Trigonometry: a love story about three people who are made for each other

Trigonometry, an unconventional love story about three people who are made for each other, is now streaming first on Showmax. 

Gemma, a chef, and Kieran, her paramedic boyfriend, live together in West London, above Gemma’s café. Though Kieran and Gemma are rock-solid, love alone can’t pay the bills, or London rent. They’re barely making ends meet, and their clashing work shifts mean they’re like ships in the night. 

To ease some of the financial pressure, they decide to take in a lodger, and unexpectedly find the perfect match they never knew they needed in Ray, a former Olympic synchronised swimmer. 

“There’s something about being absolutely honest with each other that makes the relationship between the three of them possible.”

Ariane Labed

Trigonometry is directed by Greek New Wave pioneer and festival favourite Athina Rachel Tsangari (Attenberg, Chevalier), who’s won at Venice, London and AFI; competed at Sundance and SXSW; and co-produced the Oscar-nominated movie Before Midnight. 

Locarno and Venice Best Actress winner Ariane Labed (The Lobster, Before Midnight) is Ray, Gary Carr (The Deuce, The Good Fight, Downton Abbey) is Kieran, and Thalissa Teixeira (Press, Hobbs & Shaw) is Gemma. 

“There’s something about being absolutely honest with each other that makes the relationship between the three of them possible,” says Ariane.

Gary says it was the realness of the characters that drew him to the project. “Trigonometry felt very different to a lot of the scripts I read that can be so macho,” he says. “It is really refreshing to see a character who is relatable and a fair representation of a real man; he cries, he laughs, he has a sense of humour, he’s very intelligent, he can be serious, he’s very sensitive, he understands. It is great to play a character like that. “

As the three come to terms with the chemistry and growing affection they share, they’re also confronted with the practicalities of living together, navigating one another’s emotions and insecurities, and coping with the world’s response to their relationship. 

“It’s about love, friendship, trust, jealousy, humour … and anxiety,” Thalissa says, “But mostly, it’s about love. Throughout the series, the message is that love is just for people. It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman.”

“People might find it unconventional because there are three of them,” she adds, “but to me, and to everyone involved in the drama, we have never gone ‘that’s weird.’ I have had friends who have been in polyamorous relationships or open relationships and it’s something that’s being spoken about a lot more. Maybe it’s just people experiencing that there are so many beautiful people in the world.”

Nominated for a Teddy Award at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, the BBC series has an 83% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Times (UK) calling it “a gentle, quietly surprising love story.”

Indiewire praises the show’s “economy of storytelling”, saying, “Gemma, Kieran, and Ray have the kind of dynamic that sings on screen even when they’re trying to suppress it (either to themselves or to each other.)”

“The interesting part of this story,” Ariane says, “is understanding that love is much more complex than just a little girl dreaming of a prince. There are so many ways of loving someone, other people maybe, and many ways to build a family as well. I hope this drama will encourage people to be much more open to what a relationship and family can look like.“