Watch Mr Loverman on BBC iPlayer from Monday, October 14.
Barrington Jedidiah Walker (Lennie James), also known as Barry to his mates, is a 74-year-old, Antiguan-born, exuberant Hackney personality renowned for his dapper taste and fondness for retro suits. Carmel (Sharon D Clarke), 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 (Ariyon Bakare).
Now facing the final chapter of his life, Barry has big choices to make that will force his whole family to question their futures.
Q: What made you write Mr Loverman? Was there an inspiration behind the story?
I’m always interested in writing about the silences in our society and literary culture and bringing to the fore stories and characters that have hitherto been underexplored. In 2009, when I began writing this novel, I had long been aware that the Windrush Generation had always been presented as completely heterosexual, which cannot be an accurate depiction of that demographic. The idea of an elderly, Caribbean gay protagonist seemed the perfect way to address this.
Q: How would you summarise Mr Loverman for those that aren’t familiar?
It’s a novel about the consequences of not being true to yourself. More specifically, it’s about a 74-year-old gay Londoner, originally from Antigua, who is a married father and grandfather who has hidden his sexuality his whole life.
Q: Barrington is such a unique protagonist. How did you get the idea of Barrington and his characteristics?
It might seem strange to say this, but in a way, Barrington wrote himself. Sometimes, a character emerges fully formed, first through his voice, and then I build a life around him. As a character, he is as flawed as they come, with deep desires, fears, and contradictions, but he’s also very charismatic and funny. I took great pleasure in creating and serving him to the world.
Q: Both the book and the series have different, complex, and contrasting themes. Can you talk us through them?
The series is very faithful to the book, which is a multi-layered exploration of sexuality and forbidden and hidden love and desire; the pressures of familial duty, sacrifice dynamics and secrets; conformity versus owning your individuality; and Caribbean masculinity and homophobia.
Q: What was it like having your book adapted for the screen?
It’s the first time any of my books have been adapted for the screen, so it’s a new and revelatory experience for me. To my great relief, I absolutely love every aspect of the series, from the script to the casting, direction, set design, costumes, soundtrack, and cinematography. The series is very faithful to the book in terms of storylines, characters, and even some of the dialogue. Yet, Nathaniel Price, the brilliant writer and adapter, has created a very impactful structure and incorporated many of his own flourishes.
Q: What can you tell us about that process? How involved were you in bringing the story to the screen?
I saw Nathaniel’s script at various stages and offered some feedback, but as soon as I started reading his adaptation, I knew he had captured the soul of the novel. It’s an exemplary adaptation. I wasn’t overly involved in the production, although it was exciting to visit the set at various times and see the material realisation of the novel in physical forms, such as the set, furniture, and props, when everything had thus far only existed in my imagination.
Q: What do you think of the actors’ interpretations of your characters?
Hand on heart, without exception, I was deeply impressed to see that the actors had brought my characters to life with such talent and accomplishment. As their creator, the characters are so close to me that I know them inside and out, but seeing them on the screen as real people brought a powerful level of intimacy I didn’t expect. My words made flesh, literally.
Q: What do you hope audiences will take from this series?
I’ve attended several screenings thus far, and people have laughed and cried. It’s a drama that constantly shifts from comedy to tragedy, creating an emotional rollercoaster. I hope audiences will find it entertaining and gain new insights into the series’ themes.
Q: What advice would you give to any aspiring writers?
Sometimes aspiring writers don’t realise that reading is part of their training. Writers need to maintain a rigorous reading practice, whether in poetry, novels, or scripts, because this is how they will absorb the art form and develop a sensitivity to its workings. If people are writing scripts, they also need to watch screen drama through a script-critical lens – analysing and deconstructing the mechanics at play. Through hard work and dedication, aspiring writers will improve their skills. Talent is only a small part of being a writer; it’s how we nurture it that makes all the difference.
Watch Mr Loverman on BBC One and iPlayer from October 14.
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