'No matter when or where or who': Iterations of It's a Sin.

This article examines the significance of the title of Russell T. Davies’s 2021 TV series *It’s a Sin*, which was named after the 1987 Pet Shop Boys single of the same name. It explores how this intertextual reference creates a complex network of meanings linking the show to historical and contemporary narratives of HIV/AIDS activism, queer politics, and themes of sin, shame, and redemption, including the influence of filmmaker Derek Jarman and the music project Years & Years, whose lead singer Olly Alexander starred in the series and covered the song. The article analyzes the cultural and political contexts surrounding the original song, its music video, and the TV show’s portrayal of the AIDS crisis in 1980s Britain, highlighting tensions between blame and shame within queer communities and broader society. It also discusses how the show’s use of music and religious imagery contributes to its narrative, while acknowledging critiques of the series’ emphasis on blame rather than more reparative approaches to shame.