This Romeo-and-Juliet-style romance has taken everyone by storm. We knew it would be cinematic and aesthetic based on the trailer – but did we know it would be this good? Absolutely not.
Blending a Shakespearean love story with a gritty Glasgow crime thriller, Mint also weaves in moments of magical realism that feel almost dreamlike. The result? Something fresh, strange, and completely unforgettable – a BBC drama that lingers longggg after the credits roll.
If you’ve been seeing Mint trending everywhere and wondering what the hype is about, here are 10 reasons why Mint needs to be at the very top of your watchlist.
What is Mint about?
At its core, Mint is a story about love that isn’t supposed to exist.
Set against the stark, industrial backdrop of Glasgow and Grangemouth, the series follows two people from deeply divided worlds whose lives collide in a way that changes everything. Their connection is immediate, intense – and dangerous. Families, loyalty, and long-standing rivalries threaten to tear them apart at every turn.
But Mint isn’t just a crime drama or a romance. It slips between reality and imagination, blending everyday life with surreal, almost magical moments that reflect the characters’ inner worlds. One minute you’re grounded in realism, the next you’re somewhere softer, stranger, and more symbolic.
It’s about love, power, identity, and what happens when you choose your own path… even when it costs you everything.
Why should you watch Mint?
1. The cinematography
Prepare to be instantly pulled into a world that feels both raw and otherworldly. Mint plays with texture and memory – think VHS-style footage scattered between surreal daydreams and sharp, modern visuals. It’s glossy, gritty, and oddly nostalgic all at once.
2. Loyle Carner
Let’s talk about our favourite hip-hop artist’s acting debut. Loyle Carner arrives about 15 minutes in – and completely owns the screen. There’s something quietly magnetic about his performance, like he’s always holding onto a secret.
3. The drama
There is so much drama – and we are here for every second. Long-standing feuds bubble to the surface, families control who can and can’t fall in love, and the lies just keep stacking up.
4. The filming locations
Mint is rooted deeply in Scotland, with Glasgow and Grangemouth shaping its mood and identity. The industrial edges of Grangemouth give the series a stark, almost haunting backdrop – beauty found in unlikely places.
5. The forbidden romance
At its heart, Mint is about a love that shouldn’t exist – but refuses to disappear. It’s intense, messy, and completely consuming. The kind of love story that feels dangerous in the best way.
6. The magical realism
This isn’t your typical crime drama. Mint slips between reality and imagination so seamlessly you almost don’t notice it happening. Characters drift into dreamlike sequences, emotions take physical form, and the line between what’s real and what’s felt becomes beautifully blurred.
7. The soundtrack of Mint
Music in Mint isn’t just background – it breathes through the story. From atmospheric beats to emotionally charged tracks, every song feels carefully placed, adding another layer to the storytelling.
Across the series, the soundtrack moves from nostalgic classics like Leon Haywood and 10cc to modern experimental and alternative artists such as Charli XCX, Moses Sumney, Daughter, King Krule, and Saya Gray, creating a shifting emotional landscape that mirrors the show’s romance, tension, and surreal edge.
8. The cast of Mint
The cast of Mint is a huge part of what makes the series feel so very electric. It blends established talent with fresh, exciting faces.
Emma Laird leads the series as Shannon, delivering a performance that sits at the emotional centre of Mint. Alongside her Loyle Carner (have we mentioned him yet...) stars as Arran.
The wider Mint cast include Laura Fraser as Cat, Sam Riley as Dylan, Lindsey Duncan as Ollie, Neil Leiper as Sam, Gordon Brown as Eddie, Russ Bain as Ben, Thierry Mabonga as Spencer, Stephen McCole as Richard, Connor Newall as Liangelo, and Jade McDonald as Elise – all help build a world that feels tightly woven and fully lived-in.
9. The aesthetic
If you’re someone who loves visually striking TV, Mint delivers. From neon glows to smoky shadows, from intimate close-ups to wide, lonely landscapes – it’s effortlessly stylish without trying too hard.
10. It’s unlike anything else on TV right now
In a world full of predictable storylines, Mint dares to be different. It’s romantic, gritty, surreal, and emotional all at once – a BBC drama that refuses to sit in just one genre.
So if you’ve been searching for a new drama Dive in, get lost in it, and don’t be surprised if you come out the other side slightly obsessed.
The trailer for BBCs Mint:
This third-party content is provided by YouTube, which may use cookies and tracking technologies. Review your cookie preferences and enable cookies to view this content.
And if you're looking for more dramas to stream we've got plentyyy for you to sink your teeth into.
