Banana

Watch Banana

  • TV-MA
  • 2015
  • 1 Season
  • 7.5  (2,605)

Banana is an anthology series produced by E4 that explores contemporary urban life in all its diversity. Focused primarily on LGBT+ stories, the show offers a fresh take on relationships, identity, and sexuality in the 21st century. Created by the acclaimed writer Russell T Davies, Banana is a spin-off of the series Cucumber and features an ensemble cast of emerging and established actors.

The show follows a group of young adults living in Manchester, England, as they navigate the ups and downs of love, lust, and friendship. The characters are complex, flawed, and deeply relatable, each facing their own unique challenges and struggles. From the shy and closeted Dean (played by Fisayo Akinade) to the party-loving Scotty (played by Freddie Fox), Banana offers a nuanced and honest portrayal of queer life in contemporary Britain.

Dean's story arc focuses on his struggle to come out to his family and his growing affection for his best friend John (played by Andrew Leung). As a Nigerian immigrant, Dean faces multiple obstacles, including traditional values and religious beliefs, that make it difficult for him to embrace his identity fully. Akinade delivers a nuanced and heartfelt performance as Dean, conveying the character's fear, pain, and longing with sensitivity and rawness.

Scotty, on the other hand, is the life of the party, a fearless and charismatic young man who loves to have fun and experiment with his sexuality. As his relationships become more complicated and emotionally challenging, Scotty's carefree attitude begins to mask a deeper sense of insecurity and loneliness. Fox infuses the character with an infectious energy and vulnerability, making Scotty one of the most compelling and relatable characters in the series.

Vincent Franklin and Cyril Nri, who previously appeared in Cucumber, return to Banana as two middle-aged men struggling with their own issues. Franklin plays Henry, a successful businessman with a secret desire for younger men, while Nri plays Lance, a married man who discovers his husband's infidelity. The two actors bring depth and nuance to their roles, exploring the complexities of sexuality and relationships in an honest and refreshing way.

Other standout performances include Georgia Henshaw as Sian, a young woman who finds herself in a complicated love triangle with her best friend and her boyfriend, and Hannah John-Kamen as Viva, a confident and sexually liberated woman who is unapologetic about her desires. Both actresses bring a refreshing energy and authenticity to their roles, making their characters feel fully realized and fleshed out.

Overall, Banana is a bold and innovative series that pushes the boundaries of queer storytelling. Through its diverse and compelling characters, the show explores the complexities of relationships and identity in a way that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. With its sharp writing, talented cast, and fearless exploration of taboo subjects, Banana is a must-watch for anyone interested in contemporary LGBT+ culture.

Banana is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between April 13, 2015 and on E4

Banana
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Seasons
Episode 8
8. Episode 8
June 1, 2015
Hard-working Vanessa runs her own company, cleaning apartments. She's turned a blind eye to everything in her time, from sex parties to murder scenes. But when she finds herself on a shift with a young Nigerian girl, Vanessa has to face certain home truths for the first time in her life.
Episode 7
7. Episode 7
May 25, 2015
After a hot, wild night, Aiden and Frank find themselves making their way across Manchester the next morning. As two strangers, they find themselves facing the ultimate, awful gay truth: Frank just isn't good looking enough!
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
May 18, 2015
Amy's got a date with policewoman Kay - but the tension means that Amy's OCD is running out of control! She battles to separate the chaos in her head from the date with a woman she's really beginning to like. Can she make her mind up before it's too late?
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
May 11, 2015
Josh is a gay student in Manchester, having a fine old time, falling in love with the enigmatic Freddie Baxter. But when Josh is called home for his best friend Sophie's wedding, he wonders if he's outgrown his old mates. Can Sophie rekindle their friendship?
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
May 4, 2015
Helen has to get tough with her ex, Eddie, but her birthday turns into a disaster when Eddie takes revenge.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
April 27, 2015
A couple of lives collide after Sian meets wild-at-heart Violet.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
April 20, 2015
After Scotty sees Yvonne, it's love at first sight but it soon turns into an obsession as Scotty's life spirals completely out of control.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
April 13, 2015
Dean has everything he wants but no matter how fast he runs, his problems continue to catch up with him.
Description
Where to Watch Banana
Banana is available for streaming on the E4 website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Banana on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV and Peacock.
  • Premiere Date
    April 13, 2015
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (2,605)