BBC viewers say the same thing minutes into new drama Mr Loverman

Mr Loverman viewers were quick to praise the powerful and emotional drama series just minutes into Monday's first episode.

On Monday night, the new drama, adapted from Bernardine Evaristo's book Mr Loverman, aired a double bill of the first and second episodes on BBC One.

The new show follows Barrington Jedidiah Walker (Lennie James), a 74-year-old exuberant Hackney personality who was born in Antigua, and his wife of 50 years, Carmel Walker (Sharon D Clarke), who senses Barry has been cheating on her with other women.

However, little does she know he is embarking 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.

Viewers were quick to heap praise on the new drama series, and many also shared their love for the book, which was released in 2013.

Taking to Twitter, now X, one person said: "I enjoyed the first two #MrLoverman episodes, a heartfelt story which I’m looking forward to seeing develop."

a different account wrote: "What a lovely piece of storytelling. #MrLoverman," while another added: "Loving it thought-provoking also very funny #MrLoverman."

Elsewhere, a different viewer put: "Loving #MrLoverman on the @BBC. Amazing acting, Lennie James is fantastic. Well done."

A different account wrote: "Binged all of #mrloverman today. Powerful. Emotional. Funny. Cast and crew should be immensely proud."

Another said: "So I’ve just finished binging #MrLoverman and what a beautiful love story going through decades, it was both funny and touching. Do yourself a favour and watch it" while a different account added: "Well .... this is excellent, great book, great cast, great acting - what's not to love #MrLoverman."

It comes as Mr Loverman star Lennie has said the show’s "grown-up love story" will not "patronise" its audience. Lennie, who plays Barrington and is also an executive producer on the programme, said he hoped the show would take viewers into a world "they might think they know, but they might be surprised by how much they don’t know – in the sense of this particular love story between these two men but the particulars of these two men being older, West Indian immigrants to the UK."

Meanwhile, Lennie's co-star, Ariyon, who plays Morris, said he hoped the audience would become "more understanding about people coming out" after watching it.

All episodes of Mr Loverman are available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes also airing weekly on Mondays at 9pm on BBC One.