It’s hard to imagine quite what it would have been like for the Windrush generation to exchange the warm glow of the Caribbean sun for the rain and icy chill of Britain. But arriving on the set of Three Little Birds makes it a little easier. Everyone is shivering in the crisp winter air, with plumes of white breath accompanying every sentence. At least creator Lenny Henry has the warmth of a three-piece suit, but the stars of his semi-autobiographical series are not so lucky. They are in 1950s bridesmaid’s dresses and a lacy wedding gown, with tiny capped sleeves and large A-line skirts that are regrettably billowy. Their teeth chatter as they explain how thrilled they are to be part of the show. “It’s good vibes,” grins one. “It’s just lovely. I love it here. I love it.”
Three Little Birds, named after the Bob Marley song, follows three women who travel from Jamaica to settle in the UK in 1957. Gregarious sisters Leah and Chantrelle and their sister-in-law to be, Hosanna, all have very different reasons to leave Jamaica. Leah is escaping an abusive marriage, Chantrelle dreams of becoming a movie star, and Hosanna wants to settle down and start a family. They come together to overcome racism, sexism and forge their own paths. Inspired by the real-life Henry family, it’s a heartfelt and frequently hilarious drama.
