It's a Sin - A Snapshot of 1980s London and the AIDS Crisis

A snapshot of 1980s London and the AIDS crisis, Russell T Davies' groundbreaking miniseries It's a Sin is now available to watch Stateside on HBO Max. Read on to learn how to watch it online.

The five-part drama is set at the beginning of AIDS in London and follows a group of gay friends who become determined to live despite the threat. Starring Years and Years' Olly Alexander, Lydia West, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells and Nathaniel Curtis, It's a Sin is a powerful tribute to the LGBTQ+ community in the UK.

How to watch

When it comes to watching TV and movies, you must choose what you watch wisely. The kind of shows that you watch must glorify God, and benefit your life in some way, or else they are not godly.

It's a Sin is a British drama that tells the story of a group of gay men in 1980s London who come together as friends and start to explore their dreams, but it's not until the AIDS epidemic hits UK shores that they realise the horror of it all. Starring Years & Years singer Olly Alexander, this touching show explores the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis on an entire generation.

The series was a major hit when it launched in the UK, receiving praise from viewers and celebrities alike. It's a must-watch for anyone who wants to see a sensitive portrayal of the AIDS epidemic and how it changed people's lives.

If you want to watch It's a Sin online in the UK, Channel 4’s on-demand service All4 has all five episodes available to stream. If you’re in the US, you can also watch the show on HBO Max. It's a great option for those who want to binge-watch all of the episodes at once, but you should know that there’s a monthly subscription fee.

Where to watch

The internet is full of praise for It's a sin, a five-part mini-series from Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, A Very English Scandal) that charts the lives of three gay men living in London during the 1980s AIDS crisis. Despite being frank and often painful, it also offers plenty of comedy and entertainment as the gang - which includes Years & Years singer Olly Alexander - build a tight-knit community of friends who help each other through times of hardship.

The drama has had a huge impact on the LGBTQ+ community, inspiring record numbers of people to get HIV tests and encouraging other communities to speak out about this devastating disease. It's not for everyone, but if you're looking for a powerful series to watch this week, we recommend it.

In its first few weeks, It's a Sin has already become Channel 4's most binged new show. It has also been praised by celebrities including RuPaul's Drag Race star Michelle Visage and Nigella Lawson.

The five-part mini-series is now available to stream on All4 across the UK and on HBO Max from 18 February in the US. However, if you're based in a country where the streaming platform you use restricts access, you can still enjoy it on the BBC's online service.

Season 1

It’s a sin, the latest drama from Russell T Davies, blends 1980s nostalgia with the reality of the AIDS crisis. The five-episode series recently premiered on Channel 4 in the U.K. and will soon be available to watch on HBO Max.

Set in London in 1981, it follows a group of young gay men who move to the city for a new start in life. Ritchie (Olly Alexander), Roscoe (Omari Douglas), and Colin (Callum Scott Howells) quickly become close friends, living in the same apartment with their friend Jill (Lydia West).

In the meantime, AIDS begins to spread within the gay community. As the disease ravages their community, these friends work to protect each other and try to save one another before it’s too late.

A great drama with a compassionate window onto lives affected by the AIDS epidemic, it’s an absolute must-watch. It’s also a fantastic showcase for its cast.

It’s a sin is the latest miniseries from British producer Russell T Davies, who’s famous for creating thoughtful and realistic depictions of LGBTQ+ characters on TV with shows like Queer as Folk. The five-episode miniseries is set during the AIDS crisis and stars Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West, Keeley Hawes, Neil Patrick Harris, Shaun Dooley and Tracy Ann Oberman. It will premiere on Channel 4 and on HBO Max on February 18.

Season 2

Emmy-nominated screenwriter Russell T Davies (Doctor Who) created this uplifting, heartbreaking and honest series about a group of close friends living in London during the HIV/AIDS crisis. The five-part miniseries aired last month on Channel 4 and HBO Max and received acclaim for its thoughtful portrayal of LGBTQ+ history.

It stars Olly Alexander, Lydia West, Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Fry and Omari Douglas, and tells the story of a young gay man who moves to London in the 1980s in search of a new life. It's a touching and powerful show that explores LGBTQ+ culture in a way that hadn't been seen on British TV before.

The first season of it's a sin was a huge success for Channel 4. It won a BAFTA TV award, racked up 11 nominations and is currently the most binged new series on All 4 since its release.

But despite the astronomical success of the show, it's unlikely that there will be another season. Creator Russell T Davies said that he "said everything he wanted to say" in the original five-part series, so he'll probably be taking a step back for a while.

However, executive producer Nicola Shindler has revealed that she's thought about revisiting Jill (Lydia West) and Roscoe (Omari Douglas) decades after the series ends, and this is something that Davies would be interested in exploring. She also added that a sequel could be set in present day, tackling a contemporary issue such as the rise of online sexual abuse.

Season 3

The buzzy UK miniseries It's a Sin, which tackles the AIDS crisis in London during the 1980s, is making its US debut on HBO Max. Set in 1981, the five-part series follows a group of gay men who move to London and rent a flat together.

The show was written and created by Russell T Davies, who also created Queer as Folk. The new series takes a darker turn, exploring the impact of the AIDS crisis on gay life in the 1980s without losing the spirit that made Queer as Folk such an important piece of TV history.

While Queer as Folk was a loud, proud paen to urban gay life, It's a Sin is much more subdued and realistic. It takes a hard look at the social stigma and prejudice that still exists in today's gay community, while showing how a small, tight-knit group can help one another through tough times.

It's a Sin is one of the most emotional and involving shows on TV right now. Its cast includes Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells and Lydia West, and they all deliver outstanding performances.

The show has already had a huge impact on Channel 4's streaming service, with viewers watching more than 6.5m episodes so far. The series' climactic scenes of Colin's death, when he's cared for by his friends and family, have been described as some of the most moving moments in the show.

Season 4

In its fourth season, it's a sin focuses on the lives of three gay men as they move to London and get involved in the world of nightclubs and music. Starring Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Nathaniel Curtis, and Callum Scott Howells, the drama is a hit with viewers and critics alike.

Despite its frank depictions of AIDS, It's a sin is a warm and joyful show that explores friendship and family during the height of the epidemic. It's a great choice for LGBTQ+ families and will appeal to anyone who wants to see an important story brought to life.

It's a Sin also has a lot to offer for those who enjoy watching period dramas. This is especially true for the '80s nostalgia that combines with a real-life story about the AIDS crisis in Britain.

When the boys learn that Ritchie has AIDs, he's determined not to let it take away from his dreams of success and happiness. He's adamant that he'll fight and live to the end, which is hard to watch.

It's a Sin is written and produced by Russell T Davies, who has produced many thoughtful, realistic portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters on TV in the past. This one will be no exception.

Season 5

A snapshot of the 1980s AIDS epidemic hitting London's gay scene, It's a Sin delicately tackles misinformation and bigotry surrounding HIV/AIDS. It's a powerful, heady, and ultimately heart-wrenching show that's sure to stay with you long after you've finished watching it.

It follows the lives of three friends in queer London who are growing up during the era of HIV/AIDS. Created by Russell T Davies, who previously chronicled the lives of British gay men in Cucumber and Queer as Folk, It's a Sin is a beautifully observed drama that delicately skews reality.

The series centres on Ritchie (Olly Alexander), Roscoe (Omari Douglas) and Colin (Callum Scott Howells), young men from different parts of the country who move to London for university and find themselves thrown into the city's gay scene. The trio, who grow into - in Armistead Maupin's lovely phrase - each other's "logical families," commit to living as free and authentically as possible.

The show also stars Lydia West as Jill Baxter, Ritchie's best friend and the woman he loves. But when Ritchie's mother, Valerie (Keeley Hawes), discovers that she has a terminal disease, it is Jill's life - and her family's - that's at risk.