Charlotte Regan's new BBC series Mint has been hailed as one of the most beautiful television shows since Twin Peaks, blending a Romeo and Juliet-style romance with gritty gangster drama. The series follows Shannon, a 22-year-old woman living with her fearsome gangster father, Dylan, and her family on the outskirts of a Scottish town. Her life changes when she falls in love at first sight with Arran, a man from a rival criminal clan.
The show is noted for its striking visual style, incorporating VHS footage, surreal daydream sequences, and inventive special effects. One particularly memorable scene features a visually stunning masturbation sequence where Shannon's fantasies cause suburban lights to flicker and sparks to fly. Despite the aesthetic beauty, the world of Mint is one of extreme ugliness, with Dylan ordering violent 'party games' at family gatherings.
As Shannon's romance blossoms, her mother Cat identifies Arran as a member of a rival gang, setting the stage for conflict. However, the series takes unexpected turns, evolving from a euphoric romance into a study of trauma, power, and betrayal. Each character is revealed as a victim in their own way, from Cat's arranged marriage to Dylan's struggle with paternal expectations.
Emma Laird delivers a compelling performance as Shannon, balancing swagger with naivety, while Laura Fraser excels as the overwhelmed Cat. The series avoids typical crime drama tropes, skipping detectives, heists, and undercover agents in favour of psychological depth. The finale returns to Shakespearean tragedy, offering a tense and satisfying conclusion.
While Mint is visually and emotionally immersive, some critics feel it lacks the emotional resonance of Regan's previous work, Scrapper. Nonetheless, it stands as a bold and original addition to the gangster genre, showcasing Regan's distinctive directorial voice.
