2 years ago we recommended Netflix’s Heartstopper and in many ways Daf James’ BBC iPlayer 3-parter is its older, more flawed yet completely relatable grown up older brother.

• Read on for reasons including Sion Daniel Young, Fra Fee and Elizabeth Berrington

1. It’s very moving

Gabriel and Andy are a gay couple living in Wales who have been together for 8 years and want to adopt a child. They begin the process of adoption thanks to their social worker Jackie and Andy is excited while his drag queen partner Gabriel is less so. We learn Gabriel had an unhappy childhood with a homophobic father and the early death of his mother.

2. It’s very funny but also very dark

Gabriel and Andy dress as Superman (see main picture and clip above) for a ‘speed dating’ adoption event and while retreating from it they are overheard by young Jake who is hiding under the sofa they kiss on. Later a cover of Tears For Fears‘ brilliant Mad World is used to explore Gabriel’s addiction issues that threaten his relationship but also the adoption.

3. Great use of original music and covers

Cardiff’s gay club Neverland is where Gabriel works and means it’s also a natural setting for moving performances of songs including the original title track and a cover of Erasure‘s A Little Respect.

4. The entire cast is fantastic and includes monsta-winner Sharon D Clarke

Theatregoers will be familiar with Sion Daniel Young (On Bear Ridge, Royal Court Theatre) as Gabriel and Fra Fee (Cabaret, Kit Kat Club) as Andy. There’s also a great turn as a sympathetic social worker by Elizabeth Berrington and Sharon D Clarke (who won our Best Theatre Actress monsta for Caroline, Or Change).

5. It’s occasionally subtitled

Welsh is spoken in Wales and features in subtitled sections here. Given the location, it feels natural for it to be used here and the drama also explores the inclusivity of language but also the exclusivity and difference, or alienation, by not understanding/refusing to communicate in another language.

6. It’s on BBC iPlayer so you can watch it all for free now

We loved the 1st episode so much we were able to binge the rest of it on BBC iPlayer and long may it continue to remain there. There’s also been discussion about the possibility of a 2nd series of Lost Boys and Fairies. We’d love to find out exactly what happens to these characters after the dramatic events of the 1st series.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy Lost Boys And Fairies and BBC iPlayer
• Have you seen this show before and what did you think of it? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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