Watch Small Island

Small Island is a period drama series based on Andrea Levy's bestselling novel of the same name. This BBC One production boasts a star-studded cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomie Harris, Ruth Wilson, David Oyelowo, Shaun Parkes, Hugh Quarshie, Ashley Walters, Karl Johnson, and Eoin Macken.

The story is set in post-World War II London and Jamaica, where it follows the lives of two couples as they navigate their way through a complex web of love, faith, and racial prejudice. Queenie Bligh (Ruth Wilson) is a young Englishwoman who falls in love with Bernard (Benedict Cumberbatch), a former RAF pilot, but the two are separated due to the war. Meanwhile, Hortense (Naomie Harris), a Jamaican schoolteacher, dreams of moving to England to start a new life.

Queenie, now living alone in London, takes in Gilbert (David Oyelowo), a Jamaican man who fought for the British during the war, as a lodger. Soon after, Bernard returns, but he's not the same man he once was. Gilbert and Queenie's relationship deepens, but it's not without its challenges. Hortense finally gets her wish of moving to England, but she soon realizes that it's not the utopia she had imagined. She struggles to find work and faces discrimination, but she refuses to give up on her dream of a better life.

All the while, the series explores the legacy of slavery and colonialism, and how it has contributed to the prejudices and inequalities faced by people of color in both Jamaica and Britain. The characters navigate their way through a landscape of limited opportunities, where their color determines their station in life.

The acting in Small Island is superb, with each member of the cast giving a nuanced and powerful performance. Ruth Wilson, in particular, shines as Queenie, capturing the character's vulnerability, resilience, and conflicted loyalties. Naomie Harris is equally impressive as Hortense, conveying a depth of emotion with subtle gestures and expressions.

The production design is also noteworthy, with the series capturing the look and feel of post-war London and Jamaica in vivid detail. From the drab council estates to the colorful marketplaces, the settings feel authentic and immersive.

Overall, Small Island is a poignant and moving drama that explores themes of race, identity, and belonging. It's a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by those who came before us, and the sacrifices they made to pave the way for a more just and equitable society.