Lennie James leads the drama based on Bernardine Evaristo’s hit novel.
The BBC have released the first pictures from their forthcoming adaptation of Mr Loverman.
The series, adapted from Bernardine Evaristo’s acclaimed 2013 novel, stars Lennie James as the exuberant Barrington Jedidiah Walker.
Sharon D. Clarke takes the role of Carmel Walker, Barrington’s wife of five decades.
Also announced are Ariyon Bakare (His Dark Materials) playing Barrington’s best friend and soulmate, Morris De La Roux, with Tamara Lawrance (Time) and Sharlene Whyte (Small Axe) as Barrington and Carmel’s daughters, Maxine and Donna. Additionally, Tahj Miles (Death in Paradise), will play Daniel, Donna’s son and Carmel and Barrington’s grandson.
Keenan Munn-Francis will star as a young Barrington opposite Gabin Kongolo as a young Morris. Lauren Akosia also joins the cast as a young Carmel, known as Carmelita.
The cast also includes Suzette Llewellyn, Lochlann Ó Mearáin, Hopi Grace, Llewella Gideon, Doreene Blackstock, Juliet Garricks and Clint Dyer.
Here’s what we know about Mr Loverman:
Barrington Jedidiah Walker, Barry to his mates, is a seventy-four year old, Antiguan born, exuberant Hackney personality, renowned for his dapper taste and fondness for retro suits. Carmel, his wife of 50 years, senses that Barry has been cheating on her with other women. Little does she know what’s really going on: a secret, passionate affair with his best friend and soulmate, Morris.
Now facing the final chapter of his life, Barry has big choices to make that will force his whole family to question their futures.
Bringing to life Bernardine Evaristo’s ground-breaking exploration of Britain’s older Caribbean community, ‘Mr Loverman’ is a life-affirming story about family, love, and being true to yourself.
Mr Loverman is adapted by Nathaniel Price (Noughts + Crosses) and directed by Hong Khaou (Alice & Jack). Irma Inniss produces. Executive producers are Faye Ward, Hannah Farrell and Hannah Price for Fable Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Lennie James and Hong Khaou will also executive produce and Nathaniel Price will associate produce.
The series was filmed in and around London and also in Antigua. It comes to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.