Mint Review: The Most Outrageously Beautiful TV Show Since Twin Peaks
Shannon, a 22-year-old with no job or hobbies, lives in a world of criminal intrigue. Her father is a fearsome gangster, her mother a Stepford-like mob wife, her brother a computer nerd, and her grandmother a hard-as-nails nymphomaniac. Amid the brown scrubland of an anonymous Scottish town, she waits for love—and finds it at first sight across the tracks of a deserted train station with Arran, a member of a rival clan.
A Surreal and Sumptuous Visual Feast
From writer-director Charlotte Regan, known for the film Scrapper, Mint is her first proper TV project and a clear auteur work. The series weaves together VHS-style footage, surreal daydream sequences, gorgeously odd framing, and special effects that balance YA kookiness with artistic flair. It might be the most outrageously beautiful television show since Twin Peaks, featuring a visually stunning masturbation scene in the opening episode where lights flicker and sparks arc across the screen.
Beyond Romeo and Juliet: A Study of Trauma and Power
While starting as a gritty 21st-century Romeo and Juliet tale, Mint quickly shifts gears. The romantic bubble bursts, giving way to a sprawling exploration of trauma, power, loyalty, and betrayal. Characters are all victims in their own right: Cat, trapped in an underage arranged marriage; Shannon, cushioned by ill-gotten gains but vulnerable to terrible men; and Dylan, who abandons his criminal life, grappling with paternal expectations and warped masculinity.
The psychological depth is enhanced by standout performances. Emma Laird brings a refreshing mix of bolshie swagger and pure-hearted naivety to Shannon, while Laura Fraser excels as the desperate Cat. The impressionistic style immerses viewers in the characters' inner torment, avoiding typical gangster drama tropes like detectives or heists.
A Deliberate Departure from Genre Conventions
Mint concludes with a tense, Shakespearean tragedy-inspired finale, but it's less superficially satisfying than standard gangster thrillers—a deliberate choice to dodge clichés. However, some may find the characters hard to identify with, and the focus on humanising criminals might feel overdone in a genre saturated with such narratives.
If you're suffering from gangster fatigue, Mint's oblique spin might not fully win you over, but it remains an undeniably impressive feat with an incredible payoff. For those seeking a visual treat, this series delivers in spades. Mint aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer now.
