If you haven’t watched It’s a Sin yet, make time for it.

It’s not an easy series to watch, nor should it be. There are moments of real joy, humour and friendship, but they’re set against the heartbreaking backdrop of the AIDS epidemic as it swept through London during the 1980s.

The soundtrack is superb, packed with iconic songs that perfectly capture the spirit of the decade, while the writing never loses sight of the people at the heart of the story. You become completely invested in this group of young friends as their lives unfold in ways they could never have imagined.

Olly Alexander is outstanding as the charismatic and ambitious Ritchie Tozer, delivering a performance that’s both exuberant and deeply moving. In truth, though, every member of the cast is exceptional, making the story feel all the more real.

Created by Russell T Davies, It’s a Sin is one of those rare dramas that entertains, educates and stays with you long after the final episode.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough.