Blurring the lines between sketch comedy and half-hour sitcom, Juice is the kind of off-kilter viewing that can often be hard to define.
With eye-popping visuals that feel like a mix between the warped sensibilities of The Mighty Busch crossed with the visual flare of an Edgar Wright film, it’s a technicolour queer comedy for the TikTok generation.
But the real reason to watch the series is for its creator, writer and star - Mawaan Rizwan, who in recent times has made a name for himself as a fresh voice on the comedy scene in the UK and abroad.
Partly based on Rizwan’s own life, Juice is both a not-too-subtle take down of corporate advertising culture and an existential examination of modern-day relationships and family dynamics, told from the unique perspective of Jamma – a young gay man living in London.
Jamma (Mawaan Rizwan) and Guy (Russell Tovey) in 'Juice'. Credit: Liam Daniel / Various Artists Limited
Starting out as a YouTuber at age 16 and having made the leap to stand up at an early age, Rizwan has been honing his comedic chops on stages around the world for over a decade, having performed everywhere from Melbourne to Edinburgh.
Known for his off uniquely observed takes on life as a gay Muslim man and off kilter musical performances, he represents a new wave of young talent who’ve successfully made the jump from influencer to artist.
Having appeared in the likes of Next of Kin and Two Weeks to Live, and written several episodes of hit show Sex Education, he would wind his way onto Forbes’ list of ‘30 under 30’ talent in 2020.
The 31-year-old now finds himself at the helm of his own chaotic creation - a wild joyride that feels uniquely authentic, not least because Rizwan’s own mother and brother also star in the show. Jamma is torn between his parents' endless bickering, his brother Isaac’s encroachment on his professional life, and the relationship he shares with older partner Guy - played by a pitch perfect Russell Tovey (Years and Years).
Isaac (Nabhaan Rizwan). Credit: Various Artists Limited
Each episode is filled with everyday conundrums, such as whether to take ecstasy at a work function, how to impress your hard-nosed boss or trying not to sleep with prospective housemates while looking for a room to rent.
These storylines are interwoven with fantasy sequences that can often lead down ever more elaborate tangents, so that we’re never quite sure if what we’re seeing is real or just another colourful concoction in Jamma’s mind.
Farida (SHAHNAZ RIZWAN) & Jamma (MAWAAN RIZWAN) Credit: Liam Daniel / Various Artists Limited
But perhaps most surprising is that amongst all the madness, there is a genuine heart at the centre of Rizwan’s strange tale. The central relationship between Jamma and Guy is a refreshingly honest portrait of a same sex couple feeling their way through a committed relationship, and the scenes involving Rizwan’s family help lend the series some added dramatic weight.
What shows like Juice ultimately prove more than anything, is that when it comes to crafting compelling television - a lack of experience in the medium doesn’t necessarily translate to a lack of originality. And just as Lena Dunham did with Girls or Phoebe Waller-Bridge with Fleabag, we can only hope that Rizwan’s work here is just the beginning of a long and successful career on the small screen.
All episodes of Juice will be streaming at SBS On Demand from 13 April. Double episodes will also air on SBS VICELAND Saturdays 10.35pm from 13 April.
