A few questions before we dive in: Did you grow up around 1989? Do you look back on your teenage years with nostalgia or regret? Did you experience a pivotal first love back then? Did you let that person slip away without ever searching for them online over the years?
I realize I might have startled you by bringing up the passage of time since 1989—yes, it’s been decades. I had to confirm it myself, too.
How do you feel about watching portrayals of young love now that you’ve grown older? Will you sink into the couch with a smile, feeling wistful, or are you more likely to throw a shoe at the screen?
What do you think about a Sally Rooney-inspired narrative that revisits those who came of age in or around 1989, examining how their lives unfolded since? This is essential to consider. I’m referring to reflective moments, wry smiles at memories, and a melancholic atmosphere that prioritizes feelings over action.
Have you read the highly praised novel Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson?
Your responses will influence how much you enjoy Mix Tape, a series adapted by Jo Spain from Sanderson’s work. This four-part drama appreciates a double narrative—one set in their youth and the other in the present—as it explores the relationship between freelance music journalist Dan O’Toole (played by Jim Sturgess) and author Alison Connor (Teresa Palmer). They were each other’s first loves in Sheffield, and the younger actors Rory Walton-Smith and Florence Hunt excellently portray their teenage selves. Their interactions bubble with the intense excitement and significance that comes with teenage love.
Dan’s mother (Helen Behan) has her hesitations about how serious he is with Alison—she’d prefer he cast a wider net, while his father (Mark O’Halloran), a romantic at heart, offers guidance, particularly since Alison shows a keen interest in his prized racing pigeons.
Dan dreams of meeting Alison’s parents, but unfortunately, her situation is complicated—her father has passed, her mother struggles with alcoholism, and her partner Martin (Jonathan Harden) is an unsavory character. The slow pacing of Mix Tape, at times overly self-satisfied, makes this buildup feel even more sluggish.
The narrative unfolds more gradually in the present, as we await Dan and Alison’s reunion. When Alison publishes a new book, Dan nervously sends her a friend request online, which she eventually accepts. They begin to reconnect by sharing Spotify links of songs that marked their lives and relationship. Dan is now married to Katja (Sara Soulié), a character who serves as an annoying foil in Dan’s life, pushing for travel plans just as he gets the chance to collaborate with a music legend.
Alison, meanwhile, is married to a successful surgeon (how about a story of an unsuccessful one for a change?), and she tries to navigate the complexities of their family, including preventing her husband from pressuring their daughter Stella (Julia Savage) into a decision she may not be ready for.
Neither of their adult lives is perfect. Should they meet again to explore any lingering chemistry from 1989? Is the grass always greener on the side they didn’t choose? Why did they break up? Did Dan ever learn about Alison’s challenging home life and Martin? Do they simply want to give in to their long-buried feelings? These questions multiply as the story unfolds.
While Mix Tape showcases strong performances and a dedicated cast, it never quite ignites. Maybe that’s just me—when I look back at my first crush who made me a mix tape, I feel a surge of nausea. Wishing you more uplifting memories and a deeper appreciation of this series!
Mix Tape premiered on BBC Two and is currently available on iPlayer.
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