Lennie James stars in BBC1's Mr Loverman as a 70-year-old man coming out as gay

BBC1's new series "Mr Loverman" features Lennie James as Barry, a 70-year-old man who comes out as gay, ending his long marriage. The show aims to keep the tone light, with the only tension arising from a confrontation with Barry's lover's wife. The eight-episode series, based on Bernardine Evaristo's book, explores Barry's secret love for his best friend Morris. Unlike other coming-out stories, it emphasizes dramatic emotions and reactions, particularly from Barry's wife, Carmel, and their daughter, Maxine. While the series touches on Barry's struggles, it often prioritizes humor and over-the-top performances, which can overshadow deeper themes. The portrayal of intimacy between Barry and Morris is subtle, leaving much to the audience's imagination.