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The UK’s AIDS Epidemic Takes the Spotlight in the Drama ‘It’s a Sin’
“It’s a Sin” is a British television drama series created by Russell T. Davies, which follows a group of young gay men who move to London in the early 1980s and become caught up in the rising HIV/AIDS epidemic. The show is a poignant deep-dive into the impact that the epidemic had on the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
The series is set during a time when the AIDS crisis was just beginning to emerge, and little was known about the disease and how it was transmitted, especially in the UK. As such, the show is not only a powerful work of historical fiction but also a vital reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and the stigma and discrimination that continue to surround it.
The plot of “It’s a Sin” is based on Russell Davies’ real life, and it revolves around a group of young gay men who move to London to pursue their dreams and find a sense of community. The central character is Ritchie Tozer, played by Years and Years’ Olly Alexander, who is a young man from a conservative family on the Isle of Wight. Ritchie is eager to explore his sexuality and embrace his identity as a gay man, but he soon finds himself confronted with the harsh realities of the AIDS epidemic.
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As the series progresses, we see the impact the disease has on Ritchie and his friends, as well as their families and loved ones, as bar nights transform into hospital bedsides and funerals. The show does an excellent job of portraying the initial denial and disbelief that many people felt when confronted with the disease, as well as the fear and desperation that set in as more and more people began to fall ill. It also depicts the homophobia, racism, sexual harassment, classism, and prejudice in the medical field that the community had to face.
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The series also explores how the epidemic affected different communities, particularly the gay community, which was disproportionately affected by the disease. We see how HIV/AIDS became stigmatized and associated with shame and moral judgment, and how this stigma made it difficult for people to seek the care and support they needed.
One of the most striking aspects of “It’s a Sin” is its emotional depth and sensitivity. The show does not shy away from the difficult realities of the AIDS epidemic, nor does it sentimentalize or romanticize the suffering of those affected. Instead, the series portrays the horror of the epidemic humanly and compassionately, highlighting the ways it impacted the lives of individuals and their loved ones.
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The acting in “It’s a Sin” is also exceptional, with each actor bringing a unique, nuanced performance to their role. Olly Alexander, in particular, gives a standout performance as Ritchie, capturing the range of emotions that he experiences as he confronts his own mortality and the loss of his friends and loved ones.
In an interview with the New York Times, Davies said that he wanted to illustrate the devastation of the era to viewers by creating characters that they would love. “So that when they’re gone, you miss them exactly the same way we missed the people that we lost,” he said.
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What further helps the series feel so genuine isn’t just the characters based on real people but also that the actors playing these gay men are in the LGBTQ+ community themselves, which was one of Davies’ requirements. And for one actor, the subject matter hit home even more; Nathaniel J. Hall, who played Donald Bassett, contracted HIV at age 16.
“It’s a Sin” is a powerful and invaluable work of television that tackles the subject of HIV/AIDS with sensitivity, intelligence, and emotional depth. The series is a vital reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and the need for greater awareness and understanding of the disease. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of HIV/AIDS, as well as those who are committed to promoting greater awareness and understanding of this issue.
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