BBC One is set to premiere its latest drama, Mint, on Monday, April 20, 2026, with critics and audiences alike abuzz over its unconventional take on the crime family genre. Written and directed by Charlotte Regan, Mint blends dark comedy with a modern-day Romeo and Juliet narrative, centering on the turbulent love story of Shannon, the daughter of a notorious crime boss, and Arran, the enigmatic newcomer from a rival family. With its first episode airing at 9pm and the entire eight-part series available on BBC iPlayer from 6am the same day, viewers are poised for a binge-worthy experience that promises both emotional depth and visual spectacle.
At the heart of Mint is Emma Laird’s portrayal of Shannon, a 22-year-old woman grappling with the shadow of her father’s criminal empire while yearning for genuine connection. According to iNews, Laird described the series as “a great project with great people” and emphasized how much fun she had on set each day. Her character’s journey is one of both vulnerability and defiance, as Shannon navigates the treacherous waters of family loyalty and forbidden romance.
Opposite Laird is Ben Coyle-Larner—better known to music fans as Loyle Carner—making his acting debut as Arran. The casting of Coyle-Larner, a celebrated hip-hop artist whose debut album Yesterday’s Gone was nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize, marks a significant moment for the series. As noted by Cosmopolitan, his transition from the stage to the screen has generated considerable excitement, with fans eager to see how his understated charisma translates to the world of television drama.
The show’s creator, Charlotte Regan, has been candid about her inspiration for Mint. In an interview shared by Metro, Regan explained, “I’ve always loved gangster shows, gangster films, and I’d wanted them to centre around the women in the families. I think I always thought they were like the backbones of those kinds of families when you read about them and watch them.” She added that the character of Ollie, Shannon’s indomitable grandmother, was one of her earliest creations and a linchpin for the series’ female-centric narrative.
Indeed, the family dynamics in Mint are as compelling as the central romance. Early in the series, Dylan—the patriarch played by Sam Riley—makes the shocking decision to step down as head of the family for reasons shrouded in mystery. This move sets off a chain reaction: Sam, Dylan’s second-in-command (portrayed by Neil Leiper), steps up to fill the power vacuum, but his unconventional tactics quickly unsettle those around him. As the family’s internal politics unravel, viewers are drawn into the emotional lives of Shannon’s parents, Dylan and Cat (Laura Fraser), her older brother Luke (Lewis Gribben), and her stylish, sharp-tongued grandmother Ollie (Lindsay Duncan).
Fraser, known for her roles in Breaking Bad and A Knight’s Tale, brings gravitas to Cat, the family’s matriarch, while Lindsay Duncan—an acting legend with multiple Olivier and Tony awards—infuses Ollie with both sass and steel. Duncan’s performance, as described by Cosmopolitan, anchors the series’ exploration of generational strength and the often unseen influence of women within criminal dynasties.
Filming for Mint took place across Scotland in 2025, with key locations including Glasgow, Grangemouth, and Britain’s oldest oil refinery. According to the BBC, the production team sought out “random towns in Scotland” and were charmed by “the friendliest grannies in the world.” The show’s visual storytelling is further elevated by dramatic set pieces, including a fight staged at a racecourse, a drunken escapade on a billiard table, and even scenes where Laird and Coyle-Larner “fly around on wires in a park.” These flourishes, Regan says, are meant to capture the surreal highs and lows of young love under impossible circumstances.
Despite its crime family trappings, Mint is first and foremost a love story. The romance between Shannon and Arran is intense, sometimes obsessive, and always fraught with danger. As their relationship deepens, the couple’s undeniable connection forces both families to confront old rivalries and new possibilities. The series also weaves in the love stories of other women within the family, broadening its emotional scope and challenging the traditional boundaries of the genre.
Emma Laird’s commitment to the project was fueled in part by her admiration for Regan’s previous work. She told Metro, “I was a big fan of her film Scrapper and thought she was great. I was mid-shoot on another project and was flying to Venice Film Festival the next day but I went in to read [for the part]—I was so terrible at the Scottish accent, despite my dad being Scottish! I met Charli and from that first meeting, it was just super collaborative. And it has been the most beautiful collaboration; it’s exceeded my expectations.”
The ensemble cast is rounded out by a host of talented actors, including Lewis Gribben as Luke, Neil Leiper as Sam, Thierry Mabonga as Spencer, Gordon Brown as Eddie, Russ Bain as Ben, Murray Fraser as Jasper, Tav MacDougall as Colin, and Connor Newall as Liangelo. The younger versions of several characters are also portrayed, offering glimpses into the formative years that shaped the Evans and rival families.
For those eager to dive in, the series’ release strategy is designed to accommodate every viewing preference. The first episode airs on BBC One at 9pm on April 20, followed immediately by the second episode at 9:30pm. All eight episodes are available for streaming on BBC iPlayer from 6am, allowing viewers to watch at their own pace or savor the weekly broadcast schedule.
With its blend of dark humor, emotional depth, and striking visuals, Mint stands out as a bold new entry in the canon of British crime dramas. Regan’s focus on female perspectives, coupled with standout performances from Laird, Coyle-Larner, and Duncan, promises a series that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of forbidden romance, family intrigue, or simply a fresh take on the genre, Mint offers something for everyone—and is poised to become one of the most talked-about shows of the year.
As the credits roll on that first episode, it’s clear that Mint isn’t just another crime drama—it’s a story about love, loyalty, and the ties that bind us, set against the unpredictable backdrop of Scotland’s underworld.