BBC Mr Loverman fans all say the same thing just seconds into first episode

BBC One drama Mr Loverman, an adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo's book of the same name, aired two episodes on Monday night and viewers at home were quick to praise the series

BBC One's new drama Mr Loverman, based on Bernardine Evaristo's acclaimed novel, has been met with high praise from viewers just minutes into the first episode on Monday evening.

On Monday night, audiences were treated to the first two episodes of the much-anticipated show Mr Loverman back-to-back on BBC One.

The new show follows Barrington Jedidiah Walker (Lennie James), a 74-year-old Antiguan-born, exuberant Hackney personality, and Carmel Walker (Sharon D Clarke), his wife of 50 years, who senses Barry has been cheating on her with other women.

However, little does she know, he is embarking on a secret, passionate affair with his best friend and soulmate, Morris (Ariyon Bakare). Now facing the final chapter of his life, Barry has big choices to make that will force his whole family to question their futures.

Viewers were quick to heap praise on the new drama series with many also sharing their love for the book, which was released in 2013, reports the Express.

Taking to Twitter, now X, one person said: "I enjoyed the first two #MrLoverman episodes, a heartfelt story which I’m looking forward to seeing develop."

A different account wrote: "What a lovely piece of storytelling. #MrLoverman" while another added: "Loving it thought provoking also very funny #MrLoverman."

Elsewhere, a different viewer put: "Loving #MrLoverman on the @BBC. Amazing acting, Lennie James is fantastic. Well done", a different account wrote: "Binged all of #mrloverman today. Powerful. Emotional. Funny. Cast and crew should be immensely proud."

While someone else added: "So I’ve just finished binging #MrLoverman and what a beautiful love story going through decades, it was both funny and touching. Do yourself a favour and watch it."

"Well .... this is excellent, great book, great cast, great acting - what's not to love #MrLoverman," one impressed fan commented.

It comes as Mr. Loverman star Lennie has said the show’s "grown-up love story" will not "patronise" its audience. Lennie, who plays Barrington and is also an executive producer on the programme, said he hoped the show would take viewers into a world "they might think they know, but they might be surprised by how much they don’t know – in the sense of this particular love story between these two men but the particulars of these two men being older, West Indian immigrants to the UK."

All episodes of Mr Loverman are available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes also airing weekly on Mondays at 9pm on BBC One.