Mr Loverman is a life-affirming gay love story on BBC1. Lennie James won legions of fans with his portrayal of the troubled but lovable Nelly in Save Me, and now he’s taking on the equally complex character of Barrington Jedidiah Walker in Mr Loverman on BBC1.
Based on the bestselling novel Mr Loverman by Bernadine Evaristo, the eight-part series follows Antiguan-born Barrington Walker, known as Barry to his mates, a big character known around his hometown of Hackney for his penchant for retro suits. Carmel (Sharon D Clarke), his wife of 50 years, suspects that Barry has been cheating on her with other women but little does she know that for decades he’s been having a passionate love affair with his best friend and soulmate Morris (Ariyon Bakare). And now he’s hit 70, Barry has some big choices to make that will rock his family to its foundations. Talking about the series, which has been described as ‘an incisive portrait of a family, exploring aspirations and regret, parenthood, and social expectations about sexual orientation and love’.
Here’s everything you need to know about Mr Loverman on BBC1 and BBCIplayer...
Mr Loverman release date
Mr Loverman is an eight-part series that starts on BBC1 on Monday October 14 2024 with a double bill at 9pm and 9.30pm, running as weekly double bills on BBC1. All eight episodes will become available on BBCiPlayer from 6am on October 14 2024. As soon as we hear of a US or international release date, we’ll post it on here.
Is there a trailer for Mr Loverman?
Yes a Mr Loverman trailer has now been released by the BBC which shows the fun and joy in Barrington's family, plus the frustrations and arguments. Take a look below....
Mr Loverman plot
Mr Loverman follows Barrington ‘Barry’ Walker, who has a big personality and a dapper sense of style. He was born in Antigua but lives in Hackney, east London, and even at 70 has quite a way with the ladies. His wife Carmel senses that he’s had affairs with other women over the years but has no idea that Barry’s real love is for his best friend Morris. Now he’s entering a new stage of his life, Barry must decide whether to finally be himself, and embrace his sexuality, or continue to conform to the societal expectations around him. And if he’s true to himself, it means hurting Carmel, his daughters and maybe even his lover.
Mr Loverman cast — Lennie James on playing Barrington Jedidiah Walker, aka Barry
The main star of Mr Loverman is Lennie James who plays Barrington Jedidiah Walker, aka Barry, a man carrying a heavy secret. Here's what he told us about the role...
Were you familiar with the book the series is based on?
Lennie James says: "Yes, and I found from reading Bernadine’s book that Barrington was such a nuanced, complicated, challenging character. From the moment I read it, I said to my agent: ‘Can we keep an eye on this one and, if it ever comes around, please put me in line for the role!"
How would you describe the dynamic in this love triangle between Barrington, Morris and Carmel?
You’ve got the silent row that's still going on between Barry and his wife Carmel. There’s also the promise that's been made between Barry and Morris, and then you have Carmel, and how she feels being seen by the women whom she's known since she was a child."
Will viewers’ allegiances shift as the characters’ back stories unfold in flashback scenes?
"Yes, as things are revealed, the audience will be challenged to consider different aspects of the story. It's not as straightforward as: Is Barry coming out or isn't he coming out? And what are the obvious consequences of that? We also look at the less obvious consequences, and that’s a testament to the storytelling.
Barrington is in his mid-70s. How was it playing a much older character?
"It was really important not to do ‘old’ acting. I had to come up with an older version of myself to some extent, who wasn’t creaky and doddery."
Did Barrington’s distinctive fashion style help you get into the character?
"Barrington is a dapper gentleman! He is a man who is used to wearing suits, which was important because it is part of what he’s projecting out into the world, and also what he is using to hide himself from the world."
* Lennie James is best known for playing Nellie in the hit series Save Me. He has also starred in Line of Duty, Cold Feet, 24 Hour Party People, The Walking Dead, Lie to Me, Jericho and Get On Up.
Who else is starring in Mr Loverman?
The remaining cast for Mr Loverman is three time Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke (Doctor Who, Informer), who joins the cast as Carmel Walker, Barrington’s wife of five decades. Ariyon Bakare (Life, His Dark Materials) plays Barrington’s best friend and soulmate, Morris De La Roux, and Tamara Lawrance (Get Millie Black, Time Series 2) and Sharlene Whyte (Small Axe, Stephen) star as Barrington and Carmel’s daughters, Maxine and Donna. Tahj Miles (Small Axe, Death in Paradise) plays Daniel, Donna’s son and Carmel and Barrington’s grandson.
Mr Loverman goes back in time to as Keenan Munn-Francis (Black Dog, Passing Strange) will star as a young Barrington opposite Gabin Kongolo (Bariau, The Suspect) as a young Morris.
Lauren Akosia (Whitstable Pearl, The Slaves) also joins the cast as a young Carmel, known as Carmelita while the series will also feature Suzette Llewellyn (EastEnders, Vera), Lochlann O'Mearáin (Joyride, Holding), Hopi Grace (Boiling Point, The Book of Clarence), Llewella Gideon (Top Boy, Small Axe), Doreene Blackstock (Sex Education, The Colour Room), Juliet Garricks (Murder They Hope, The Doctor) and Clint Dyer (Mine, Black Mirror) across the series.
Behind the scenes, locations and more on Mr Loverman
Mr Loverman was filmed in and around London and also in Antigua. It's directed by Hong Khaou (Baptiste, Lilting, Monsoon) and executive produced by Faye Ward, Hannah Farrell and Hannah Price for Fable Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Lennie James executive produces and writer Nathaniel Price associate produces. Fable Pictures is a SPT-backed company.
Mr Loverman screenwriter Nathaniel Price says: “From the moment I read Mr Loverman I fell in love with Barry, Morris, Carmel and the entire Walker family. Bernardine’s novel is not only a beautiful, truthful story, full deeply human characters, it is a vitally important one. It is unflinching in its challenge of cultural myths and stereotypes, and an exhibition of just how deep and far-reaching the consequences of prejudice and fear can be. It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to adapt this seminal work with the brilliant team at Fable to bring these unforgettable characters to life on screen.”
Faye Ward, Executive Producer for Fable Pictures adds: “We have long been fans of both Bernardine Evaristo’s work and the indomitable Lennie James - to bring the two together in an adaptation of Mr Loverman for the BBC with Nathaniel Price’s superb scripts has been a highlight of Fable Pictures to date. It’s got everything you could wish for in its rich and beautiful story, and dives right to the heart of family with all its complexities.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama says: “Mr Loverman is a must-read novel, and in the skilled hands of Nathaniel, Lennie and the Fable team it’s soon to be must-see television. I can’t think of a more perfect team to bring Bernardine’s exquisite story to the screen.”
