SummaryIn 1957, Leah (Rochelle Neil), her sister Chantrelle (Saffron Coomber) and their friend Hosanna (Yazmin Belo) left Jamaica for a new life in London in this drama series inspired by writer Lenny Henry's family's own experience. [Premiered originally in the UK on ITV on 22 Oct 2023 and in the US on BritBox on 1 Feb 2024]
Created By:Lenny Henry
Three Little Birds
Season 1 Premiere:
Oct 22, 2023
Metascore
Generally Favorable
70
User score
Generally Unfavorable
3.6
My Score
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All Seasons
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
70
57% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Feb 2, 2024
80
Three Little Birds is intended to be a feelgood series, but it’s not schmaltzy and doesn’t shy away from the issues Jamaicans and other Black people faced in England in the 1950s.
Dec 11, 2023
80
The drama is still finding its feet and in episode two it does, expanding a story that will doubtless resonate with many children of post-Windrush arrivals, and giving the rest of us a three-dimensional glimpse into a period that documentary can't quite tell in the round.
Dec 11, 2023
80
Henry and executive producer Russell T Davies were mindful of their responsibility to tell the story truthfully and unflinchingly, but they never forgot that to succeed, Three Little Birds needed to function at the level of pure drama, to smuggle in its share of soap-opera excitement. In that, it triumphed effortlessly.
Dec 11, 2023
80
All are immensely sympathetic characters, played with a vivid sensitivity.
Sep 10, 2024
60
As much as the main characters verge on timestamped stereotypes, they’re performed with panache.
Dec 11, 2023
60
At times it has the gentle, warm glow and period details of Call the Midwife. Then some unpleasantness occurs, but it lacks punch. It’s a likeable drama that could have offered more.
Dec 11, 2023
40
Three Little Birds exhibits deep reverence for its characters, but it doesn’t really seem to know them. And while respect for the Windrush generation is entirely appropriate – especially after the profound disrespect demonstrated by successive home secretaries – it doesn’t lend itself to a satisfying, engaging television drama.
User score
Generally Unfavorable
3.6
29% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
14% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
57% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Feb 9, 2024
6
Three Little Birds aims to lead us through the deep challenges facing three Jamaican women as they emigrate to England in 1957. Facing open, unapologetic racism and demoralizing working/living conditions, the limited series can't decide where to put itself and what tone to adopt. The dramatic moments that land are those where characters, and by extension us, are slapped about, literally and figuratively. But then the writers have also added scenes of recovery and restoration, which feel unearned and are heavy-handed. The final episode is especially confused as a happy ending seems predetermined - and then even that shifts in the final moments - written with a second season firmly in mind. If there is no second season, well, the audience has been badly served.
Production Company:
- Douglas Road Productions
- Tiger Aspect Productions
- ITV - Independent Television
Initial Release Date:Oct 22, 2023
Number of seasons:1 Season
Rating:TV-MA
Awards
Royal Television Society Midlands Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
