A BRAND new gangster drama featuring a forbidden romance between two star-crossed lovers from rival crime families is hitting BBC One.
The sensational show has already been tipped as one of . Here’s everything you need to know.
Mint starts on BBC One on April 20 Credit: PA
Mint tells the story of Shannon, the daughter of the boss of a feared family who falls for a member of a rival gang, with tensions set to boil over across eight episodes.
The show’s writer, director and creator said: “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.
“So, it came from that really, it started with Ollie, the grandma – she was one of the first characters and it just went from there.”
Explaining what sets Mint apart, she added: “We never see these shows or films where the women are legitimately the central characters and everyone else falls to secondary roles.
“It is very much about what the wife of a gangster would experience or what the daughter would experience, which I think is different and something we haven’t seen before.
“And then hopefully the visual language, I think differentiates it from other shows like it – it never wants to be mad gritty or depressing or anything like that.
“It is meant to be a fun show. It’s meant to have a lot of joy in it and even when things are dramatic it’s done with a tone of joy and fun.”
When is Mint on BBC One and how many episodes are there?
The first two episodes of Mint air back-to-back on on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Episode one kicks off at 9pm, with episode two following immediately after at 9.30pm.
The show will then air weekly in the same slot, with two more episodes airing between 9pm and 10pm each Monday, with the series wrapping up on May 11.
If you don’t fancy the wait, all eight episodes are available to stream on from 6am on launch day.
The show was filmed in and around and Grangemouth in 2025.
Who is starring in Mint?
Emma Laird as Shannon Evans
Emma Laird is Shannon, who falls in love with the enemy Credit: BBC
, 27, takes the lead as Shannon – the daughter of a dominant crime family boss searching for love in her dad’s shadow.
She recently terrified audiences as Jimmima in horror film .
Emma has also appeared in The Brutalist and A Haunting in Venice.
Benjamin Coyle-Larner as Arran
Benjamin Coyle-Larner is Arran, the man Shannon falls for Credit: PA
South London rapper Benjamin Coyle-Larner plays Arran, the member of a rival crime family who captures Shannon’s heart.
Better known by his stage name , the role marks the 31-year-old musician’s first-ever acting gig.
He is best known for his Mercury-nominated album Yesterday’s Gone, and his follow-ups Not Waving, But Drowning and Hugo.
Sam Riley as Dylan Evans
Sam Riley is Shannon’s dad Dylan Credit: BBC
, 46, plays Shannon’s crime-boss father Dylan.
He is best known for playing Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis in 2007 biopic Control.
Sam has also appeared in and On the Road.
Lindsay Duncan as Ollie
Lindsay Duncan plays Ollie, one of the first characters written for the show Credit: PA
Lindsay Duncan, 75, plays gangster granny Ollie.
The show’s creator said the matriarch was one of the very first characters she wrote for the show.
Lindsay is also known for her roles in Rome, Truelove, A Discovery of Witches and The Honourable Woman.
Laura Fraser as Cat Evans
Laura Fraser was in Breaking Bad Credit: PA
, 50, plays Cat Evans.
fans will recognise her as Lydia Rodarte-Quayle from the show and its spin-off Better Call Saul.
Her other UK TV credits include Traces, Patience and The Missing.
The rest of the cast includes:
- Lewis Gribben as Luke Evans
- Neil Leiper as Sam
- Clive Russell as Andy
- Lucy Howard as Young Shannon
- Gordon Brown as Eddie
- Thierry Mabonga as Spencer
- Murray Fraser as Jasper
- Russ Bain as Ben
- Connor Newall as Liangelo
- Tav MacDougall as Colin
- Lucas Green as Young Liangelo
- Joseph Ogbu as Young Arran
- Emma Hartley-Miller as Nadia
- Hannah Collins as Jackie
- David Carlyle as Tom
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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