If you've been itching for the next best drama to sink into as you try to stay in and save up the pennies for summer, look no further than BBC's TV latest series starring none other than musician Loyle Carner in his breakout acting role.
Mint was written by Charlotte Regan, who also directs. A modern-day Romeo and Juliet, the drama series centres around the daughter of a crime family who falls in love with a member of the rival family. Weaving in two other women's love stories too, the series is "about soaring romance, crushing heartbreak and what love might feel like when everyone outside of your family is terrified of you," Regan reveals via the BBC's Writer's Blog.
The first episode of the eight-part series airs on BBC One tonight (Monday, 20th April), following the series' arrival on BBC iPlayer earlier this morning.
But which familiar faces can you expect to see on your screen? Including one which you may more readily recognise from another creative sector? It's fair to say Lauren Evans absolutely nailed the casting.
The full cast of Mint:
- Emma Laird as Shannon Evans
- Benjamin Coyle-Larner as Arran
- Sam Riley as Dylan
- Laura Fraser as Cat
- Lewis Gribben as Luke
- Neil Leiper as Sam
- Lindsay Duncan as Ollie
- Lucy Howard as Young Shannon
- Thierry Mabonga as Spencer
- Gordon Brown as Eddie
- Russ Bain as Ben
- Murray Fraser as Jasper
- Tav MacDougall as Colin
- Connor Newall as Liangelo
Meet the cast of Mint
Emma Laird as Shannon Evans
Who is Shannon Evans? Shannon Evans is a 22-year-old whose dad runs the big crime organisation of the area.
What else has Emma Laird been in? You'll most likely recognise Emma Laird from 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in which she played Jimmima. She also starred in American crime thriller Mayor of Kingstown as Iris.
Benjamin Coyle-Larner as Arran
Who is Arran? A member of a rival crime family which has recently arrived in town.
What else has Ben Coyle-Larner been in? Known to most as Loyle Carner, Ben Coyle-Larner is best known for his music - from hit albums including Yesterday's Gone to Not Waving, but Drowning. He's a regular headliner at some of the most iconic festivals across the globe, from Outlook to Glastonbury. Arran marks his major acting debut.
Lewis Gribben as Luke
Who is Luke? Shannon's brother - who doesn't want to participate in the family business.
What else has Lewis Gribben been in? Lewis Gribben led Channel 4 drama Somewhere Boy in the role of Danny. You may've also spotted him in Masters of the Air, Generation Z or Black Mirror episode "Plaything".
Laura Fraser as Cat
Who is Cat? The middle matriarch, Cat is Shannon's mum and the wife of crime boss Dylan.
What else has Laura Fraser been in? You probably saw Laura Fraser in Breaking Bad as Lydia Rodarte-Quayle alongside it's spin-off Better Call Saul. She's also been in Black Box, The Missing, The Pact and Traces.
Sam Riley as Dylan
Who is Dylan? A crime boss and Shannon's father.
What else has Sam Riley been in? Sam Riley is best known for his performance in Control - a biographical film about Ian Curtis. You may also recognise him from Maleficent or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Lindsay Duncan as Ollie
Who is Ollie? Described as a "sassy grandma," by Laird, Ollie is Shannon's gangster grandma, Dylan's mum and Cat's mother-in-law.
What else has Lindsay Duncan been in? You can't not have seen Lindsay Duncan in heart-shredding rom-com About Time. She's received a plethora of nominations for her work on stage, but on-screen has also appeared in AfterLife, Alice in Wonderland and Birdman.
Connor Newall as Liangelo
Who is Liangelo? Arran's brother.
What else has Connor Newall been in? Connor Newall is best known for his roles in 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple as Jimmy Shite.
Clive Russell as Andy
Who is Andy? Ollie's husband.
What else has Clive Russell been in? You'll best recognise Clive Russell from hit HBO series Game of Thrones or BBC'S Ripper Street.
You can watch Mint on BBC iPlayer or catch it on air on BBC One from tonight.
