‘Love in the Time of Corona’: Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the quarantine series
With the kind of impact the coronavirus pandemic has had over people across the globe, it was only a matter of time before films and television began reflecting that in stories. Presenting: a four-part limited series titled ‘Love in the Time of Corona’.
A play on the name of the iconic Gabriel García Márquez novel ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’, this limited series will air on Freeform, which is owned by Walt Disney Television.
Release date
‘Love in the Time of Corona’ is a special two-night limited event on Freeform. It will air on August 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and August 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The episodes will also be available on Hulu the following day.
Plot
‘Love in the Time of Corona’ will reportedly follow several interwoven stories of characters stuck at home. It will take a close look at romance, sex, and relationships in the lockdown. “Love is a basic and central need,” said creator and executive producer Joanna Johnson. “Finding it in the time of corona may pose unique challenges, but it won’t stop us from forging great love stories, inspiring grand romantic gestures and profound acts of kindness.”
According to reports, stories will include that of James and Sade, a couple who have been living somewhat separate lives. James travels extensively for work and Sade raises their daughter at home. However, once the pandemic puts them under one roof, their time together leads them to re-evaluate their relationship and their priorities.
Another story examines the relationship of Oscar, a nonbinary stylist, and their friend Elle, an aspiring singer-songwriter. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, Oscar and Elle’s mostly platonic friendship becomes increasingly complicated as Oscar’s latest online date progresses toward relationship territory just as Elle’s neighborly crush starts to blossom.
The third story will feature Paul and Sarah, a couple who quietly separated months earlier but reluctantly decide to quarantine together when their daughter Sophie returns from college. When Sophie's high school sweetheart suddenly breaks up with her, Paul and Sarah struggle to keep up their “happy couple” act.
The fourth story looks at Nanda, a woman who is determined to celebrate her 50th anniversary with her husband Charles. As fate would have it, however, Charles is unable to come home from a rehab facility when COVID-19 puts the facility into lockdown.
From the looks of it, ‘Love in the Time of Corona’ is a quarantine version of ‘Easy’ or ‘Modern Love’.
Cast
Leslie Odom Jr. as James
The 38-year-old American actor and singer is best known for his role as Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical ‘Hamilton’. Odom Jr. won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for that role. His television roles include ‘Smash’, ‘Person of Interest’, ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’, and ‘Central Park’.
Nicolette Robinson as Sade
The 32-year-old American stage and television actor is known for her role as Jenna in the Broadway musical, ‘Waitress’. Her other notable roles include shows like ‘The Affair’, ‘Hart of Dixie’, and ‘Perfect Couples’.
Tommy Dorfman as Oscar
The 28-year-old American actor is best known for playing the role of Ryan Shaver in the Netflix teen drama series ‘13 Reasons Why’. His other recurring television roles include ‘Jane the Virgin’ and ‘American Princess’.
Rainey Qualley as Elle
The 30-year-old American actor and singer is known for her roles in films like ‘Mighty Fine’, ‘Falcon Song’, ‘Ocean’s 8’, and ‘Perfect’. Qualley performs her music under the stage name Rainsford.
Creator
The four-part limited series has been created by Joanna Johnson. Apart from Johnson, Leslie Odom Jr., Nicolette Robinson, Christine Sacani and Anonymous Content's Robyn Meisinger serve as executive producers for ‘Love in the Time of Corona’.
Trailer
The trailer for ‘Love in the Time of Corona’ dropped on Monday, July 27, and the 30-second clip introduces all the characters like James and Sade, Oscar and Elle, Paul and Sarah, Nanda, and more. The short trailer gives us a peek into their lives as they remain locked down inside their homes, navigating complicated relationships.
While ‘Love in the Time of Corona’ was shot using remote technologies from in the cast’s actual homes, the trailer shows us that the production quality did not suffer at all despite the tough situation they were shot under.
If you like ‘Love in the Time of Corona’, you will also like
‘Easy’, ‘Modern Love’, ‘Master of None’, ‘Friends From College’, and ‘Bonding’.