“This Town” has been broadcasted on BBC One and is currently available for streaming on iPlayer.
Whenever I hear about a movie or TV show about a band coming together, I get worried it’ll be cheesy and predictable. It feels like the old “Let’s put on a show!” trope or lines like Billy Zane’s in Titanic. So, I’m not too excited about “This Town,” a new project by Steven Knight, known for Peaky Blinders. It’s about a band forming in the 80s, influenced by ska, reggae, two tone, and punk. The songs the characters write are made by Dan Carey and Kae Tempest. I’m already tired just thinking about it.
“This Town” is a really clever piece of work that’s full of intelligence, ambition, and heart. It’s got a rebellious vibe that makes it stand out. It might take a little while to get used to because it’s quite innovative. At the start, there’s a lot of poetic language, especially in the voiceovers, which can feel a bit heavy. But it’s gripping right from the beginning, and by the third episode, it starts to lighten up a bit with some funny moments. As the characters’ tensions rise and the stakes get higher, it gets even more engaging.
The main character is Dante, a college student from Birmingham who’s just starting to write poetry. When we first meet him, he’s feeling down because a girl he likes turned him down for a cup of tea. Dante is a bit of an outsider, but his friend Jeannie really cares about him. She writes music, while Dante is good with words but not so much with music. Instead of focusing solely on Dante’s romantic struggles, the story expands to explore a whole family’s ups and downs, including their connections with the IRA. The band they form is just one part of their story. Overall, the show looks at how art can be a way to escape tough times and how pain can sometimes lead to extraordinary talent.
Dante’s cousin Bardon lives in Coventry with his father Eamonn, who’s involved with the local IRA. Eamonn pressures Bardon to join the IRA, but Bardon wants nothing to do with it. We also see the impact of living under the control of a terrorist group through Bardon’s mother Estella and grandmother Marie. Fear dominates their lives, and they can’t live normally. The damage caused by the IRA affects them deeply. Bardon tries to escape to London, but finds he’s more stuck than he thought.
Dante has an older brother named Gregory, who is very different from him. Gregory is tough and serves in the British army in Belfast. He used to be involved in crime, but joined the army before it consumed him completely. When their family attends a funeral watched by special branch agents, Gregory is put in a tough spot. This event brings him back to the Midlands and drives much of the story in the later episodes.
There’s also Gregory’s former boss, gangster Robbie Carmen, who’s opening a new music venue mainly to sell drugs. He’s on the lookout for security staff and new musicians. David Dawson plays Carmen, and he’s really scary, especially in a scene involving fingers that made me feel sick just watching it.
All the actors are really good, but Levi Brown, playing Dante in his first big role, is amazing. It’s not easy to play a character who’s genuinely odd, but Brown does it perfectly, making Dante both weird and relatable. Everyone in the cast is giving it their all and bringing out the deep emotions and wise messages in Steven Knight’s powerful work.
FAQ
When will all episodes of This Town be available?
All episodes of This Town will be available on BBC iPlayer starting from 6 am on Sunday, March 31st.
When does This Town begin airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer?
This Town premieres at 9 pm on Sunday, March 31st, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
When will Episode two air?
Episode two will air at 9 pm on Monday, April 1st, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series will then continue to air weekly on Sunday nights.
Who stars in This Town?
This Town features an exciting cast including Michelle Dockery, Nicholas Pinnock, David Dawson, Levi Brown, Jordan Bolger, Ben Rose, Eve Austin, Freya Parks, Shyvonne Ahmmad, Geraldine James, Peter McDonald, John Heffernan, Stefan Asante-Boateng, Séainín Brennan, George Somner, and Brendan Gibson.
Who has contributed to the music in the series?
The series is co-produced with Mercury Studios, part of the Universal Music Group. Acclaimed producer Dan Carey, musician and poet Kae Tempest, and singer-songwriter ESKA have written the songs performed by the band in the series. Additionally, Celeste, Gregory Porter, Olivia Dean, Ray Laurél, Sekou, and Self Esteem have each recorded a cover version which will play over the end credits of an episode.