A review of Years and Years, the controversial six part political drama based on the lives of an A-typical British family

Russell T Davis (of Dr Who writing fame) wrote this must-watch dystopian masterpiece, casting some well known faces including; Emma Thompson, Rory Kinnear, Russell Tovey and the lovely Anne Reid.

The first episode starts one night in 2019, with the Lyons family around the TV, a multicultural family, who are very much indicative of life in Britain today. Wee baby Lincoln is born, and the characters wonder what the future holds for him. “ What sort of world are we in, if it is this bad now, what is it going to be like in 30 years’ time…”, thus Russell Tovey as the adoring uncle expertly sets the scene; for this dystopian futuristic drama.

The characters in this drama are fabulous. 

I love Anne Reid as the grandmother (Muriel) with her witty, if at times inappropriate, comments. Muriel is so indicative of her generation; struggling to keep up with the times. Lydia West is equally fabulous as Bethany Bisme-Lyons; a teenager trying to find her identity who boldly announces that she wants to be trans-human. Is that really a thing? Who knows, but later in the episode when all looks bleak and Armageddon looms on the horizon, attitudes change and it is like “ you can be whatever you want to be”.

An important and necessary segway is that Emma Thompson is amazing!

She plays the egocentric politician Viv Rock, who kind of reminded me of a female version of Nigel Farrage. She is opinionated and controversial, and her catch phrase “I do not give a *****” is genius. People see her as an alternative and a way to rebel against the institution. Hmm... now that does sound familiar! Viv Rock is a politician for the people, and “all I want is for my bins to be collected" sums up her will to appeal to the masses.

Brexit ironically only gets a passing mention, maybe because no one really knew how that would pan out. Yet the underlying fear throughout is the threat of nuclear war; a dystopian fear, but also one from a bygone era. I did get the sense that we have been here before. However, the addition of Keith the gay robot was amusing. Also the glimpse into tech of the future was good, although I guess hardly surprising considering the writer's previous writing history. I particularly liked Bethany hiding behind her Snapchat façade. I guess we all would like to hide behind things at times! Especially behind a screen.

Overall this show is thought provoking and scary

This drama was definitely very fast paced, and at times hard to keep up with. However, it was the most thought provoking and yet at the same time scary drama I have ever watched. What can a future hold after the button is pressed, countries are angered, people have taken to the streets and chaos has ensued? I watched this originally when it first aired on live TV, but it seems almost to be even more appropriate in these pandemic times. Especially when politics are so polarised and conspiracy theories are aplenty. What does the next 15 years hold for civilization? A must-watch for anyone who likes dystopian dramas, or who is a fan of Dr Who. It really does make compelling viewing.

A big well done to the BBC, this is why I pay my TV licence.