Three Little Birds is praised by viewers for its ‘superb’ cast and Lenny Henry’s ‘eye opening’ script as fans thank the star ‘for telling this story and not holding back’

British Windrush drama Three Little Birds aired its first episode to high praise on Sunday night.

The ITV1 six part drama is set in 1957, and follows three young women leaving Jamaica to set sail for a new life in the UK. 

The plot, written by Sir Lenny Henry, is inspired by his mother’s stories about leaving the Caribbean island for Great Britain. 

The series, which takes it’s name from the famous Bob Marley song, stars newcomer Rochelle Neil as well as former EastEnders actress Saffron Coomber, and Dr Who’s Arthur Darvill.  

New Sunday night drama: British Windrush drama Three Little Birds aired its first episode to high praise on Sunday night – Pictured: Hosanna (Yazmin Belo) and Leah (Rochelle Neil)

The first episode prompted an outpouring of praise on X, formerly known as Twitter, as viewers lauded the ‘superb’ cast and Sir Lenny’s ‘eye-opening’ script.

The series follows Rochelle and Saffron’s gregarious sisters Leah and Chantrelle, who convince their bible-loving acquaintance Hosanna (Yazmin Belo) to join them on their adventure across the globe as a potential wife for their brother Aston Brahms (Javone Prince).

One viewer tweeted that they ‘felt honoured to watch the first ep with my nan. She gave her commentary throughout and spoke about her experience coming over from Jamaica. So glad she can see herself and her story representend Thanks to all involved for telling this story and not holding back.’

Another declared that ‘this will be my new Sunday night watching!’

‘Really enjoyed watching #ThreeLittleBirds tonight. I’m already glued to the characters stories in the drama. Can’t wait to see what happens next,’ added another.

‘Written brilliantly by Lenny Henry and the cast is superb, looking forward to the other episodes’.

Sir Lenny Henry has revealed his late mother Winifred was one of the inspirations which led him to pen new ITV drama Three Little Birds.

The comedian, 65, has written the series which follows the story two sisters and their friend emigrating from Jamaica to the UK and arriving as part of the Windrush generation in 1957 – which later became a scandal.

Pen to paper: The plot, written by Sir Lenny Henry, is inspired by his mother’s stories about leaving the Caribbean island for Great Britain

Praise: The first episode prompted an outpouring of praise on X, formerly known as Twitter, as viewers lauded the ‘superb’ cast and Sir Lenny’s ‘eye-opening’ script

Those who made the trip, including Lenny’s mother who sadly passed away in 1998, in a bid to help rebuild Britain following WWII were years later detained, denied legal rights and threatened with deportation, despite having made the UK their home for decades, in a scandal the star described as ‘appalling’. 

Lenny told The Mirror: ‘We’re in a situation where one’s nationality and Caribbeanness is being weaponised to send people back to their home, even though they’ve lived here and have become British. 

Adding: ‘The Windrush scandal has been appalling and it’s hurt quite a lot of people’.

Lenny, who was mentored writing the series by Dr Who scribe Russell T Davies, said that the show will still be relatable for everyone. 

Saying: ‘Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, you can relate to moving from one place to another place for survival. It’s not just a story about five Jamaicans in a room in Dudley. It’s all our stories, because we were here, we’ve been here and we’re still here’.

Real life: The ITV1 six part drama is set in 1957, and follows three young women leaving Jamaica to set sail for a new life in the UK. 

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