Watch Man in an Orange Shirt

Man in an Orange Shirt is a British two-part drama miniseries which premiered on PBS in 2017. It is a poignant story that revolves around the lives of two gay couples, two generations apart, who are struggling to find acceptance and love in society. The story begins in the 1940s in England, where Captain Michael Berryman (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and artist Thomas March (James McArdle) fall in love during their service in World War II. Their relationship is portrayed as a conflicted one, as Michael finds it difficult to accept his homosexuality and Thomas is forced to mask his sexuality due to societal pressure.

Following the war, both men return to England and resume their respective lives. Michael marries Flora (Joanna Vanderham) and starts a family, while Thomas becomes a successful artist, and eventually meets a young and struggling poet, Patrick (David Gyasi).

The story then jumps to the present day where Michael and Flora's grandson, Adam (Julian Morris), is a successful architect who's also struggling with his homosexuality. Adam is in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend, Steve (David Paisley), and they're planning to get married. However, Adam is still haunted by his grandmother's growing senility and her memories of Michael's secretive and ultimately painful lifestyle.

The series is a thoughtful and sensitive exploration of sexual love, betrayal, duty, and societal expectations. It is a heartfelt reminder that the fight for acceptance and equal rights for the LGBTQI community has been a long, difficult, and often painful one. The show powerfully portrays the struggle for LGBTQI people to find their own identity, and the fear of a life without acceptance, understanding, and community.

The standout performance in the miniseries is Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the older Flora. Her performance is the highlight of the entire show, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a woman who's grown old and senile, and is struggling to make sense of her past. The way she portrays Flora's confusion and growing sadness, as she begins to remember the love of her life, is both heart-wrenching and moving.

The show also addresses the issue of homophobia in the past and present, and also highlights the differences between the generations. In the 1940s, it was illegal to be gay and there was heavy societal and legal persecution for homosexuals. But even in the present day, the younger generation still faces discrimination, hatred, and marginalization. Michael's internalized homophobia is an indication of societal attitudes at the time of his youth, and Adam's fear of coming out to his grandmother is a reminder that the fear of non-acceptance still exists today.

Overall, Man in an Orange Shirt is a gripping and emotional drama that deals with the complexities of love, sexuality and identity. Apart from the excellent performances from all the actors involved, the setting, the costumes, the cinematography and the music all contribute to a rich and immersive period drama. The series also conveys a universal message that regardless of sexuality, race or gender, everyone deserves love, acceptance and the freedom to be themselves.

Man in an Orange Shirt is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between June 15, 2018 and on PBS