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IT’s A Sin has been touted as one of the most hotly anticipated dramas of 2021.
The new series is rooted in a real-life story of tragedy, but also strong friendship.
It’s A Sin, starring Keeley Hawes, follows the story of when Aids became prevalent in the 1980sCredit: TV Company
Who’s in the cast of Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin?
Keeley Hawes as Valerie Tozer
Keeley plays the mum of closeted son Ritchie who goes off to London to live as his true self.
She has said of her character that Valerie is “complicated, but at the same time she’s incredibly straight forward”.
Keeley is a familiar face on British TV screens having starred in Bodyguard alongside Richard Madden as well as Finding Alice with Joanna Lumley.
The actress, who met her husband while filming Spooks, Matthew Macfadyen, had roles in ITV drama series The Durrells, which ended in 2019, as well as BBC’s Line of Duty.
Olly Alexander as Ritchie Tozer
Years & Years singer Olly Alexander plays Ritchie Tozer in It’s A SinCredit: Channel4
Lead singer of the band Years & Years, Olly Alexander, plays the lead character of Ritchie.
He leaves his home on the Isle of Wight without having coming out to his parents.
The musician has had a few acting credits over the years including roles in Penny Dreadful and Skins.
Omari Douglas as Roscoe Babatunde
Omari plays Roscoe, who is disowned by his family when he comes out.
The character’s his homophobic, God-fearing parents are preparing to send him to Nigeria to be cured of his “gayness”.
This is Omari’s fist major TV role after appearing in 2019 film Wise Children.
Omari, who was born after the worst of the Aids crisis, told PinkNews it was thrilling to film with Stephen Fry who had “lived through it”.
Stephen Fry as Arthur Garrison
Stephen Fry plays MP Arthur GarrisonCredit: PA:Press Association
Stephen is cast as Arthur Garrison, an MP who is trying to impress Margaret Thatcher, as well as keep his sexuality under wraps.
Stephen is a regular on our screens having come to prominence in comedy double act Fry and Laurie.
He and Hugh Laurie went on to star in Jeeves and Webster from 1990 to 1993.
He hosted quiz QI for close to 200 episodes and acted in films such as Gosford Park and V For Vendetta.
Other cast members include
What is It’s A Sin about?
The Channel 4 drama follows four young friends in the 1980s who watch their worlds unravel over the first decade of the HIV pandemic.
The Years & Years singer Olly Alexander plays Ritchie Tozer, the golden boy of his family who is determined to keep his secrets from them after moving to London to start a new life in 1981.
A synopsis for the series reads: “Strangers at first, Ritchie and his pals Roscoe and Colin, along with their best friend Jill, find themselves thrown together and soon share each other’s adventures.
“But a new virus is on the rise, and soon their lives will be tested in ways they never imagined.
“As the decade passes, and they grow up in the shadow of AIDS, they’re determined to live and love more fiercely than ever.”
It’s A Sin is one of the highly-anticipated dramas in 2021Credit: Channel4
When is It’s A Sin on Channel 4?
It’s A Sin’s first episode will hit screens TONIGHT (22 February) and will air a new episode each week.
It will begin at 9pm on Channel 4 and the entire series will also be available to stream on All 4.
Speaking about his latest role, Olly said: “I feel like the luckiest boy in the world to be a part of this project, I’ve been a fan of Russell T Davies ever since I watched Queer As Folk in secret at 14 years old.
“His work helped shape my identity as a gay person so I’m absolutely over the moon we’ll be working together.
“The script was amazing to read, I laughed and I cried a lot, it’s a privilege to be helping to tell this story and I’m so excited.”
