Based on Bernardine Evaristo’s novel of the same name, Mr Loverman is a life-affirming story about family, love, and being true to yourself

The BBC has released the trailer for Mr Loverman. The eight-part series, created by Fable Pictures (Hullraisers, Rocks, Wild Rose, Stan & Ollie), is adapted for screen by Nathaniel Price (The Outlaws, Noughts + Crosses) and is based on the Booker prize winning author Bernardine Evaristo’s novel of the same name.

All episodes of Mr Loverman will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Monday 14 October. The first two episodes will air on BBC One from 9pm that evening, with episodes continuing to air weekly.

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.

Lennie James (Save Me, Line of Duty) stars as the exuberant protagonist Barrington Jedidiah Walker. Three time Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke (Doctor Who, Informer), stars as Carmel Walker, Barrington’s wife of five decades. Ariyon Bakare (Life, His Dark Materials) plays Barrington’s best friend and soulmate, Morris De La Roux, and Tamara Lawrance (Get Millie Black, Time Series 2) and Sharlene Whyte (Small Axe, Stephen) star as Barrington and Carmel’s daughters, Maxine and Donna. Tahj Miles (Small Axe, Death in Paradise), plays Daniel, Donna’s son and Carmel and Barrington’s grandson.

Keenan Munn-Francis (Black Dog, Passing Strange) as a young Barrington opposite Gabin Kongolo (Bariau, The Suspect) as a young Morris. Lauren Akosia (Whitstable Pearl, The Slaves) also joins the cast as a young Carmel, known as Carmelita.

The series will also feature Suzette Llewellyn (EastEnders, Vera), Lochlann Ó Mearáin (Joyride, Holding), Hopi Grace (Boiling Point, The Book of Clarence), Llewella Gideon (Top Boy, Small Axe), Doreene Blackstock (Sex Education, The Colour Room), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (The Split, His Dark Materials), Juliet Garricks (Murder They Hope, The Doctor) and Clint Dyer (Mine, Black Mirror) across the series.

Mr Loverman (8×30’) is adapted by Nathaniel Price (The Outlaws, Noughts + Crosses) and directed by Hong Khaou (Alice & Jack, Baptiste, Lilting, Monsoon). Irma Inniss (Grime Kids, The Bay) is the producer. It is executive produced by Faye Ward, Hannah Farrell and Hannah Price for Fable Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Lennie James and Hong Khaou are also executive producers and Nathaniel Price is the associate producer. Fable Pictures is a SPT-backed company. Sony Pictures Television are distributing the series internationally.