Mint review: A charming romantic drama for these permissive times

by

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Not long ago, a character like Shannon, the bright star of BBC One’s Mint, would likely have been written as a vampire.

Imagine this romantic crime story released in the early 2000s, right after the popularity of shows like Twilight, Supernatural, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries – when vampires and werewolves were everywhere. In that context, the main character, Shannon, would likely have been a vampire, and her love interest, Arran (musician Loyle Carner), maybe even a zombie.

Instead of a fate determined by the stars, this couple’s love story would be hindered by a witch’s curse. Plus, a long-standing feud between zombies and vampires would create the biggest challenges for their relationship.

Adding a touch of the mystical became a common way to instantly increase tension in many popular shows from the early 2000s – no pun intended! After all, all good dramas succeed or fail based on how they address two key questions for their main characters:

  1. Is there enough at risk?
  2. Do I want to belong to this gang?

Vampires and other nocturnal beings have recently enjoyed a surge in popularity, but Charlotte Regan’s new series, Mint – which she created, wrote, directed, and executive produced – focuses on the gritty reality of the criminal world instead of mythical legends.

The show strives to convincingly portray the challenges facing a young couple trying to fall in love today. It’s charming that Regan manages to do this, and surprisingly, the show’s use of magical realism actually helps make that struggle feel more real.

Regan truly shines with Mint, especially in crafting a fascinating and enjoyable relationship between Shannon (Emma Laird), her loving mother Cat (Laura Fraser), and her sharp-witted, sensual grandmother Ollie (Lindsay Duncan).

While Coyle-Larner, Sam Riley, and particularly Lewis Gribben are all talented performers – and Riley’s accent sometimes drifts into a Scottish lilt – the true stars of Mint are Laird, Fraser, and Duncan.

By setting her play in the world of gangsters, Regan connects it to a popular and growing trend in crime stories.

Gangster movies tend to become popular when the economy is struggling, which is interesting given their current appeal. They first gained widespread attention in the 1930s, and then experienced a major comeback in the 1970s with films like The Godfather, a time that also saw economic difficulties due to the oil crisis.

With the cost of living continuing to rise worldwide, shows like MobLand (Paramount+), This City Is Ours (BBC iPlayer), and the hugely popular Peaky Blinders (BBC iPlayer / Netflix) are gaining critical acclaim and building dedicated fan bases.

For viewers struggling financially, criminals often hold a strange appeal, and the show ‘Mint’ captures this current mood just as powerfully as ‘This City Is Ours,’ though in a more subtle way.

While “Mint” shares some similarities with other crime family stories – Ollie’s family history has echoes of Livia from “The Sopranos” – it’s ultimately a fresh and original take on the genre, both in what it’s about and how it’s presented. The BBC calls it unusual, and you could definitely describe it as unexpected. It’s quite charmingly different, though the word ‘quirky’ feels a little overused.

Add TopMob as a Preferred Source on Google
Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from TopMob – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google.

Mint is the realization of Regan’s creative vision. She’s a talented filmmaker – her recent film, Scrapper, is available on iPlayer and has been praised for its energy – and she’s also directed music videos for popular artists like Stereophonics and Mumford & Sons. This combination of skills is clear in Mint’s beautiful, cinematic look.

These elements help balance out moments where the show feels a little superficial, or doesn’t fully explore the troubling ethics of the family—who, it’s important to remember, are cruel, greedy people who benefit from the suffering of others.

What Regan and her actors do best isn’t just creating a group we want to be a part of, but also making us genuinely care about these characters—even though they’re far from perfect.

I’m so excited to share that the entire series of Mint – all eight episodes! – is already available on BBC iPlayer. If you prefer to watch it live with everyone else, the first episode will be on BBC One on Monday, April 20th, at 9pm. I can’t wait!

Keep up with the latest TV shows by adding Mint to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app! Download it today for daily recommendations and exclusive features.

Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer and critic. He’s reviewed countless shows and interviewed a wide range of personalities, including stars like Liza Minnelli and, formerly, Jimmy Savile. He’s also worked as a writer creating content for television itself.

Read More

2026-04-20 09:11