ Carr, Flora (24 January 2021). "Keeley Hawes stuns in heartbreaking It's A Sin finale". Radio Times . Retrieved 4 February 2021.
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  82. ↑ Russell, Scarlett (31 January 2021). "It's a Sin star Lydia West on the hit Channel 4 drama: 'It's a celebration of life'". The Times . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  83. ↑ Mangan, Lucy (22 January 2021). "It's a Sin review – Russell T Davies has created a masterpiece of poignancy". The Guardian . Retrieved 23 January 2021.
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  85. ↑ Carr, Flora (22 January 2021). "It's A Sin episode one review: A joyful, sexy opener with hints of the heartbreak to come". Radio Times . Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  86. ↑ "It's a Sin Review: Russell T Davies AIDS Drama is a Soaring Tribute". Den of Geek . 19 January 2021.
  87. ↑ "It's A Sin: An Ode To The Real Life Jills Of The World". Grazia . 2 May 2021.
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  92. ↑ Mullin, Brian (23 February 2021). "Commentary: 'It's a Sin' is a transatlantic hit. But it replicates troubling AIDS crisis tropes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  93. ↑ Yates, Jonny (29 January 2021). "All the best music from Russell T Davies' hit AIDS crisis drama It's a Sin, in full". PinkNews . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  94. ↑ Hunt, El (25 January 2021). "The best music moments in Russell T Davies' 'It's A Sin'". NME . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  95. ↑ Nugent, Annabel (28 January 2021). "How music has transformed TV, from It's a Sin to Bridgerton". The Independent . Retrieved 6 February 2021.
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  97. ↑ Welsh, Daniel (19 April 2021). "It's A Sin, RuPaul's Drag Race And Phillip Schofield Receive Nods At British LGBT Awards". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
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No.TitleDirected by  [9] Written by  [9] Original air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"Peter Hoar Russell T Davies 22 January 2021 (2021-01-22)5.02 [10]
1981. Five 18-year-olds- Ritchie, Jill, Ash, Colin and Roscoe who come from different walks of life move to London, where they all meet, form bonds quickly and move into a flat they name The Pink Palace. They begin exploring their identities and becoming who they truly are, but a new rare disease threatens their futures. [11] [12]
2"Episode 2"Peter HoarRussell T Davies29 January 2021 (2021-01-29)5.11 [10]
1983. Despite education outreach by AIDS activists and growing reports of gay men dying from a new sickness, Ritchie remains in denial and spreads conspiracy theories and AIDS denialism. An old friend in their group has some devastating news of his own when Jill visits him. Colin and his boss go on a business trip to New York, which has unexpected results. [13] [14]
TV series
Novels
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