The eight-part drama, based on Bernardine Evaristo's novel, has a rare depiction of a love affair between two elderly black men at its heart. Mr Loverman's main character, Antiguan-born Barrington "Barry" Walker, (Lennie James), is a father, grandfather and pillar of his community, married for 50 years to his wife, Carmel (Sharon D Clarke). But the real love of his life is his best mate, Morris (Ariyon Bakare) - and their decades-long secret will have a corrosive effect on them, the women in their lives and their children.
For Marc Thompson, 55, the black LGBTQ+ activist who is lead commissioner for the London HIV Prevention Programme, watching Mr Loverman - which aired on iPlayer and BBC One this week - has been "beautiful" and "bittersweet".
"Very often we don't get representations of black life and black gay life done well - all my expectations were exceeded," Thompson said. "It was an amazing drama, I came away feeling seen, really emotional." Thompson came out in 1985 and says he has watched the black LGBTQ+ community grow from a "village where everyone knew each other" into a "city with many different boroughs".
Denne historien er fra October 19, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 19, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Hurricane Oscar adds to Cuba crisis after massive power cut
Hurricane Oscar has dumped heavy rain across the eastern end of Cuba, adding to a list of woes besetting the Caribbean's biggest island, which was hit at the weekend by a massive power cut.
Female players demand Fifa scrap Saudi sponsorship
More than 100 professional female footballers have signed a letter calling on Fifa to end its sponsorship deal with the state-owned Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, accusing Saudi authorities of \"brutal human rights violations\".
Silent treatment Arteta admits discipline 'issue' but won't discuss it with players
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal have an issue with red cards but believes the remedy lies in not discussing the problem within the squad.
"There's no ceiling here': Cash hails Villa potential
Matty Cash has said Aston Villa \"has not got a ceiling\" under Unai Emery before the two-year anniversary of the manager's appointment, as the Spaniard outlined his wish to continue to \"break barriers\" by becoming Champions League regulars.
We must stick together - it's the only way to bring peace to Ukraine'
The big interview Oleskandr Zinchenko Arsenal full-back opens up on the pain of following the war from overseas and reflects on the belief instilled within him by Guardiola and Arteta
No review of Saudi Newcastle deal despite Bin Salman claims
The Premier League sees no reason to review the legality of Newcastle's takeover by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund after reports of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman's extensive involvement in the deal.
VAR conspiracy theories are nonsense but stem from helpless fans' plight
Another weekend, another slew of wearying arguments about VAR and refereeing. At Bournemouth, Arsenal fans called the referee Robert Jones \"a cheat\" and chanted that the Premier League was \"corrupt\". On social media, the outrage was even greater. Fans have always complained about referees, of course, but traditionally they called them \"blind\" and dismissed them as \"wankers\" or \"bastards\". Then came the \"You're not fit to referee\" song; the cries of systemic corruption, though, are relatively new.
Van Dijk reveals he is in talks over extending Anfield career
Virgil van Dijk has revealed he is in \"ongoing\" discussions regarding a new contract with Liverpool but admitted he remains unclear about his future at the club.
Lopetegui not in imminent peril of being sacked
Julen Lopetegui is not in imminent danger of the sack despite growing alarm at West Ham about their poor start to the season. The club, languishing in 15th after losing 4-1 against Tottenham on Saturday, are keen to give Lopetegui time after appointing him last summer as David Moyes's successor.
Game nearing 'crisis point' in schools, new report warns
The Rugby Football Union has been warned it is facing an existential crisis and has been urged to make radical changes in schools rugby to avoid becoming a \"declining minority sport\" that could weaken Steve Borthwick's England side amid a damaging decline in participation.