Watch This Is England '88

This Is England '88 is a British drama television series set in the year 1988, which follows the lives of a group of working-class teenagers living in the Midlands. The show is a continuation of the popular film This Is England, and continues the story of Shaun (played by Thomas Turgoose) and his friends who are growing up in Thatcher's Britain.

The show starts with Shaun dealing with the aftermath of the trauma that he experienced at the hands of a racist gang in the previous season. The murder of his father has left him with emotional scars that he struggles to deal with. The rest of the gang, including Woody (played by Joe Gilgun), Milky (Andrew Shim) and Lol (Vicky McClure), are also dealing with their own issues as they navigate their way through teenage life in England in the late 80s.

One of the central storylines of the show is the relationship between Lol and Woody. They are trying to navigate their way through a difficult period in their lives and make sense of their emotions. At the same time, the gang is dealing with the political turmoil of Thatcher's Britain as they navigate issues such as poverty, racism, and unemployment.

This Is England '88 successfully captures the mood and feeling of the time, with great attention to detail in recreating the fashion, music, and culture of the period. The show cleverly uses these elements to evoke a sense of nostalgia, but also to highlight the social issues that defined life in the era.

The performances of the cast are exceptional, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their characters. Andrew Ellis in particular gives a standout performance as Gadget, a young boy who is struggling to deal with the death of his mother. Chanel Cresswell is also fantastic as Kelly, a young girl who moves to the town and becomes romantically involved with one of the gang members.

One of the most impressive aspects of the show is its ability to balance the more serious themes with moments of levity and humor. The show is not afraid to tackle difficult and controversial issues head-on, but also manages to find moments of joy and humor in the lives of its characters.

This Is England '88 is a powerful and thought-provoking show that manages to capture the essence of a time and place in British history. It is a worthy continuation of the original film, and stands on its own as a gripping and emotional drama that is not to be missed.