Queers (miniseries)
Queers is a 2017 miniseries directed and produced by Mark Gatiss. It was created as part of the BBC's cycle "Gay Britannia"[1], to mark the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Sexual Offences Act 1967. The show features interviews with gay characters at the margins of the community. It was broadcast by BBC America in collaboration with AMC Networks.[2]
Episodes
The series has a total of 8 episodes, each consisting of one monologue. Every episode features a different speaker in a different year, spanning most of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century.[3]
| No. | Title | Written by | Year | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Man On The Platform" | Mark Gatiss | 1917 | Perce |
| 2 | "A Grand Day Out" | Michael Dennis | 1994 | Andrew |
| 3 | "More Anger" | Brian Fillis | 1987 | Phil |
| 4 | "Missing Alice" | Jon Bradfield | 1957 | Alice |
| 5 | "I Miss The War" | Matthew Baldwin | 1967 | Jackie |
| 6 | "Safest Spot In Town" | Keith Jarrett | 1941 | Fredrick |
| 7 | "The Perfect Gentleman" | Jackie Clune | 1929 | Bobby |
| 8 | "Something Borrowed" | Gareth McLean | 2016 | Steve |
Cast and characters [4]
- Ben Whishaw as Perce, a soldier in World War I.
- Fionn Whitehead as Andrew, a young man who took part in the protests after the defeat of a proposed amendment that would've equalized the age of consent of same-sex sexual activities to 16.
- Russell Tovey as Phil, an actor.
- Rebecca Front as Alice, the wife of a closeted gay man.
- Ian Gelder as Jackie, a tailor recalling his experiences in World War II London.
- Kadiff Kirwan as Fredrick, as an immigrant from the West Indies.
- Gemma Whelan as Bobby, a woman posing as a gentleman.
- Alan Cumming as Steve, a man preparing his wedding speech.
Reception
The Guardian called the show empathatic and warm and said that it was "the kind of TV that should be shown in schools".[5] The Independent, discussing the visceral nature of the eight episodes, called them "dramatic gems".[6]. The Times said that the show was funny, poignant and closely observed.[7]
References
- "BBC - Gay Britannia". BBC. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- Clarke, Stewart (9 August 2017). "BBC America to Show Mark Gatiss' Gay Britannia Series 'Queers'". Variety.
- "BBC Four - Queers - Episode guide". BBC. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- Queers, retrieved 2020-04-26
- Raeside, Julia (2 June 2017). "Queer Britain review – the kind of TV that should be shown in schools". The Guardian.
- O'Grady, Sean (1 August 2017). "TV Review: 'Queers' (BBC4): Not out and proud". The Independent.
- Billen, Andrew. "TV review: Queers; Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds". The Times.