Friendship is at the heart of student life
Quick watch has hard-hitting issues
Big Boys Seasons 1&2 Channel 4 ●●●●● Big Boys creator Jack Rooke based the programme on his comedy stage shows Good Grief, Happy Hour and Love Letters.
Rooke says the series is semiautobiographical and its two-season run has captured the imagination of viewers.
Derry Girls’ Dylan Llewellyn plays Jack, who comes out of his shell after meeting new friends at university.
It’s good to see Llewellyn take the lead after being the butt of many of the Derry Girls’ jokes, but his character here isn’t a million miles away from James in the Irish sitcom.
This time, though, his character’s new best friend is jack-the-lad Danny who hides a multitude of layers behind his cocky facade.
The series has a lot of humour and heartfelt moments but it covers various difficult topics that can effect anyone; depression, dementia, death of a parent, absent parents and anti-depressant use, among other things.
A major plot line of the show is Jack cautiously exploring the gay scene at his university and being afraid to tell his mum about his sexuality.
Unlikely friends Jack, Danny, Corrine (Izuka Hoyle) and Yemi (Olisa Odele) form a tight bond over the seasons, and Jules (Katy Wix) is a big fixture in their lives as a boisterous yet sweet student union officer.
However, Jack’s family are at the heart of the show too.
Camille Coduri, of Dr Who fame, plays mum Peggy and she is a mother anyone would wish for.
Rounding out the clan are Nanny Bingo (Annette Badland, who you may know from her role as pathologist Fleur in Midsomer Murders) and exuberant cousin Shannon (Harriet Webb).
They are all mourning the loss of Jack’s dad Laurie when the series begins and he remains a big part of the show.
At only six episodes per series, it’s a quick watch and with the second run currently showing on Channel 4, there’s no better time than now to watch a quality programme that mixes student hijinks and LGBTQIA+ exploration with hard-hitting issues.
● What are your thoughts on Big Boys? What television programmes are catching your eyes these days?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.