Man in an Orange Shirt

A gay love story spanning 60 years is at the heart of this two-part drama

drama / 9.00pm / BBC2 A portrait of a handsome young man painted by his male lover is at the heart of this cracking and thoughtprovoking two-part drama that examines the challenges faced by a pair of gay men in the 1940s and another couple in 2017.

The opener follows old school friends, soldier Michael (Oliver Jackson-cohen) and artist Thomas (James Mcardle), who meet again during

World War Two and begin a passionate liaison. But the opression of 1940s society and Michael’s marriage to naïve Flora (Joanna Vanderham) look set to keep them apart.

The ramifications when their secret is uncovered result in heartache for them all.