A deadly unknown virus, and an uncertain future? No, we’re not talking about Coronavirus. Let’s go back to the 1980s with It’s A Sin; a new five episode mini-series on Channel 4 tackling the HIV and AIDS epidemic in London, featuring one of the most notoriously famous gay nightclubs, Heaven, in Charing Cross, London.
Credit: Channel 4
The series follows the lives of three young gay men, Ritchie Tozer (played by Olly Alexander, lead singer of Years & Years ), Colin-Morris Jones (played by Callum Scott Howells) and Roscoe Babatunde (played by Omari Douglas). The trio leave home for a new life at university in London. But it was not the experience they hoped for when the deadly virus began to affect their friendship group, killing off the main characters one by one.
There’s a huge 41 year gap between the year the series is set and the year we’re currently in, and It’s A Sin still manages to scarily map out our present-day reality. However, in the 1980s there was a disparity between the mostly gay community affected by AIDS, and the communities that did not suffer as a result of the virus, as the disease was labeled as the “gay plague." This cast a large shadow over the gay community, and It’s A Sin highlights that many people during the 80’s suffered in silence from a disease that many did not understand, even though the 80’s is now considered some of the best years in history.
Russel T Davies’ writing and portrayal of the early 80’s in Britain has perfectly captured the sentiment and politics surrounding the ignorance and prejudice of AIDS and the gay community. It’s A Sin is a truly landmark television program that will pull on your heartstrings, providing insight into the lives of a lovable collection of friends who stick together throughout some of the most trialling times in history, but also who learn to live and love despite the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Credit: Channel 4
The cast is brilliant. Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, and Lydia West all deserve special mentions for their superb acting and remaining sensitive to such a difficult topic. We are mesmerised by Douglas’ character's glorious style which features fine gauge sweater vests and high waisted acid wash jeans. Even though it’s 2021, we might even consider taking inspiration from his perfectly accurate 1980s wardrobe in the series.
The soundtrack, arranged by Murray Gold, also deserves its own credit . It is perfectly mixed with the theme of the program throughout, featuring many popular famous tracks from well-known bands and pop duos from the 1980s such as Joy Division’s charming track ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ and Wham’s famous fun-loving song ‘Freedom.’
One particular standout event in the series was the AIDS march.All the characters participated by lying out on the ground in the middle of the streets of London to protest “Aids Needs Aid” which stopped ongoing traffic and made a big commotion. This is one of the most powerful elements of the series, which proved a point to viewers on how much the gay community was completely ignored and disregarded during the 1980s HIV and AIDS epidemic.
It is an emotional rollercoaster, given the relatability in today’s lockdown climate, but further serves to justify its place in our society even more. She Her Them Magazine would love to see more of this program. Its impact goes far beyond our small television screens, and would even thrive on stage in the form of a play or musical to highlight the importance of the LGBTQ+ history. More stories like this need to be heard to educate young people now, and in the future. But for now, may the stories of the LGBTQ+ community continue to grow in importance, be spoken about even louder and heard for many more years to come.
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