Mr Loverman (TV series) explained

Screenplay:Nathaniel Price
Director:Hong Khaou
Starring:Lennie James
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:1
Num Episodes:8
Executive Producer:Lennie James
Company:Fable Pictures
Network:BBC One
Last Aired:present

Mr Loverman is a British TV series starring Lennie James based on the novel of the same name by Bernardine Evaristo.

Synopsis

Antiguan-born Londoner Barrington Jedidiah Walker (James) has his marriage collapse after a decades-long affair with his male best friend is revealed.[1]

Cast

Production

In June 2023, it was announced that Lennie James was to star and executive produce the eight-part series Mr Loverman for BBC One, based on the novel of the same name by Bernardine Evaristo. It is adapted by Nathaniel Price and the director is Hong Khaou.[2] [3]

Filming

Filming got underway in October 2023.[4] [5]

Filming locations included the island of Antigua (Antigua and Barbuda) in the Caribbean, as well as Queen's Park, London.[6]

Reception

The series had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June 2024, and was broadcast in the UK on 14 October 2024.[7]

The series was praised by critics: The Guardians Lucy Mangan described it as "magnificent", calling James and Clarke's performances "exquisite."[8] Writing for The Independent, Nick Hilton praised the show's "almost theatrical quality", observing that James "is as good as he’s ever been" while also praising Bakare's performance, concluding that the programme represented "a slim but moving testament to the enduring power of self-acceptance."[9]

Gabriel Tate of The Daily Telegraph called the show "fantastic", awarding its final episode five stars out of five,[10] while Abby Robinson for the Radio Times was more lukewarm, giving the programme three stars out of five but acknowledging that it was "both refreshing and vital" work.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Radio Times. 28 December 2023. Save Me star Lennie James leads BBC adaptation of Mr Loverman. David. Craig. 6 June 2023.
  2. Web site: 'Mr Loverman': Lennie James To Lead BBC Adaptation Of 'Girl, Woman, Other' Scribe Bernardine Evaristo's Seventh Novel. Deadline Hollywood. 28 December 2023. Max. Goldbart. June 6, 2023.
  3. Web site: New BBC drama adapted from Bernardine Evaristo novel will star Lennie James. The Independent. 28 December 2023. Charlotte. McLaughlin. 6 June 2023.
  4. Web site: 28 December 2023. The Cinemaholic. Lennie James' 'Mr Loverman' Starts Shooting in London in October. Sumith. Prasad. July 25, 2023.
  5. Web site: Filming begins on Mr Loverman with Lennie James. Theknowledgeonline. 28 December 2023. 9 October 2023.
  6. Web site: 28 December 2023. BBC shoot new drama series Mr Loverman at Queen's Park. Kilburn Times. 18 October 2023. Joseph. Reaidi.
  7. Web site: The Guardian. 28 December 2023. 'Guaranteed to be a banger': the 50 must-see TV shows for 2024. Stuart. Heritage. Kate. Abbott. 28 December 2023.
  8. Web site: Mr Loverman review – magnificent TV that will tear your heart open. The Guardian. Mangan. Lucy. 14 October 2024. 10 November 2024.
  9. Web site: Hilton . Nick . Mr Loverman review: A moving testament to the enduring power of self-acceptance . . 27 November 2024 . 14 October 2024.
  10. Web site: Mr Loverman, finale review: a fittingly messy and heart-rending end to a fantastic drama. The Telegraph. Tate. Gabriel. 4 November 2024. 10 November 2024.
  11. Web site: Robinson . Abby . Mr Loverman review: Line of Duty and Death in Paradise stars lead BBC adaptation . . 27 November 2024 . 14 October 2024.