If a modern-day Romeo and Juliet with a gangster twist is an elevator pitch you like the sound of, then the BBC’s latest crime drama, Mint, could just be your next TV binge.
But instead of fair Verona, Charlotte Regan’s genre-bending eight-part series takes place in Glasgow, where star-crossed lovers Shannon (Emma Laird) and Arran (Benjamin Coyle-Larner, better known as rapper Loyle Carner) meet by chance at a train station.
Sparks fly, quite literally across the screen, while an enchanting, wind chime-like score plays as the pair meet each other’s gaze.
Leading star Emma is brilliant as the rebellious yet romantic Shannon, who has lived a somewhat sheltered life as the only daughter of the area’s dominant crime family.
That is, until she meets Arran, who, unbeknownst to her, belongs to the rival clan causing problems for Shannon’s crime boss father, Dylan (Sam Riley).
Their meeting couldn’t come at a worse time for Dylan, who’s about to step down from the family ‘business’. When his wife Cat (Laura Fraser) recognises her daughter’s crush as a member of the rival Denson family, she swiftly crushes Shannon’s hopes of romance – or so she thinks.
© House/Fearless Minds/BBCWhat follows is a compelling story of forbidden love, power and loyalty. And just like Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, expect plenty of brutal violence (including a sword fight at the horse races) and a darkly comic take on a tragedy.
Not only is the story genre-bending, but Regan’s bold directorial style is also intriguing. From nostalgic VHS-style footage to hallucinatory, dream-like sequences, this beautifully-filmed series is a visual delight.
© House/Fearless Minds/BBCIt’s also worth mentioning Patrick Jonsson’s enchanting score and the excellent soundtrack, which reflects the unconventional blend of genres. At one point, a haunting version of 10cc’s ‘I’m Not in Love’ plays as Shannon imagines seeing Arran at a family gathering. The pair lock eyes as a fist fight between a father and son – or a “party game,” as Dylan describes it – breaks out in the middle of the room.
© House/Fearless Minds/BBCWhile all of the cast deliver impressive performances, Lindsay Duncan is particularly entertaining as Shannon’s formidable, worldly grandmother Ollie. Coyle-Larner also makes a noteworthy acting debut as the understated and quietly intriguing Arran.
Mint is a fresh take on a well-trodden genre often weighed down by overused tropes. While some viewers might struggle to get past the magical realism of characters floating in mid-air, it’s worth sticking with. Lean into it and you’ll find yourself getting swept up in this gritty, visually stimulating gangster romance.
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