Years and Years series is a British dystopian drama television production that premiered in 2019. The series was created by Russell T Davies and focuses on the life of a Manchester family over the course of 15 years, from 2019 to 2034, and how their lives change as the world faces various global and technological events that transform society.
There are several events that the series could not get right such as the arrival of the COVID-19 crisis or the defeat of Trump in the 2020 election. But it did predict in 2019 several events, such as the refugee crisis, the rise of populism, technology and artificial intelligence, as well as political and economic instability.
The series shows how the refugee crisis is becoming a global issue that affects both the countries that welcome them and those that reject them. It reflects how the massive arrival of people seeking refuge can generate tensions and conflicts, often fueled by xenophobia and misinformation. It also shows how the lack of effective and coordinated response by the international community can exacerbate this crisis and worsen conditions for refugees.
The crisis of management over the arrival of Ukrainian refugees following the Russian invasion, is coupled with the rise of political populism and how it can have serious consequences for democracy and society at large. Populist political parties often appeal to emotion and simplification to generate support, and often promote policies that seek the exclusion of certain groups or the concentration of power in the hands of a charismatic leader. The series shows how populism can undermine democratic values and the institutions that protect them.
Throughout the fifteen years of the series, it addresses the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence in our lives, and the possible impacts they may have in the future. The series shows how technology can have both positive and negative consequences, and raises important questions about how we can control and regulate its use. In addition, the series reflects on ethical and social issues related to artificial intelligence, such as the right to privacy, justice and discrimination.
The series shows how a series of political and economic events can have a ripple effect on global stability. It reflects how war, climate change and economic instability can generate massive conflict and displacement, and how the lack of effective response by world leaders can exacerbate these problems. Finally, the series also addresses inequality and lack of access to opportunity as factors that can contribute to political and economic instability.
The success of the series lies in its exploration of current and relevant topics, such as politics, technology, immigration, religion, gender identity, and sexuality, among others. It deals with them in a realistic and thoughtful manner, accompanied by a great construction of complex characters who are full of emotional layers, multidimensional, and very well developed, allowing the viewer to emotionally connect with them and understand their motivations.
The dystopian tone is in vogue, and “Years and Years” depicts a bleak and disturbing vision of the future, in which the world faces challenges such as climate change, war, and the rise of populism, among others. This tone creates an atmosphere of constant tension that keeps the viewer hooked to the plot.
Finally, the non-linear narrative of the series uses time jumps and different narrative perspectives to build a complex and exciting story that keeps the viewer alert and engaged with the plot.
