Changing tunes

The Lyons family struggle to cope with constant changes when England enters a financial crisis and a new politician threatens to destroy the country.

- IPELENG RAKGANTSHO

Years And Years

Season 1 Mondays (from 22 June) M-Net (*101) 22:00

The UK has no clue that the world as they know it is changing and their lives are going to be forever altered in six-part dystopian miniseries Years And Years (2019-now). The show centres on the Lyons, who’s night in front of the telly takes a turn while they’re watching a political debate and alt-right entrepreneur Vivienne Rook (Emma Thompson, Petra on rom-com movie Last Christmas, 2019) passes an insensitive remark about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She looks straight into the camera and says, “I don’t give a monkey’s…” before she’s interjected. After all, she couldn’t be bothered by a war that doesn’t affect her. Vivienne is more concerned with her refuse bin being collected on time. “Vivienne becomes an overnight sensation [after her comments go viral] because she’s very forthright,” says Emma.

Despite Vivienne’s problematic outbursts, she gains an impressive fanbase, including the Lyons family. She even runs for the 2022 UK elections as an independent candidate. “She presents herself as an ordinary working woman who just wants the best for everybody. Of course, she’s not that. She just wants power,” adds Emma.