''Metrosexuality'' is a British television

comedy drama Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. The modern, scripted-television examples tend to have more humorous bits than simple co ...

, which aired on

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned enterprise, state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a four ...

in 2001 as a short-run series of six episodes. It was later re-edited into a single feature for DVD release by

TLA Releasing TLA Releasing is a US film distribution and production company owned by TLA Entertainment Group. In March 2011, a new LLC was formed for the operation. Its primary output is LGBT-related films from all over the world under the "TLA Releasing" lab ...

. It depicts the interactions of a

racially A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...

and sexually diverse group of friends and family living in

Notting Hill Notting Hill is a district of West London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Notting Hill is known for being a cosmopolitan and multicultural neighbourhood, hosting the annual Notting Hill Carnival and Portobello Road M ...

. The series was written and created by Rikki Beadle-Blair, who also stars as one of the show's central characters.Indiewire
/ref> The cast also includes

Noel Clarke Noel Anthony Clarke (born 6 December 1975) is a British actor, screenwriter, director, and comic book writer. Rising to prominence for playing Mickey Smith in ''Doctor Who'' (2005–2010), he played Sam in the films ''Kidulthood'' (2006), ''Adu ...

Paul Keating Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944) is an Australian former politician and unionist who served as the 24th prime minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He previously serv ...

, Mat Fraser,

Karl Collins Karl Collins is an English actor. He is known for his television roles as Danny Glaze in ''The Bill'', Louis Loveday in ''Hollyoaks'', and Shaun Temple in '' Doctor Who''. Early life and career Collins was born in Nottingham, and grew up on the ...

Pui Fan Lee Pui Fan Lee (born ) is a British-born Chinese actress and presenter. Along with Sue Monroe, Chris Jarvis, and Sidney Sloane she was one of the first presenters on CBeebies, the BBC television channel for younger children. She is known for portra ...

and

Preeya Kalidas Preeya Kalidas (born 21 June 1980) is a British singer and actress. She played Amira Masood in the soap opera ''EastEnders'', from 2009 to 2012. She released the single "Shimmy" in July 2010, taken from her proposed debut album ''(I'm Over It) ...

. The show features extravagant and colourful costumes and scenery, varied shooting styles and quick pacing. Much of the music was written and performed by Beadle Blair, who intended the series to feel like a musical. The show was hailed by critics for its

diversity Diversity, diversify, or diverse may refer to: Business *Diversity (business), the inclusion of people of different identities (ethnicity, gender, age) in the workforce *Diversity marketing, marketing communication targeting diverse customers * ...

; it depicted a social setting relatively free of

racism Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism ...

homophobia Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitude (psychology), attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, h ...

. It was also noted for its inclusion of Fraser, a

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survivor with phocomelic arms, in a role where his disability was simply part of the show's fabric rather than an inherent focus of his character's role.

Plot outline

The story is set over the course of two consecutive weekends in spring, and follows Kwame (Clarke), seventeen and straight, who is trying to reconcile his estranged fathers, Max (Beadle Blair) and Jordan (Collins). He must contend with Max's insistence that he is over Jordan, and Jordan's new relationship with former military man Jonno. Kwame is also trying to attract his love interest, Asha, and provide support to his two best friends: Dean (Keating), a talented footballer struggling with an abusive father and a crush on Max, and skater boy Bambi, trying unsuccessfully to secure a commitment from his older, on-off boyfriend, Robin. Max's married friends Geri and Daniel descend into a bitter separation after Geri feels Daniel takes her for granted; she is later romanced by Asha's father, Tel. Asha's best friend Jay (Lee) embarks on a new relationship with the enigmatic Flora, despite her own commitment issues. Former drug addicts Peggy and Pablo struggle to adapt to a life of sobriety together - especially when Peggy gets back in touch with their dealer, Dean's brother Marlon (Fraser). Max's sister Cindy finds her relationship with her partner Doris threatened by the reappearance of her first boyfriend, Gabriel. Kwame's unstable birth mother, Hilly, deals with the death of her cat and reconnects with her estranged parents.

Cast

Kwame O'Reilly - Noel Clarke Asha - Rebecca Varney Max - Rikki Beadle Blair Dean - Paul Keating Bambi - Davie Fairbanks Jordan - Karl Collins Jonno - Silas Carlson Hilly - Helen Sheals Cindy - Carleen Beadle Doris - Dee Dee Samuels Robin - Michael Dotchin Jay - Pui Fan Lee Flora - Preya Kaleedas Gerri - Frances Lima Daniel - Matt Harris Tel - David Squire Gabriel - Joni Levinson Pablo - Gavin Delaney Peggy - Lisa Harmer Bambi's Mum - Marianne Sheehan Bambi's Dad - Jonathan Pembroke Marlon Gittar - Mat Fraser Alda Gittar - Paddy Glynn Colin Gittar - Josh Moran Lola - Danielle Murphy Cafe Patron - Simon C Gray

Music

The track listing on the soundtrack, officially titled Metrosexuality Songs, is as follows: 1. It's All About Love (The Theme) 2. First To Say 3. You So Lovely 4. I'm Your Guy 5. Cowboy Love 6. House Boy 7. Free To Be Lonely 8. Saturday Thru Sunday 9. Hip-Hop Love 10. Let The One Who Loves You Love You 11. In Your Eyes There Is God 12. Lay Me Down 13. Don't Cry My Baby Love 14. Gangsta Bwoy 15. Gangsta Man 16. All About Punk Love 17. Fly With Me 18. Love Is Power *All songs are composed and produced by Rikki Beadle Blair and Mark Hawkes. *Rikki performs all the music, except "Gangsta Man" (performed by Mat Fraser). *Music runs through most of the movie, and many songs are reprised several times in alternate forms (notably a dance version of the mid-tempo "Free To Be Lonely"). *The back cover of the CD has a copyright date of 2000, but the disc itself has a copyright date of 2001. *Tracks 5, 9, 13, and 16 are not full songs; they are short versions of track 1 in various styles of music (downtempo, hip hop, ballad, and rock, respectively). A jazz version and a reggae version, featured in the movie, are not included on the soundtrack.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Metrosexuality (Tv Series) Channel 4 original programming Television shows set in London 2000s British LGBT-related drama television series 2001 British television series debuts 2001 British television series endings 2000s British comedy-drama television series British comedy-drama television shows English-language television shows 2000s British LGBT-related comedy television series