It's A Sin

6 Reasons Why You Should Watch ‘It’s A Sin’ ASAP

Tell us you love Punkee without telling us you love Punkee. Sign up to our newsletter, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. It'll mean the world.

If you, like me, have just finished streaming It’s A Sin, then please for the love of God find someone to hug. If you haven’t seen It’s A Sin, let me tell you, you’re missing out. 

Created by Russell T. Davies (the brilliant mind behind Years & Years and Queer As Folk), this five-episode series is short, but impactful. The show follows a group of queer people and allies as they navigate the horrors of the 1980s AIDS epidemic. If you were even considering giving this show a go, here are six reasons why you absolutely should. 

Here Are 6 Reasons Why You Should Watch It’s A Sin:

#1. It’s A Sin Is Educational

In an interview with The Telegraph, Colin Scott (who plays Colin in It’s A Sin) spoke about the lack of an education he got in school with regards to the AIDS epidemic. 

He said, “There was nothing… Absolutely nothing. Why? How? How can this thing happen, literally kill millions of people, and yet they can’t even implement it in education. They can’t even mention it. That stuff – Section 28, the inalienable rights speech from Margaret Thatcher, the John Hurt advert – we are still suffering the consequences to this day.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I can absolutely relate to a lack of an education on the matter. So, if you feel like you would like to become a little bit more educated about the AIDS epidemic and the queer struggle that came with it, then this is 100% worth the watch. 

#2. Some Of The Characters Are Based On Real-Life People

While this is a fictional show, there are plenty of aspects of it that are derived from real life, and based on real people.  

Let’s start off with Jill. Now, spoiler alert, after five episodes, Jill becomes the most incredible on-screen character you’ve ever seen. She does a lot of heart-warming stuff in the series — which we won’t get into right now — but it’s important that you know, she’s a real person. Additionally, the real-life Jill has a cameo in the series’ as her own mother! How cool is that?

Now, let’s move onto another real-life icon, Lizbeth Farooqi (Seyan Saravan). History will remember her as one of the many iconic lawyers who worked on the frontline to protect the rights of people with HIV/AIDS. Similarly to Jill, you will stan this character like you’ve never stanned before. 

Finally, while the character of Ritchie Tozer isn’t based on anyone in particular, the show does nod to the life of Dr. Who actor Dursley McLinden, who was an actor that passed away due to AIDS in 1995. 

#3. The Acting Is Incredible

Before watching It’s A Sin, I hadn’t really heard of any of the cast. In fact, the only person who I’d heard of was Olly Alexander (who plays Ritchie Tozer), and I only know of him because of his music career. So, I was pleasantly surprised when the acting in this series was beyond incredible.

If Netflix has helped normalise ambient viewing, get ready for all of that to end. Their performances are so captivating, you’ll struggle to look away to even check the time. 

#4. It’s A Rollercoaster Of Emotions

In terms of the storyline, boy is it a wild ride. In a matter of five 45-minute episodes, you’ll swing between laughing out loud, feeling horny, bawling your eyes out, and wanting to dance. It’s truly remarkable.

#5. It’s Relevant To The 2021 Climate

Remember at the start of this COVID-19 pandemic when misinformation was spreading like wildfire and everyone was panicking like crazy? Yeah, this isn’t earth’s first rodeo. Obviously, the AIDS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic are very different things, but something about watching this hit too close to home.

Not to mention that the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights — particularly when it comes to trans folks — is far from over.

#6. It’s A Beautiful Nod To Those Who Will Never Be Forgotten

Perhaps most importantly, one of the biggest reasons to watch this mini-series is to remember all the lives that have been lost. To remember, not only the heroes that came out of the epidemic, but also all those that perhaps didn’t have anyone with them as they passed. 

I promise you, it’s 100% worth a watch.