Mr Loverman is a new drama series on the BBC that will begin airing soon, which stars Lennie James and Sharon D. Clarke.

The series is an adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s best-selling 2013 novel of the same name.

James will feature as Barrington 'Barry' Jedidiah Walker who is described as a "seventy-four year old, Antiguan born, exuberant Hackney personality, renowned for his dapper taste and fondness for retro suits".

The synopsis of the show adds: "Carmel (Sharon D Clarke), his wife of 50 years, suspects that Barry has been cheating on her with other women but little does she know that for decades he’s been having a passionate love affair with his best friend and soulmate Morris (Ariyon Bakare).

"And now he’s hit 70, Barry has some big choices to make that will rock his family to its foundations."

Speaking with BBC News about her work being adapted for TV, Evaristo shared: "I believed that the work would transfer to the screen - that wasn't an issue for me. It was maybe an issue for other people who didn't think, perhaps, that there'd be a market for it.

"Somebody said to me it was 'triple niche', because he was black, old and gay.

"They wouldn't say that now... but times have changed. We are so much more inclusive, so much more progressive, and long may it last."

BBC Mr Loverman full cast list

  • Lennie James as Barrington 'Barry' Jedidiah Walker 
  • Sharon D. Clarke as Carmel Walker
  • Ariyon Bakare as Morris De La Roux
  • Tamara Lawrance as Maxine Walker
  • Sharlene Whyte as Donna Walker
  • Tahj Miles as Daniel
  • Lauren Akosia as Carmelita (Young Carmel)
  • Juliet Garricks as Augusta
  • Llewella Gideon as Miss Drusilla

  • Hopi Grace as Miss Merty
  • Suzette Llewellyn as Odette De La Roux
  • Arthur Cull as Golden Curls
  • Lochlann O'Mearáin as Reuben Dempsey
  • Holly Cattle as Chris
  • Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Tony
  • Doreene Blackstock as Miss Candaisy
  • Clint Dyer as Hubert

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When will Mr Loverman be on TV?

The first episode of Mr Loverman will air at 9pm on BBC One on Monday, October 14 with the second episode following immediately afterwards at 9.30pm.

There will be eight episodes in total, with the remaining six airing in a similar format over the following weeks.

Alternatively, all episodes are available to watch on the BBC iPlayer right now.