Years and Years—A Powerful Dive into the Near Future

I’ve just finished watching all six episodes of Years and Years tonight, in one sitting—which is honestly rare for me. Normally, I’m not one to binge-watch a series in a single evening, but this show completely pulled me in. I couldn’t help myself; I had to keep watching.
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If you’re a fan of shows like Black Mirror, Years and Years might be right up your alley. It has that same sense of unsettling futurism—though it’s not as dystopian, it’s still a sharp, thought-provoking look at where our world could be heading. The series blends current-day politics, social change, and technological advances with a dose of emotional family drama, and it does so in such a way that it feels both alarmingly real and eerily close to what might be just around the corner.

The show follows the Lyons, an ordinary British family, over the course of 15 years. You watch as their lives unfold against the backdrop of an ever-changing world—a world that’s shaped by political shifts, advances in technology, and mounting societal pressures. What I loved about Years and Years is how it centres on this one family but somehow manages to make the story feel so much bigger. It’s not just about their personal struggles, but how these are mirrored in the larger global landscape.

What really struck me were the performances. The cast is fantastic—especially Emma Thompson, who plays a controversial, outspoken politician that becomes the driving force of much of the narrative. But it’s also the small, intimate moments between the family members that really make this show stand out. It’s a mix of the personal and the political, showing how the choices we make affect not only our own lives but the world around us.

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the emotional depth. There were times when I found myself genuinely moved by the characters’ journeys. It’s easy to forget that behind all the global headlines, we’re all just people trying to navigate a world that’s rapidly changing. And Years and Years does an incredible job of reminding you of that.

If you’re someone who likes thought-provoking television that isn’t afraid to make you uncomfortable, Years and Years is definitely worth a watch. It’s not just a show about the future—it’s about how the decisions we make today could shape the world tomorrow. It’s relevant, it’s emotional, and it’s a little bit terrifying in the best way possible.

For me, it was one of those rare shows that had me hooked from start to finish, and I’m definitely glad I took the time to watch it all in one go.