This “exceptional” British rom-com is near-perfect and on TV tonight – here’s why it’s a must watch

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Rye Lane, the highly praised British romantic comedy featuring Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson, is airing on television tonight – here’s all the information you need, including the reasons why it’s a must-watch!

The 2023 film, marking Raine Allen-Miller’s first feature film, follows Yas (Oparah) and Dom (Jonsson) as they develop a connection while walking through the vibrant areas of Brixton and Peckham in South London.

Created by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, Rye Lane has been streaming on Disney+ for about two years now, though it’s still, somewhat annoyingly, not available to buy on DVD or Blu-ray in the UK.

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There’s another chance to watch the romantic comedy tonight, as it’s scheduled to be shown on BBC Two at 9pm. It will also be added to the BBC iPlayer streaming service, and will probably stay there for about a month. Viewers can enjoy it at their convenience.

Besides Oparah and Jonsson, the film features a strong ensemble cast with Simon Manyonda and Emmerdale alum Karene Peter. Adding to the fun, a well-known British actor makes a brief appearance as a chef, in a smart nod to Love Actually.

Okay, so this rom-com didn’t make a ton of money in theaters, but honestly? Critics *loved* it. I mean, it’s currently sitting at a crazy 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 138 reviews! That’s huge, and it makes me want to check it out, even if it didn’t break any box office records. Seriously, a 98% rating is pretty rare!

In Digital Spy’s review of the movie, we said: “Generally, Rye Lane is a really happy and lively portrayal of South London, a fantastic example of Black British romantic comedy, and one of the sweetest love stories you’ll find in cinemas this year.”

Rye Lane wants you to root for Dom and Yas, but even if that doesn’t happen, you’ll likely fall in love with the film’s South London location and the carefree feeling of having a whole day to explore without a plan, according to Vulture.

Mashable also really liked the film, saying: “Rye Lane is charming and joyful, bursting with vibrant colors, energy, funny moments, and genuine emotion. It’s a must-see for rom-com fans, and it could even win over those who don’t usually enjoy the genre.”

Viewers in general really enjoyed the romantic comedy. It boasts a strong user score of 7.2/10 on IMDb, based on 15,000 ratings, and one person specifically called out the creative approach and exceptional writing.

Rye Lane will be shown tonight at 9pm on BBC Two, and then you can watch it on BBC iPlayer. It’s also streaming on Disney+.

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2025-10-03 16:49