It has real emotional grit

Fans have been praising the new Leonard Cohen TV series So Long Marianne.

The show, which is currently streaming on ITVX, is based on the relationship between the late Canadian singer and Marianne Ihlen, who inspired the titular song.

Alex Wolff (A Quiet Place: Day One) plays Cohen and Thea Sofie Loch Naess (The Last Kingdom) Marianne.

The bulk of the show was filmed on the Greek island of Hydra where the pair lived in the 1960s.

Many fans have been praising the show with one writing: “I’ve watched the first two episodes of So Long Marianne on ITVX and am completely hooked. It has a gorgeous setting, great performances and real emotional grit.”

I’ve watched the first two episodes of So Long Marianne on ITVX, and am completely hooked. It has a gorgeous setting, great performances and real emotional grit. pic.twitter.com/xwIQQAfi6f

— Theresa Howes (@howes_theresa) October 21, 2024

Watching ‘So long Marianne’ @ITVX story of Leonard Cohen and Marianne the inspiration for the beautiful song he wrote about her ..so far it’s visually gorgeous and interesting ..he wrote amazing songs and as good a writer as Dylan back then 💖#solongmarianne #leonardcohen

— Lynsey🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@ShesfromWales) October 20, 2024

No TV but I watch my iPad sometimes. I have a licence ( annoys me)
I’ve been watching this series on Leonard Cohen and Marianne . I can’t believe how it’s affected me. It’s all based on a letter sent to Marianne as she lay dying from
Leukaemia. The actors are wonderful pic.twitter.com/JmPNIP0ll0

— helen warlow (@HWarlow) October 21, 2024

Another added: “Watching ‘So long Marianne’ @ITVX story of Leonard Cohen and Marianne the inspiration for the beautiful song he wrote about her ..so far it’s visually gorgeous and interesting ..he wrote amazing songs and as good a writer as Dylan back then.”

One other fan also hailed the series, writing: “I’ve been watching this series on Leonard Cohen and Marianne. I can’t believe how it’s affected me. The actors are wonderful.”

The show runs for eight episodes and is streaming now on ITVX.

In 2016, Ihlen died of leukemia three months and nine days before Cohen himself. His farewell letter to her was read at her funeral.

The song ‘So Long Marianne’ was inspired by Ihlen and it featured on Cohen’s 1967 debut album ‘Songs Of Leonard Cohen’.

She went on to directly inspire many of his other songs and poems and a photo of her appeared on the back cover of his second album, ‘Songs from A Room’.