The new BBC series Mint, directed by Charlotte Regan, brings back the classic story of impossible love between two young men from rival crime families.
It's a simple version in concept, but visually extraordinary and emotionally intense, combining influences from Romeo & Juliet with the reality of modern crime.
Emma Laird, who plays Shannon, the daughter of a Scottish crime family, says her role reminds her of Twilight, the first romantic series that hooked her when she was young. Shannon is beautiful, strong and independent, but carries a deep, ambiguous desire. Arran, played by rapper Loyle Carner in his acting debut, is the son of another crime family, back from London. A chance meeting at the train station ignites an irresistible attraction between them, more curiosity than love at first sight.
Regan, also known as Charlie, won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for her debut film Scrapper, and she has always had an eye for working-class characters set in new worlds. With her experience in music videos, she has cultivated the ability to convey emotion through visuals, and in Mint, that becomes key: the viewer feels every emotion without the need for excessive dialogue.
The series uses visual effects, Super 8-style flashbacks, and small details, like the explosion of sparks around Arran when Shannon sees him, that are simple but emotionally moving. Laird expresses joy that even her acne and facial imperfections are on display, giving an authentic sensibility to the role. Coyle-Larner adds that much of the dialogue was chosen to be delivered through gaze and gesture, placing a particular emphasis on their faces and eyes to communicate emotion.
Another strong element is the casting of Laura Fraser as Shannon's mother and Lindsay Duncan as Ollie's grandmother, who through physical fragility and inner strength tell a story connected between generations.
Charlotte Regan says Mint is the product of an incredible team, and the entire project was set up in Scotland to work with the team she knew before. The conversations and personal experiences of all the team members about love influenced the way the series was shaped, making it deeper and more complex than a typical love story.
At its core, Mint is not just a love story; it is a visual and emotional exploration of impossible passion, youth, and the tensions of rival families, where love is powerful, painful, and deeply touching. /GazetaExpress/
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