The Outcast (2015)

Many countries have outcasts — at least, when it comes to the boob tube. After Aussies watched the period saga The Outcasts (a 1961), America aired the Western series The Outcasts (1968-1969) as well as Cinemax’s horror show Outcast (2016-2017). In between, Brits got into the sci-fi serial Outcasts (2011) with Liam Cunningham and the 2-part miniseries The Outcast (2015) starring George MacKay. Based on the eponymous novel by Sadie Jones, the latter drama takes place in post-war England. It tells the story of Lewis Aldridge (Finn Elliot) who sees his mother (Hattie Morahan) drown in a river when he’s a child. His repressed father Gilbert Aldridge (Greg Wise) returns from the war, unable to cope with his own grief or empathize with his son’s. As such, young Lewis becomes detached from nearly everyone in his life, including the Vicar (Tom Knight). He’s all but an outcast in the small town except for his friendship with Tamsin (Daisy Bevan) and Kit (Jessica Barden). The sisters share his solidarity in many ways since they are also motherless with an emotionally-stunted father (Nathaniel Parker). Together, Lewis and the girls try to cope with their overwhelming pain in a society that believes children should be seen and not heard. Though raw, emotional and dark, The Outcast explores burgeoning sexuality. As Lewis (MacKay) grows into a young man, he rips off his shirt to fornicate with a female in episode 1. By episode 2, Mr. MacKay flashes his MacAbs, MacAss, MacSack and MacShaft. We’re lovin’ it!