Mr Loverman official trailer
New romantic drama Mr Loverman stars actors from the likes of The Walking Dead and Doctor Who. Based on Bernardine Evaristo's acclaimed 2013 novel, the eight-part drama focuses on the love between two best friends spanning several decades.
The BBC series introduces viewers to Barry (played by Lennie James) who, beneath the facade of marriage to his unsuspecting wife Carmel (portrayed by Sharon D Clarke), carries on an affair with his best mate Morris (Ariyon Bakare).
In the final stage of his life, Barry is conflicted over their affair and whether to tell his family. The drama begins with its first two instalments airing back-to-back on Monday, October 14 at 9pm on BBC One, followed by the entire series available on the BBC iPlayer.
Mr Loverman boasts a stellar ensemble cast pulled from the ranks of celebrated British television shows including Doctor Who, Casualty, Small Axe, as well as the international sensation The Walking Dead.
Who appears in new BBC series Mr Loverman?
Lennie James plays Barrington Jedidiah Walker
Lennie James takes centre stage as Barrington Jedidiah Walker or simply, Barry to his friends. The 74 year old originally hailing from Antigua now based in Hackney has been in a secret relationship with Morris.
Asked why Lennie took on the role, Lennie James said: "Any actor who saw and read Barry would like to play him as a character. He’s everything that would excite an actor – complicated, funny, a good dresser and harsh.
"He’s also a contradiction - loyal but disloyal, a good and bad husband, a good and bad father, a good and bad man.
"He loves and hates in equal measure. Every part of him is really interesting to me and would be to any actor. The opportunity to play him was a real no-brainer."
Lennie James, famed for his roles as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead, DCI Tony Gates in Line of Duty, Robert Hawkins in Jericho, and the lead in the gripping drama Save Me.
Sharon D Clarke plays Carmel Walker
Carmel Walker, portrayed by Sharon D Clarke, has been married to Barrington for over fifty years and suspects her husband of infidelity with various women. She grapples with the reality of Barry's affair with Morris and its impact on her life.
Discussing her character, Sharon said: "She's been in love with him since she was seventeen and she's just waiting for that love to be returned and it just isn't, so it then makes her bitter.
"It also makes her question herself – she has this good man, so why don’t they have this perfect lifestyle and why don’t they have the loving side of the relationship, the humane and gentle side?"
Sharon D Clarke, a three-time Olivier Award winner, is known for her portrayal of Lola Griffin in Holby City, Grace O'Brien in Doctor Who, and Virginia Hoult in the BBC drama Showtrial.
Ariyon Bakare plays Morris De La Roux
Barrington's best mate and secret lover, Morris De La Roux, has been a lifelong friend to Barry since their teenage years. Known affectionately as "Uncle Morris" within Barry's family circle, the pair's secret romance is about to come to light.
peaking about his role, Ariyon said: "Lennie is such a professional that between us we found this easy way to just fall into the part together and we just gelled. With Morris, as he’s the quiet man inside the family who sits in the corner and watches everything.
"He has already lost everything while he’s waiting for Barry, yet he’s entrenched in the Walker family – Barry’s children call him ‘Uncle Morris’, for example.
"For me, as Ariyon, I kept asking ‘how could you do this? How could you be the side piece and yet be so central and upfront sitting in the household, eating their food, loving his children and speaking to his wife?!’
"Those obstacles helped me play the part in some ways, and Hong helped me bring that out. They’ve all known each other for years and from their time in Antigua, they’re a community and within these communities these things happen."
Arlyon has also appeared in Life, Good Omens, His Dark Materials, as well as The Bill, Casualty and Holby City.
Tamara Lawrance plays Maxine Walker
Barry and Carmel's daughter Maxine Walker is portrayed by Tamara Lawrance. She may be familiar to audiences from her work in Get Millie Black and Time, and she has also graced the stage with her presence.
Sharlene Whyte plays Donna Walker
Sharlene Whyte portrays Maxine Walker, the daughter of Barry and Carmel. The actress is known for her role as Jenny Edwards in The Story of Tracy Beaker, and has also appeared in Sherwood, Waterloo Road, We Hunt Together and Stephen.
Tahj Miles plays Daniel
Tahj Miles takes on the role of Daniel, Barry's grandson who is preparing to go to university. Despite his promising future, he grapples with personal anxieties.
Tahj Miles is best recognised for his role as Officer Marlon Pryce in Death in Paradise, but he has also featured in Small Axe and Class Dismissed.
Full cast of BBC drama Mr Loverman
The full cast of Mr Loverman is as follows:
- Barrington (Barry) Jedidiah Walker – Lennie James (also an Executive Producer)
- Carmel Walker – Sharon D Clarke
- Morris De La Roux – Ariyon Bakare
- Maxine Walker – Tamara Lawrance
- Donna Walker – Sharlene Whyte
- Daniel – Tahj Miles
- Augusta – Juliet Garricks
- Odette De La Roux – Suzette Llewellyn
- Reuben Dempsey - Lochlann Ó Mearáin
- Miss Drusilla – Llewella Gideon
- Miss Merty – Hopi Grace
- Miss Candaisy – Doreene Blackstock
- Young Barry – Keenan Munn-Francis
- Young Morris – Gabin Kongolo
- Carmelita – Lauren Akosia
- Hubert – Clint Dyer
- Tony – Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
- Merle – Jessica Murrain
