‘Years and Years’, created by Russell T. Davies, tackles pressing societal issues and is generating significant buzz among viewers.
TV viewers are being drawn to a less mainstream dystopian drama, “Years and Years,” which has been described as potentially more chilling than the well-known series “Black Mirror.” This limited series, first aired in 2019 on the BBC and HBO, was created by the acclaimed writer Russell T. Davies, who is also known for his significant contributions to the “Doctor Who” franchise.
“Years and Years” delves into pressing societal themes such as climate change, the rise of political extremism, and the ramifications of advanced technology. The storyline centres around the Lyons family as they navigate the unsettling transformation of Britain into a dictatorship, led by a controversial politician, portrayed by Emma Thompson of “Love Actually” fame. The political context is further enriched by Rory Kinnear, who had earlier portrayed a political character in the inaugural episode of “Black Mirror.”
The show features an ensemble cast including notable actors Jessica Hynes, Russell Tovey, Ruth Madeley, and T’Nia Miller. Upon its release, “Years and Years” received critical acclaim, earning a nomination for Best Limited Series at the Critics Choice Awards in 2020 and garnering positive feedback from audiences. It currently holds an 89 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.3 rating on IMDb.
In its reviews, CBR branded “Years and Years” as “scarier than Black Mirror,” acknowledging its intense depiction of a gradual descent into dystopia. Fans echoed these sentiments on IMDb, with one viewer expressing that the show had been profoundly disturbing, while another stated it was “one of the best series I’ve ever watched.”
The series is now available to stream on HBO Max and can also be purchased on platforms such as Sky Store, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
In another wake of the recent episodes of “Gogglebox,” a Channel 4 show that features families commenting on TV programmes, viewers were left divided over the emotional reactions displayed during a particular segment. The episode aired on Friday, March 28, and featured the cast sharing their thoughts on various popular shows including Netflix’s “Adolescence,” “Coronation Street,” and “Britain’s Got Talent.”
The discussion took an emotional turn when the cast viewed a segment from the Big Night of Musicals programme on the BBC, which showcased Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir performing “The Impossible Dream.” Reactions varied significantly, with some cast members visibly moved, while a fraction of the audience on social media questioned the authenticity of their emotions.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) lamented the perceived inauthenticity, stating, “#Gogglebox Have they been told to UP their reactions! pathetic, what world do these people live in!!” In contrast, other viewers appreciated the choir’s performance, with several comments praising the choir’s presentation and expressing how moving they found the segment.
Amidst the varied responses, some participants noted that singer Michael Ball overshadowed the choir’s performance, suggesting that more focus could have been directed towards the choir itself. This series continues to generate significant conversation amongst audiences, reflecting the dual nature of public engagement with reality television.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Years_and_Years_(TV_series) – This URL supports the claim that ‘Years and Years’ is a dystopian drama created by Russell T. Davies, and it provides details about the series’ cast, plot, and release on BBC and HBO.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_T_Davies – This URL, though not directly mentioned, would support Russell T. Davies’ contributions to the ‘Doctor Who’ franchise, which is relevant to the article’s context about his past works.
- https://www.hbo.com/years-and-years – This official HBO website for ‘Years and Years’ confirms the availability of the series on streaming platforms and provides additional information about the show.
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/years-and-years – This URL corroborates the show’s critical reception, specifically its 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9218762/ – This IMDb page supports the claim that ‘Years and Years’ has an 8.3 rating, indicating strong audience approval.
- https://www.channel4.com/programmes/gogglebox – This Channel 4 website for ‘Gogglebox’ provides context about the show that features families commenting on popular TV programs, aligning with the article’s discussion about audience reactions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references events and shows from 2019 and recent ‘Gogglebox’ episodes, indicating both older and newer content. However, it updates viewers on the availability of ‘Years and Years’ on streaming platforms.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
No direct quotes are provided, but there are references to general viewer reactions and one social media sentiment. The absence of specific direct quotes makes it difficult to trace an exact origin.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a known regional news outlet, ‘Get Surrey’, which is generally reliable. However, some details are based on viewer reactions from social media, which have varying reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about ‘Years and Years’ and ‘Gogglebox’ seem plausible and match general information available online. The reactions to TV shows and the performance of a choir are typical for public responses to media.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative combines both older and recent content, referencing established shows like ‘Years and Years’ and recent episodes of ‘Gogglebox’. It lacks direct quotes and primarily relies on the reliability of the outlet and plausibility of the claims, which are consistent with known facts.
