--- title: "It's a Sin: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/its-a-sin/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/its-a-sin" critics_score: 88 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # It's a Sin (2021): what the critics said Critics' score 88 from 16 reviews: 16 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Every one of the sixteen reviews is positive, and several call this Russell T Davies’s strongest work. The praise gathers around his writing and the way the series holds warmth, humour and sex alongside the arrival of the AIDS crisis in 1980s London without either side cancelling the other. The cast is admired almost as often, with IndieWire singling out Olly Alexander and Lydia West, and NME praising the period soundtrack. The spread is narrow, from good to outright acclaim, and the reservations are few. Vulture is the most pointed dissenter, finding a blind spot in how the series handles its characters of colour, though it still recommends it. The Times admires it while noting the drama stays light and sentimental for a subject this heavy. Radio Times scores the opener alone, though the critic has seen the whole run. Nobody argues against watching it. ## The Telegraph — Anita Singh Rating 5/5. 17 February 2021. Russell T Davies’s best series so far, a drama that radiates joy and makes viewers care deeply about its characters even as it confronts the tragedy and prejudice of the AIDS crisis. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/its-a-sin-review-russell-t-davies-aids-crisis-drama/) ## Empire — Sarah Hughes Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 January 2021. The review calls it arguably Russell T Davies’ masterpiece, an involving, devastating and often very funny piece of TV that mixes humour and sorrow while remembering the human stories at the heart of the AIDS crisis. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/it-a-sin/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2021. The series is gorgeous, bright, colourful and full of warmth, joy, celebration and humour even as it depicts the poignant and shocking impact of the AIDS crisis on a group of young friends. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/its-a-sin-channel-4-review-russell-t-davies-b900169.html) ## IndieWire — Ryan Lattanzio Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2021. The critic calls it a remarkable and essential AIDS drama, placing it alongside Angels in America as a vital queer opus. Strong performances, especially from Olly Alexander and Lydia West, are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/its-a-sin-review-russell-t-davies-aids-drama-hbo-max-1234617803/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2021. The series is a sublime companion piece and potential masterpiece to Queer as Folk, full of humour and humanity as it follows young gay men navigating freedom and the emerging AIDS crisis in 1980s London. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jan/22/its-a-sin-review-russell-t-davies-queer-as-folk-aids-channel-4) ## The i Paper — Kasia Delgado Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2021. The critic praises the series as deeply affecting, highlighting its blend of warmth, joy, humour and the creeping darkness of the AIDS crisis in 1980s London. The emotional impact and strong performances are singled out. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/its-a-sin-review-russell-t-davies-aids-drama-has-lodged-itself-in-my-heart-and-wont-budge-841594) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Inkoo Kang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 2021. The review commends the series for keeping its fizzy and effervescent tone without diminishing the devastation of the AIDS crisis. The cast’s performances, especially those embodying youthful radiance, are singled out as terrific. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/its-a-sin-tv-review-4128542/) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2021. The series is praised for its masterful control of tone, shifting from joy to tragedy while depicting the AIDS epidemic with care and deep thought. Davies’ ability to make great and painful art about time’s passage is highlighted. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2021/tv/reviews/it-s-a-sin-russell-t-davies-1234897641/) ## Radio Times — Flora Carr Rating 4/5. 22 January 2021. The first episode is described as a joyful, sexy opener full of life and energy, with sombre foreshadowing of the AIDS crisis ahead. The critic notes having watched the full series and finds it worth the emotional weight. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/its-a-sin-review-episode-one/) ## Vulture — Kathryn VanArendonk Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2021. The series offers a clear-eyed, moving look at the AIDS crisis in London with strong performances and joyful early episodes, but it has a notable blind spot in how it handles characters of color. The critic finds it very much worth watching despite this flaw. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/its-a-sin-review-hbo-max.html) ## The Times — Hugo Rifkind Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2021. A funny, touching and sentimental drama that manages to be dramatically light despite its heavy subject, celebrating gay lives and love in the 1980s while acknowledging the shadow of AIDS. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/its-a-sin-review-living-young-free-and-under-the-shadow-of-aids-in-the-1980s-sl9r0z5tm) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Rating 5/5. 19 January 2021. Russell T Davies’ best work yet, a joyful tribute to lost lives that is full of vitality, laughter, color, and righteous anger against ignorance and cruelty. The impeccable cast and powerful set pieces are highlighted as standout elements. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/its-a-sin-review-russell-t-davies-aids-drama-is-a-soaring-tribute/) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 5/5. 22 January 2021. The critic calls it a landmark Aids drama that is deeply moving yet vibrant and daring. They single out the authentic '80s soundtrack and Russell T Davies' writing. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/its-a-sin-review-olly-alexander-2862969) ## Paste — Fletcher Peters Rating 9.6/10. 17 February 2021. It is hailed as a coming-of-age masterpiece and crucial retelling of the AIDS crisis. The critic praises the spirited cast and the balance between devastation and the joy of youth. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/its-a-sin/its-a-sin-review) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2021. The series is described as a near-flawless portrait of queer youth and the AIDS crisis, with masterful writing and perfect performances. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2021/02/tv-review-its-a-sin/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2021. The critic praises the series for offering a fresh British perspective on the AIDS crisis by centering ordinary young gay men in a London flat rather than prominent activists or victims. It highlights the show's joyful yet poignant tone, sexual frankness, and relevance to contemporary events. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2021/02/18/tv/its-a-sin-hbo-max-russell-t-davies-aids-drama) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/its-a-sin.md