After sweeping up major wins at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards, Mr Loverman is officially headed stateside.
BritBox has secured the North American rights to the acclaimed BBC drama from Sony Pictures Television, bringing the eight-episode series to viewers in the U.S. and Canada beginning June 4. The streamer plans to roll the show out two episodes at a time.
The pickup arrives just weeks after Lennie James took home the BAFTA for Leading Actor, with Ariyon Bakare also winning in the Supporting Actor category. (Yes, the show has heat.)
Based on Bernardine Evaristo’s celebrated novel, the drama centers on Barrington Jedidiah Walker — known to friends as Barry — a charismatic 70-year-old Caribbean-born man living in Hackney. To the outside world, Barry is devoted to his wife of 50 years, Carmel, played by Sharon D Clarke. In reality, he has long been in love with his best friend and soulmate, Morris. When secrets can no longer stay buried, the fallout threatens to unravel everything.
Produced by Fable with executive producers Faye Ward, Hannah Price, Hannah Farrell, James, and Hong Khaou — who also directs — the series made its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival before airing in the UK last fall.
For Sony and Fable, the BritBox deal is notable. International acquisitions in the U.S. have been tougher to land as buyers prioritize domestic originals and trim budgets. But BritBox’s mandate as a home for standout UK storytelling makes Mr Loverman a natural fit.
With awards momentum, critical acclaim, and performances people can’t stop talking about, American audiences are about to see what the UK already knows.
Barry is that man.