Book, Film & TV Reviews
Written by Daragh Carville, The Bay first aired on ITV in 2019. The second season sees D.S. Lisa Armstrong (Morven Christie) of the West Lancashire Police Service who, now that her suspension is over, has been demoted. Now working under D.C Ahmed ‘Med’ Kharim (Taheen Modak), the team are investigating the shooting of a solicitor who is shot on his doorstep. To complicate Lisa’s life further, her ex-husband Andy (Joe Absolom) reappears.
The Pembrokeshire Murders is a three-part miniseries that aired on ITV in January 2021. The series follows the true story of newly promoted Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins (Luke Evans) as he investigates the Pembrokeshire murders by Welsh serial killer John Cooper (Keith Allen) in the 1980s. With advances in technology for Forensic DNA analysis, witness reports and artists impressions of the suspect, Wilkins decides to re-open two unsolved murder cases linked with a string of burglaries. When Dyfed-Powys Police review a 1989 episode of Bullseye, this ultimately leads them to finally catch the serial killer.
Continue reading “TV Review: The Pembrokeshire Murders (ITV) – Miniseries”
Every year, I document every film that I watch using Letterboxd and record every book that I’ve read with Goodreads. So, I thought I would start doing the same with the TV series that I watch.
This is my TV watchlist for 2020. I haven’t included any competition shows or reality TV shows or competition shows, but I have included series from other years that I’ve watched to catch up with.
Whilst I enjoyed the first season of You, I wasn’t particularly interested in a second season but I decided to give it a go anyway. The series certainly maintains the intensity and disturbing curiosity of the first, keeping you guessing throughout as to how things will inevitably unfold, but it also feels repeated in many ways and struggles to break away from the formula.
It’s nice to see the good in people, and that’s what I love so much about this series. There are very few shows that I watch where I like every single character involved, but that’s what’s so great about Sex Education. I love every single character, and that’s why I want to spend so much time with them, because their eagerness and happy spirits make me feel better about myself.
The last episode had me laughing and crying, and yet again wanting Ncuti Gatwa to be my best friend. I really look forward to another series of this one, and I may even have to rewatch all of this before then because I just can’t wait that long.
A well-paced thriller, the tension vamps up with each episode. By around the fifth episode, you’ll want to binge-watch the rest all in one go. There are many twists and turns that will keep you engaged, and an ending that you won’t see coming (although I had guessed whodunnit in the final moments).
However, it is somewhat disappointing that there are two separate stories going on in an attempt to distract viewers from the mystery at hand, and some of the reasons given for certain characters’ behaviour don’t add up in the long run. There’s definitely a lot of loose ends which seem to be hinting at a second season, but the only thing I want to see more of are the performances from the two leads.
When it comes to the fantasy genre, there are several ways that a TV series or film can go. You can either have your Game of Thrones-style sex, gore, and dragons, or you can have your monsters, witches, elves and orgies in the woods. This is definitely the latter.
Although I hoped for more horror-fuelled monsters and blood spill as the first scene promised, what you end up with is a group of fantasy-stereotyped characters with hard-to-pronounce names, set in a fictional medieval-inspired world that is run by large goat-looking creatures rather than nightmare-ish beasts. It definitely wasn’t what I expected it to be.
When I saw people talking about a new Netflix true-crime series that was to do with a young person being abused, I thought I knew what to expect and prepared myself for its upsetting subject matter. But this hit a lot harder than I thought it would.
The story of Gabriel Fernandez is a heartbreaking one all on its own, but what’s more shocking is how it could have been prevented. And that’s what’s so shocking about this documentary: the bigger picture that Gabriel wasn’t just abused by two nasty excuses for human beings, but of how he was the let down by the system, time and time again.
Netflix must have known that a worldwide lockdown was on its way because Tiger King is a binge-worthy series of the highest order. Full of eccentric personalities including drug kingpins, conmen, and cult leaders, everybody in this series is full-on crazy and there’s so much going on that it’s hard to believe that you haven’t heard anything about these people before.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to watch this series when it was first released because I couldn’t imagine how the story of a wild animal owner could link to a murder-for-hire plot, but this documentary series is pure entertainment. It’s equal measures of intriguing and disturbing, making you laugh at the absolutely bonkers things that go on in the narrow-sighted world of these people, but also opening your eyes to the cruelty going on in these facilities as well as the minds of their owners.
With series such as Making A Murderer, The Confession Tapes, and The Innocent Man being such a hit on Netflix, there was always going to be a call for more true-crime series, especially when it came to true stories about innocent people in prison. So, what a better concept than to give The Innocence Project some much-needed publicity?
The Innocence Files is a disturbing but also informative and hopeful series about real people who were sent to jail for years for something they had nothing to do with, with their convictions often being based on evidence that fell apart as soon as it came under The Innocence Project’s microscope.
It’s a complex story but one that’s easy to follow, heavy on crime but it doesn’t weigh you down with talk of money-laundering or drugs. With rich characters and clever writing, the series is very character-driven and keeps you intrigued with plenty of plot twists and well-paced developments.
Gervais has been hugely praised for his writing of this series, but he also needs to be praised for his acting. Every tear his character shed, I felt the pain behind. However, the series also feels you with hope at the same time, delivering on every level.
The most I know about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls is that Michael Jordan was in Space Jam. And that really is it. But consider me impressed. With a blend of archival footage and present-day interviews, the comprehensive documentary tells a fascinating story, and it tells it well. Giving a behind-the-scenes look into the careers of the Chicago Bulls’ renowned players, The Last Dance is entertaining but also brilliantly insightful, reminding viewers exactly why Michael Jordan is a legend.
The documentary may only relay the facts that are already out there, not necessarily adding anything new, but it’s a great starting point if you know little about Epstein. I had only seen what was on the news before watching this so I didn’t realise how horrific the details of this case were, and how much there is still left to uncover. It’s informative and eye-opening, but it also leaves you feeling enraged. The corruption involved is disgusting. If you didn’t realise how big this case is before, you’ll definitely understand the true scale of his crimes after watching this.
After the last season, I didn’t particularly look forward to another one but I knew that the characters needed to feel guilty for their actions. But while the start of this new series’ main purpose is to do just that, it neglects to resolve anything by the end, getting lost in its plot and forgetting its roots.
Instead, this fourth season is angry and filled with elements of horror. But who is it trying to scare? Guilt may manifester itself in different ways to different people, but for a series that is already quite heavy, it all feels a little unnecessary. If it were toned down a bit, some of it could have had the desired effect but it’s just not what we needed from the final season.
A huge fan of the Bong Joon-ho film, I didn’t know whether to be excited about a new series that would divert people to a film that sadly missed out on a UK release, or annoyed that Joon-ho’s efforts might be overlooked for something more mainstream. But if it brings light to a truly underappreciated film, then I won’t complain.
The dystopian setting created in Le Transperceneige is what makes this such a great story worthy of adapting, rebooting and expanding on. The sci-fi premise is brilliantly crafted and explored in a unique and immersive way. Questioning class warfare, social injustice, and the politics of survival, it’s a well-developed series that is sure to entertain.
With an apparent suicide with no evidence of how a body reached its destination, a series of UFO sightings all in the same night, and a murdered family with the accused father still on the run without a trace, Unsolved Mysteries is another gripping binge-worthy series from Netflix. I like that it has a mix of cold cases and paranormal phenomena, balancing out the harrowing to feed our true-crime obsession with the absurd to add a hint of fun. But this is one that will leave you with more questions than answers.
A fantastic first series showing Elizabeth grow in confidence and takes charge. I especially loved seeing her relationship with Winston.
I’m finding this series so interesting despite having no interest in the Royals. I loved the focus on Margaret, the look into Charles’ and Philip’s childhood at school, and the glimpse at the lives of JFK and Jackie.
The Social Dilemma is a documentary that we all need to watch. There may be a lot that we already know about or make assumptions about, especially in regards to advertising and fake news, but it gets you thinking about your own usage of social media and I think it’s important that we all evaluate that.
Piecing together home videos, social media posts, text message conversations and interrogation room video, American Murder: The Family Next Door is a real-life found-footage horror. The way it’s formatted makes it a gripping watch. With only firsthand footage, the story is told exactly how it happened, without opinions or other points of view that may be unreliable or bias.
An impressive collection of stories that are told through a unique approach to police drama, looking at crimes from an angle that you wouldn’t normally expect to think about them from. It impresses, it shocks, and it constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat as you play detective along with the investigation team to decide innocent or guilty.
After loving the first series of this, I couldn’t wait to get straight into the next. And I actually enjoyed this even more than the first. The cases are even more interesting as you play detective along with the investigation team to decide innocent or guilty, and it certainly keeps you battling with the decision.
Another hauntingly creepy, brilliantly developed and emotionally impacting series from the team behind The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting Of Bly Manor is an exceptional ghost story full of standout performances and characters and twisted narrative.
Of course it isn’t as impressive as Hill House because that’s a series that we weren’t expecting to terrify us so much but also draw is in so emotionally. But while Bly Manor doesn’t have the big scares, it’s much more subtle in its emotional complexity and still manages to have a lasting effect.
With a beautiful colour palette and a legendary cast, Ratched isn’t the gruesome, twisted horror-edged drama that I was expecting it to be, but it gives an interesting insight into what happened in mental facilities in these times.
With Ryan Murphy developing the series and Sarah Paulson in the lead, there is obviously a feeling of American Horror Story to it, especially with the mental asylum setting and murderous characters. It wasn’t quite as sinister as I thought it was going to be, though, but there are certainly some nice surprises along the way.
Patricia Arquette and Joey King give phenomenal performances as the mother and daughter, really getting into the heads of their characters to make the audience both sympathise and despise them at different times, emphasising the conflict of their motives with their actions.
With Chloë Sevigny and Calum Worthy also giving great support, they all help to tell this almost-unbelievable story brilliantly. King, especially, completely embraces the role of the high-pitched, physically and mentally tormented young Gypsy, showing the two very different sides to her personality – the fragile girl who has unknowingly been abused her whole life, and the suddenly more independent teenager who uses her newfound confidence to takes things into her own hands.
With exceptional performances, perfect casting, and high-quality cinematography throughout, Little Fires Everywhere is a remarkable adaptation of a book that gets your mind ticking away. Although it differs slightly from the book, it is a superbly written story that brilliantly expands on the book’s primary themes of motherhood and identity, exploring a handful of significant issues from various perspectives through its excellently crafted but largely contrasting characters.
Reading the book, I could see why Witherspoon connected to the character of Elena. Witherspoon is such a self-aware actress that it’s no wonder she could see herself playing the role. There’s a lot to aspire about a woman like Elena. But while she has good intentions, she’s blind-sighted by her ignorance which is what makes her very unlikeable at the same time. She’s planned her whole life to ensure that she can give her children the best of everything, but she’s also neglected to put them first to be able to do this.
With a paranormal twist, The Outsider won’t be for everybody, but the quality of its look and feel may just be enough to entice any sceptic. The creepy ambience builds up a great tension and, although the final episode is somewhat anti-climactic, I’d definitely be up for another series of this, as the mid-credit scene seems to hint at.
Ballers was a series that I didn’t expect to enjoy, but ended up loving. A lot of that is to do with Dwayne Johnson’s and Rob Corddry’s fantastic comedic chemistry, but there’s also a great supporting cast which has helped to kick off the acting career of the brilliant John David Washington.
But what I loved about the first three seasons has become lost in these final two, so I wasn’t surprised to find out that the series had been cancelled. This final season does attempt to retouch on some of the sporting topics that the first season opened up some important discussions about, but it’s definitely too little, too late.
The Jinx is the definition of a groundbreaking documentary in that it goes far beyond relaying facts. It exposes long-buried information, finds new evidence, and even unveils a potential confession, albeit one that was likely to not be admissible in court.
With the filmmakers having spent nearly 10 years researching Durst’s story, they knew the ins and outs of the case before Durst agreed to talk to them. Their meticulous research and investigative efforts not only got Durst, the prime suspect, to finally talk, but it helped to lead to his arrest, ultimately managing to do what law enforcement could not.
Too often I watch a documentary and instantly lose trust in the subjects and lack any compassion for them. And rightly so. They’ve committed a horrible crime, so I don’t expect to understand their point of view. So I thought that would be the same for this documentary. From the trailer alone, I couldn’t imagine that I would ever believe that two people killed because they genuinely believed in a Boogeyman. But this documentary is far more than just a horror story.
What this documentary does best of all is that it doesn’t exploit its young subjects. Instead, it offers a sensitive exploration into mental illness and opens up a debate about the impact of the internet on children. In no way do I sympathise with the two girls – they still attempted to kill somebody (who fortunately recovered after six days in the hospital) after all – but the documentary brilliantly highlights how young and naive minds can be manipulated by something much bigger than them.
Partially based on Freeman’s own experience as a parent, Breeders is a painfully honest and non-judgemental, although hugely dramatised, look at how parenthood is often very messy.
There’s a lot of dry British humour and it’s not something that everybody will relate to. It’s also very exaggerated as Freeman’s character, Paul, is the extreme of a “parent behaving badly”. He does come across as a little too aggressive at times, but most parents will be happy to admit that: “I would die for those kids. But often, I also want to kill them.”
Full of gripping performances, brilliantly choreographed graphic violence and even more sexual tension, Gangs of London is undoubtedly the best series of the year so far, and it will be hard for another to top the experience I’ve had with this immensely impressive crime drama.
A truthful and raw drama with powerful performances, I Know This Much Is True is a hard-hitting story that excels in quality, but tells a grim story that has no lighter moments to give you chance to breathe.
I was intrigued by this series as it’s directed by Derek Cianfrance and I love his films. Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines, and The Light Between Oceans are all some of my favourites. They all have their darker moments, too, and Cianfrance certainly knows how to get the most of the talented actors he gets involved in his work, but I really felt the misery of I Know This Much Is True.
The high saturated colours and soft shallow camera focus are stunning and the performances are strong, but I don’t completely understand the point of the story. It didn’t go anywhere, so I’m left feeling really underwhelmed.
An adaptation of Nin’s infamous collection of short stories, the erotism gets lost after a couple of episodes and instead focusses on the politics of that time. Instead of these characters finding themselves in a vibrant new world, I don’t feel that any of them got closure.
I haven’t read the book so I don’t know if it’s a good adaptation or not, but there’s no doubt that it only skims the surface of Huxley’s complex ideas. Still, I think The New World is set up well and that the series showcases his imagined utopia brilliantly. I especially like the idea of freedom vs happiness and the series makes you think about what you would do. Would you keep taking the pill and live a luxury life in pretence? Or would you risk going rogue to hold onto your true emotions?
The opening episode of The Third Day is an impressive example of folk-horror. The quality of this single episode alone is better than most TV I have watched this year. It grabbed my attention and chilled me to the bones, and there’s certainly a lot of intrigue that follows. But the atmosphere slowly died down after that, and what we’re left with felt a little confused.
I randomly found this series when it first aired in 2018 and was instantly hooked. It has since become one of my favourite TV shows and I always look forward to what a new episode will bring. But with 28 episodes behind it, I wondered how they could keep up the excitement with a third series. Have they done it all? How will they top the events of the last season? The answer: a tsunami.
As a huge fan of 9-1-1, I was more than happy to have something similar to fill the void. While this spin-off isn’t as fun and the characters aren’t as compelling as its origin show, Lone Star is still a thoroughly entertaining series with more interesting cases and engaging characters, which yet again explores a number of important and relevant topics in an engaging way.
With grotesque murders, disturbing characters, malicious motives, and dark intrigue, it’s certainly a series that will keep you hooked. The cast are all brilliant. Payne leads the show with great energy and has an amazing support from those who play his colleagues and family. And of course, Michael Sheen is brilliant, as always, although I did want to see a lot more of him.
Is this really the first time that Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant have starred in something together? I mean, they’ve certainly made it worth our wait, but I can’t believe that we haven’t seen these iconic actors working together before.
Maybe that’s why so many of us tuned in to watch the premiere of this show. Because with a cast list of this quality, it had to be worth the watch, right? Kidman and Grant certainly don’t disappoint, and with Édgar Ramírez, Donald Sutherland, and a fantastic performance from Noah Jupe, too, the performances are undoubtedly all on top form.
It was sad to see Ardal O’Hanlon depart the series as he really got me into it, but Ralf Little certainly shows a lot of promise by adding a new personality.
I always look forward to an Agatha Christie TV adaptation at Christmas, but I felt that this one was a little underwhelming. Sewell and Scodelario are good, but I wasn’t invested in the mystery.
Following a premise which feels more and more apt in our increasingly backwards world, Noughts + Crosses is an original young adult [sort of] dystopia, exploring an alternative present-day in a way that we haven’t experienced before. As an example of speculative fiction with the reversal of skin colour, it’s a fresh, likeable and contemporary series to get excited about.
The Nest has had me gripped like no other series so far this year. Whilst you know that things aren’t going to go well from the beginning, the dark places that this series goes to are completely unexpected. The story not only shows a more sensitive yearning for a woman’s need to have a child of her own, but also the grittier, more conflicting sides to human nature of how money can make you feel untouchable, how secrets can eat away at you, and the desperate lengths that we go to for the ones we love.
Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh give more great performances and their characters are still incredibly likeable, but this third season just wasn’t as exciting or daring. It was still enjoyable to watch and there are certainly some compelling moments, but I didn’t find myself looking forward to it as I once was. It definitely feels like it’s lost its spark now. Just like Villeneuve, I want out.
I really thought I was going to love this series. I’m a big fan of Alex Garland and this sci-fi heavy series has his vibrant, futuristic aesthetics but hauntingly dark atmosphere written all over it. Garland is undeniably a talented writer, known for his in-depth story-telling. But I couldn’t get into DEVS torturous slow pace or deadpan characters. Its philosophical story is definitely not easy viewing. Although the deeper questions of humanity and its place in the universe leave their mark, I just couldn’t enjoy the journey it took to get there.
Sometimes you find a story that really resonates with you, and for me, that was Normal People. I haven’t been so enticed by two characters in a long time, and I just can’t stop thinking about Marianne and Connell and their story. It’s incredibly moving in its intimate moments but also heart-wrenching in its authenticity. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal who are both absolutely phenomenal.
A gripping thriller with a compelling narrative, strong performances, serious drama and plenty of mystery, you will want to watch this engaging and psychological drama in one sitting. The central premise of two women being willing to do whatever it takes to conceal their truth is powerful and although both women behave wrongly, you can’t help but feel the power of the emotional drive behind their actions.
Harlots is a saucy and lavish period drama that brilliantly depicts the lives that many young girls had to live in the 18th century. Samantha Morton is absolutely fantastic. After watching her in The Walking Dead recently, it’s great to see her in something that I can like her character in, but her presence on screen is just as strong here. Jessica Brown Findlay is brilliant, too. I’ve always liked her as an actress but don’t often relate to her characters, but it’s so easy to enjoy her role in this.
This second season is a brilliant follow up. I didn’t think they could make this any more dramatic but things are getting so interesting! With more murder, sex, rivalry, betrayals, and even a new brothel to contend with, every episode is full of excitement, curiosity and promiscuity, keeping you engaged on every level.
The characters are still having a lot of fun with their roles, the costumes are just as glorious, the sharp dialogue continues to be rebellious, and there’s a huge twist that I definitely wasn’t expecting, either.
Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson both give phenomenal performances and I’m so intrigued to see where this series is going.
Another chilling season that slowly builds up more tension as Stella and Paul’s worlds edge closer and closer. This second season didn’t quite grip me as much as the first season as it’s taking a while to get to where we want it to be, but it’s still fronted by two excellent performances that I can’t take my eyes off.
This final series definitely didn’t go in the direction that I thought it was going to. The heat dies down without the chemistry between Stella and Paul being at the centre of the story, but it’s an interesting angle to take that adds quite a compelling edge. Still, the final moments are so impacting that you’ll not be left disappointed.
Life is a beautifully-written drama that perfectly captures the emotions of real life – the love, the heartache, the fallouts, the friendships, the betrayals, and the simple acts of kindness. We all have good and bad in us and we all make mistakes, and this series shows the emotional rollercoaster of what it is to be human.
White House Farm is the definition of a binge-worthy series, ending every episode on a new twist that has you eagerly waiting for the story to continue. And that’s all down to the brilliant writing, performances, and direction, dramatising the horrifying true story exceptionally well.
Usually, I don’t like to binge-watch a TV series. I much prefer scheduling my week around them and having something to look forward to, rather than getting it all over with in one sitting. However, I didn’t want to wait a whole week to find out what would happen next with this series. The story was retold so well and sensitively that I would have stayed awake until the early hours to find out more.
I was worried that after the last season, Vera was getting close to retirement. But she’s back with full force in this latest season, and Brenda Blethyn doesn’t appear to be giving up on the determined but often outspoken detective yet. Although on its tenth series, Vera still manages to impress, keeping its team of detectives likeable group with the occasional personal touch, and its investigations remain original and surprising. Brenda Blethyn never fails to entertain, and this will always be a series that I look forward to coming back every year.
Excellent performances from a great cast, especially Imelda Staunton, and a brilliant balance of engaging family drama and a curious mystery thriller.
There’s a lot to like about this second season, mostly because it is largely told in flashbacks and gives us some background into both Laura and Andrew’s pasts. I especially enjoyed learning about how Andrew turned into the creep we came to know him as with the introduction of Sam Spruell‘s Oliver, as we needed a reminder of why we wanted him dead with the huge gap in between series, so his story definitely refuels our hate for him. However, I just didn’t like Laura’s character in the end, and quickly grew tired of her whinging.
An easy-going drama that was enjoyable enough for the hour I had spare every week to try a series I wouldn’t normally bother with. With a light thriller going on alongside the family drama, the series certainly takes a unique angle and successfully keeps you interested, although I wouldn’t say it grips you with any intensity. Dawn French and Mark Heap are both very likeable, though, and there are some great supporting characters, too, all with engaging relationships.
The story of Charles Ingram and the suspicious cough is a story that many of us will remember. And before watching this dramatisation of the event, I was convinced that he had cheated. This series might have just convinced me otherwise, though.
Quiz is a darkly funny and sharp retelling of an unbelievable but very British crime that has so much more to it than you would have initially thought. The faces of Charles and Diane Ingram are etched into our brains, as the series works as an investigation into how they could have got away with this crime, ultimately leaving it up to the viewers to decide if we think that they were capable of getting away with it or not.
With excellent writing, the series shows a side to the true story that most of us didn’t know much about. We might have seen the odd news story, but there was definitely a lot more going on than what was reported. It’s hard to believe that all of this happened, but it’s great to see the amazing work that was done by all involved.
It doesn’t exactly instil any fear for what would have been a very fearful time for the people of Salisbury, but it does show the personal effect on those involved, having a genuine human touch to the stories that massively affected the lives of many families.
Another harrowing retelling of a sensitive story. The superb cast tells the heartbreaking story brilliantly, really drawing you into the lives of Rhys’s parents whose lives were changed in the worst possible way. The series is fast-paced but it’s still compelling in its drama. Sinead Keenan and Stephen Graham both give captivating performances, and it’s a story that we should all know the full story about.
I finished watching this series last night after ITV re-aired the series from the very beginning, and I’m still not over that final episode. Even seconds before the reveal, I was saying “No, it won’t be them. It can’t be them.” And then the truth hits you, and it hits you hard.
A raw and heartbreaking murder mystery filled with intrigue, brilliant character development as you get to know every individual character as they all come under question, and excellent writing, Broadchurch is a fully immersive drama that will grip you from the very first episode.
This was a great follow-up season that follows the case that Hardy mentioned in season one, while also focusing on Miller putting herself back together after the shocking revelations that left us so gripped. Despite tragedy in both of their lives, Tennant and Colman maintain a brilliant chemistry in another investing crime story.
This was another hard-hitting story that was yet again brilliantly handled. With plenty of great performances and a number of quality additions to the cast, I especially loved how Beth used her experiences to help others.
Part of ITV’s true-crime series, I’ve seen this series advertised for years, but I didn’t know what the story was about. Not thinking too much into the title, I always assumed that Christopher Jefferies was a serial killer and that the series was an exploration of his crimes, just from Watkin’s appearance alone.
But that’s not the case at all. The series, instead, faces the problem that my prejudices are a part of. Jefferies was vilified by the press because of his eccentric appearance, which led to many turning their backs on him despite his high-class reputation beforehand.
Another interesting true-crime drama from ITV, seeing the story of Fred and Rose West from an unusual point of view, but one that adds so much insight. I didn’t know about Janet Leach before watching this series, but it’s obvious that she played a pivotal role in encouraging Fred West to give details of his crimes, so for that, she undoubtedly deserves her own TV series.
David Tennant gives a chilling but utterly phenomenal performance as the real-life serial killer in this gripping true-crime drama. He paints an excellent portrait of the titular character, from his attitude to his mannerisms, which is supported by a confident script that captures the fascinating truth behind the experiences of those involved in the case.
An intriguing new thriller with a paranormal twist, The Sister may have lost your interest if it were a longer series spread out in weekly episodes, but as a four-part series that was shown throughout a week, the quick pace and decent performances were enough to keep you watching.
With a hard-hitting and devastating first episode, Deadwater Fell is a combination of a mystery thriller with a compelling drama. Full of suspicion and speculation, the series is led by a host of talented actors and asks us to question if things are as simple as they seem.
Whilst there’s only really one suspect from the beginning, we begin watching the series by thinking that it can’t be that obvious. And as Tom’s family life slowly starts to unravel and we begin to see the cracks, more suspects begin to be questioned.
Review to come.
It’s not often that Channel 5 make a series that appeals me, but I like Emmett J Scanlan so I was instantly intrigued. And he’s so good. He’s sexy, mysterious, and very threatening at the same time. Emily Reid is brilliant, too. She plays her character’s vulnerabilities well, confusing audiences as to whether she’s really ill or being manipulated.
From the controversy surrounding The Exorcist, a series of unfortunate events that plagued the cast and crew during the making of The Omen, a series of untimely deaths connected to the making of the Poltergeist films, the death of Brandon Lee due to an on-set accident during the making of The Crow, to a horrific on-set accident during the production of Twilight Zone: The Movie, these are all probably things you have made a swift internet search on after viewing the films.
The Exorcist, The Omen, and Poltergeist, especially, are legendary for their spooky tales, which have almost become folklore because of how their historic stories have spread online. But these films were made before the days of social media, memes, and constant “fake news”, when rumours of a haunted set and an evil curse would have much more easily spread fear. Now that everything is on the internet for all to see forever, sometimes the curse of a film is about something more real than ghosts and witches.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, The Mandalorian is a great spin-off to an immensely entertaining saga. It’s not as much of an epic adventure as the films are, but it’s an action-packed space-western that builds on the universe well.
Telling the story of its titular character and his mission, it’s an interesting chapter that draws you into the world of Star Wars even more. With a similar tone to the original films, it feels like a fresh but welcomed throwback rather than an over-hyped reboot.
I don’t particularly like watching people in pain, but what animals are involved, there’s something very intriguing about how much their bites or stings hurt. Apparently all in the name of science and “to help save lives”, a wildlife biologist and professional animal handler get bit and stung by some of the most dangerous animals and insects in the world to create a complete and comprehensive pain index. It’s intense throughout and stomach-churning at times, but I couldn’t take my eyes off. I really hope there’s another season of this because these guys have definitely caught my attention.
Directed by Niall MacCormick and adapted by Neil Cross from his own novel, Burial, The Sister is a four-part series that aired on ITV in October 2020. It follows the character of Nathan (Russell Tovey) when, almost a decade into his new devoted married life, is rocked to the core when an unwelcome face from the past, Bob (Bertie Carvel), turns up on his doorstep with shocking news.
Originally aired on ITV in 2011, Appropriate Adult is a two-part miniseries that focuses on the way in which the Gloucester serial killers Fred (Dominic West) and Rosemary West (Monica Dolan) were brought to justice in 1994. During his time under police investigation, Fred was granted an appropriate adult, which role was given to housewife Janet Leach (Emily Watson). When she first attends a police interview with Fred, he confesses to killing his daughter. He then privately tells Janet that there were more victims, but appropriate adults cannot share conversations. Janet is given the opportunity to leave the case due to its distressing nature, but she resolves to continue in hopes of finding Fred and Rose’s other victims.
Continue reading “TV Review: Appropriate Adult (ITV) – Miniseries”
Aired in September 2020, ITV’s Des is a three-part miniseries that tells the true story of Dennis Nilsen (David Tennant), the Scottish serial killer who was arrested in 1983. When Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay (Daniel Mays) is called to the leafy North London address, he discovers the drains clogged with rotting flesh and bones. As he waits for Nilsen to return from work, he expects the culprit to deny accountability. But when Nilsen freely admits that it’s not just one or two bodies but “15 or 16”, the police must work quickly to try to secure a conviction and identify the victims, as biographer Brian Masters (Jason Watkins) begins a game of chess with `Des’ in an attempt to understand his motives.
Written by Peter Morgan, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies first aired on ITV in 2014 and is a two-part drama that follows the true story of retired schoolteacher Christopher Jefferies (Jason Watkins), who was questioned by police in 2010 as a suspect in the murder of one of his tenants, Joanna Yeates.
Continue reading “TV Review: The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies (ITV) – Miniseries”
Broadchurch is an ITV series that originally aired from 2013 until 2017. Created by Chris Chibnall, it’s set in the fictional close-knit coastal town of Broadchurch and follows police officer Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) and D.I. Alec Hardy (David Tennant).
Continue reading “TV Review: Broadchurch (ITV) – Season One-Three”
A three-part series created by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson and originally aired in June 2020, The Salisbury Poisonings tells the true story of the 2018 Novichok poisoning crisis in Salisbury, England, and the subsequent death of Dawn Sturgess (MyAnna Buring), highlighting the efforts of DS Nick Bailey (Rafe Spall) and Deputy Director of Population Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, Tracy Daszkiewicz (Anne-Marie Duff).
Continue reading “TV Review: The Salisbury Poisonings (ITV) – Miniseries”
The four-part drama which originally aired in 2017 tells the true story of the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones from Liverpool in 2007. The series follows his parents, Melanie (Sinead Keenan) and Steve (Brían F. O’Byrne), and how Rhys’s murderer and associates were eventually brought to justice with the help of Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly (Stephen Graham).
Continue reading “TV Review: Little Boy Blue (ITV) – Miniseries”
A three-part drama which aired on ITV in April 2020, Quiz tells the story of Charles Ingram (Matthew Macfadyen), a former British army major, who won the jackpot on the quiz show, ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?‘, hosted by Chris Tarrant (Michael Sheen). Written by James Graham, and is based on his play, Quiz, and the book Bad Show: the Quiz, the Cough, the Millionaire Major by Bob Woffinden and James Plaskett, what followed was a criminal trial in which he and his wife (Sian Clifford) were convicted of cheating their way to success.
Created by Harry and Jack Williams, the second season of ITV’s Liar aired in March 2020 and sees Laura Nielson (Joanne Froggatt) accused of the murder of Andrew Earlham (Ioan Gruffudd), a renowned surgeon who she had previously accused of rape, as she once again finds herself drawn into Andrew’s destructive path.
The six-part ITV miniseries White House Farm is a factual drama based on the true story of a fateful night in August 1985 when five members of the same family were murdered at an Essex farmhouse, and the ensuing police investigation and court case that followed.
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Every year, I document every film that I’ve watched and reviewed them all using Letterboxd, and I record and review every book that I’ve read with Goodreads. So, I thought I would start doing the same with what TV series I watch in an attempt to encourage me to start reviewing them more, too.
I haven’t included any competition shows or reality TV shows that I watch, including things like The Apprentice, Masterchef, I’m A Celebrity, Strictly Come Dancing, or Made In Chelsea, but I have included series that I have watched this year to catch up with, which may have been released in a different year.
Here’s a list of the series that I watched in 2019:
Told through Joe’s narration, You is a satire of popular romantic comedies, seeing the typical story of a man trying to win over the girl of his dreams from his point view, as Joe shows that he is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that nothing gets in his way.
Taking invasive and extreme measures to get the girl, Joe shouldn’t be a likeable character. But as disturbing as he is down inside, you can’t help but feel an attraction towards him. It’s wrong, but that’s what makes it oh so exciting.
You can read my full review here.
In the midst of dark thrillers and documentaries about serial killers, Sex Education is a refreshing comedy about a group of 21st-century teenagers.
Secondary school is a testing time, but Sex Education uses these obstacles and challenges in a comedic and sincere way. Things have changed a lot since I was in school, a time when I was outcasted for wearing more black than most and listening to different music, but younger people are a lot more accepting of people’s differing tastes in music, fashion, and sexual partners nowadays.
You can read my full review here.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry for most of it but, despite the mind-boggling circumstances that sees this poor girl taken from her home – twice! – it is still a true story about child kidnapping and sexual abuse. Fair play to this family for admitting to their absolute idiocy for a lot of this, because they do open up to many of their failings that could have prevented much of this from happening, but it is so difficult to get your head around a lot of what happens to feel any pity towards them. However, I do really sympathise with Jan’s naivety, as you really can be forced to believe anything at that age, which I don’t think is something that all viewers will understand.
You can read my full review here.
It didn’t focus on some of the worst things that Bundy did – I was looking for details about the decapitated heads apparently found in his house, comments on him sleeping with bodies long after he had killed them, questions about how he admitted to 30 murders but that they thought it was a lot more. Instead, what we saw was Bundy’s charming persona, his escapes from jail, the way he made police officers believe that he was somebody else entirely – all the kinds of things that you would normally congratulate a man for if he wasn’t brutally killing women in the meantime.
But I suppose that’s what’s so shocking about Bundy, the reasons why not even his wife believed that he had killed anybody. I just think the balance was a little off with this documentary, and it’s no wonder people are coming away from it going “Well, yeah, he was hot!” because it doesn’t leave you with the impact of just how much of a cruel, disgusting monster he was underneath it all.
You can read my full review here.
Review to come.
Although Madeleine went missing over 12 years ago now, her case is still one of the UK’s biggest mysteries, with new suspects still being questioned even today. It’s such a huge case that we all seemed to make our minds up about a long time ago, so I think it’s a very relevant series to remind us of the life of a young girl who may or may not still be out there.
It is an incredibly insightful documentary seen from many different perspectives, showing interviews with many of the people involved, including the former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command, the British businessman who supported the McCanns financially, the McCanns’ former spokesperson, and the former head of the PJ investigation, as well as many other journalists and investigators.
You can read my full review here.
Feeling much closer to the Watchmen series in that these superheroes are a bunch of misfits who haven’t had the best starts in life, who are still messed up and making mistakes, who often act selfishly rather than for the good of others, the series is a lot darker in tone and is more about a family being brought back together than a save the world epidemic. Although, they do have to come together to save the world, in a way.
You can read my full review here.
Based on truth, Dirty John is a thrilling story that combines a crime heightened with abuse, manipulation, and betrayal, with a central family drama about courage, trust, and the strength of a family bond. The family relationships are explored remarkably well as the series explores how one’s desires can cause you to act in the strangest ways and of how easy it is to be blind-sighted by someone so seemingly caring.
You can read my full review here.
Full of his outspoken and often blunt sense of humour, the series is also full of heart. The comedy is certainly dark at times, but the emotion behind it all is just as present. It definitely shows a different side to Gervais, one of aged experience as his character learns to see the positives in the mundane and tedious rituals of the everyday. You will awkwardly laugh and maybe even shed a tear as you watch a character pivot between life and death, who you hope will come out better on the other side.
You can read my full review here.
With a series like Black Mirror, you expect to be thrown in at the deep end with a warning of how technology is advancing, but this is definitely a much more stripped back series. Technology and advances aren’t pushed in your face to make you fearful of the future. Instead, this series uses concepts which we already have – social media platforms, VR gaming, and simple AIs – to show you their everyday dangers (or possible benefits).
You can read my full review here.
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Released 12 years after Grisham’s 2006 book, the 2018 series gives more up to date information on the case and also focuses more on Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, who are still in prison despite their innocent pleas. Even more so, the story works so well on-screen because it puts faces and voices to the names of those involved. The book is quite difficult to get into because there are so many names to try and place that it does get confusing, so it is the perfect book to be adapted. This allows the audience to get to know the men that Grisham detailed in his book much more personally, and as you start to realise that there is no real case or any evidence against them, you can’t help but sympathise with the men involved.
You can read my full review here.
This latest season of Stranger Things is much of what we love about the series as a whole: horror, monsters, a group of young characters on a terrifying adventure but loving every minute of it, adult comedy, plenty of interrogations, battles of wit and nerdiness. Only this time, there’s a whole lot more hormones involved.
Beginning with a great return to the series, the first episode is set a year later as we are reintroduced to the gang after they have all moved on from the events of season two. They’re happy with their less-chaotic lives as, instead of facing supernatural terrors, they begin to experience the emotional rollercoaster of first-time relationships, as we get to see the group soak up all the fun of finally being allowed to act their age for once. Friendships may be tested, but it’s great to get to know the characters better. Especially Eleven, as we are able to see her in a new light, acting like a normal teenager for once.
You can read my full review here.
This season definitely tackles the issue of sexual assault on a much bigger level, exploring the issue of sexual assault in relation to players of college sports much more widely, as it is still a very relevant and widespread topic. It is this issue, after all, what this series stemmed from.
It’s the exploration of this issue that is what’s best about this season. Characters such as Jessica, as well as other victims of sexual abuse, are seen trying to rebuild themselves, trying to not let their pasts define them. And it’s great that this season has allowed time for us to see this development, to not just end on these characters remaining victims, but to see them come out on the other side.
You can read my full review here.
It’s a wonderfully staged documentary as director Ed Perkins allows the two men to share their stories, providing Marcus with a platform to finally tell Alex the truth. Knowing that something harrowing is going to be revealed from the start, its set-up is suspenseful and full of mystery, but at its core is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking story. It’s definitely one that I would struggle to sit through again, but it’s one that I admire Marcus for sharing.
You can read my full review here.
Review to come.
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Whilst I agree with some of the negative points made, I’ve remained very open-minded about the season in that I knew that there were so many ways for the season to conclude, that not every character I liked was going to get the outcome I had hoped for them, and that the over-complicated theories that we’ve been discussing for the past two years were probably too extreme.
The final series does leave a lot left unanswered and some early franchise suggestions are made redundant, but I feel like we, as an audience, pushed for Benioff and Weiss to give us a final season and for them not to drag out it out, to prevent us from growing bored of the series like we have with others. So I don’t hold it against the writers for the season feeling rushed and for it not being as well written as previous seasons. I understand people’s frustrations that it could have been better developed, but it was the viewers who called for a quick wrap up, so it was obvious that everything was going to move at a much quicker pace.
You can read my full review here.
Review to come.
This may not have been the series that we all thought it was going to be; Season Two isn’t a simple drama set in a police station as The Montgomery Five are investigated about their involvement in Perry’s death. Instead, it is a brilliantly well-written exploration into the consequences of keeping secrets. Exploring how one person’s actions can affect relationships between husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, children and their grandparents, and how these behaviours ripple throughout generations, Big Little Lies is a well-rounded series that looks deeply into the effects that Season One had on all of these characters and their families.
You can read my full review here.
A masterfully created series with stunning cinematography, a haunting score, and phenomenal performances from an ensemble cast, Chernobyl is a brilliant dramatisation of a harrowing historical event. It’s a gripping series that largely benefits from its brilliant pacing, not letting the sense of danger and dread fade away as it builds up to a final episode that has a lot to say. Most of all, it’s incredibly insightful that’s polished with historical accuracy, giving tonnes of in-depth detail about a catastrophe that we all know something about. It’s truly eye-opening, relaying the events on the day and the months that followed, all the while exploring the very human side to the story and, subsequently, the cost of ignorance that allowed such an error to occur.
You can read my full review here.
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Season Five of Line of Duty may not be as gritty or gripping as its previous seasons, but it’s what they’ve been leading up to. Who is H? And can we trust Hastings?
Becoming the highest-rated drama of the year so far, this season enables us to see an AC-12 investigation from the side of the criminals. With even more twists and turns, undercover cops, bent coppers and shock revelations than ever before, it’s no wonder that this has become one of the UK’s best series.
You can read my full review here.
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You start off watching this thinking, “It’s great to see a documentary looking at a rape case from the other point of view for a change,” because false allegations do happen a lot and they can ruin people’s lives, just as much as a proven case can.
But both sides of the case open up the same issues. It becomes a test of personality as to whether you believe and trust somebody since there is often nothing else to rely on. And that’s the problem with Saif Khan. I wanted to trust him and to believe in his courageous honesty. But, innocent until proven guilty and all that, you know that there’s something dodgy about him. He’s cocky and completely unsympathetic, so it’s no surprise that it doesn’t all add up about his recollection of the date when it all comes down to the facts.
You can read my full review here.
Review to come.
Set in a dystopian near-future, it is an incredibly relevant series. We’re worried about the leaders who are currently in charge of the world, we’re worried about the UK’s place within it, and we’re worried about a future that seems all too inevitable – politically, environmentally, and self-destructively. What Years and Years does is to speculate on how bad things could get when we elect people who put their egos first. It presents us with plausible insights into a state that we are heading towards, with more advanced and intrusive technologies, outspoken and reckless leaders with ulterior motives, and stricter laws on immigration.
You can read my full review here.
A great follow-up to an impressive first season with just as many twists and turns and an equal measure of shocking violence balanced perfectly with comedy and a prominent seductive tension in the air. Although Phoebe Waller-Bridge, head writer on the first season, has taken a step back, there’s still some great writing in this series with many standout lines of dialogue. Eve and Villanelle’s chemistry is what will keep you engaged in this tense cat and mouse chase, but it’s certainly a culture-filled adventure worth keeping up with.
You can read my full review here.
The Capture is one of those series where you know that something much bigger and complex is going on from the very beginning, so you’re constantly waiting for something to catch you out as soon as something seemingly straightforward starts to unravel. With The Capture, the premise around military equipment and technology also means that it’s not going to be an easy plot to follow or predict, so it is a series that you have to take your time with and allow yourself to feel overcome with information before it starts to piece together in your head.
You can read my full review here.
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The story of Stephen Fulcher is a remarkable one. He is the kind of detective that we would all want to be leading a case if it involved somebody that we personally knew. Yet to see the way that Fulcher’s actions were criticised and used against him is incredibly eye-opening.
This is not only a great series because it gives us an insight into a deeply saddening true story, but also because it brings to light the changes that need to be made in the judicial system and the profound questions that need to be asked when the police are found at such a life or death crossroad.
You can read my full review here.
Review to come.
Combining archival footage, re-enacted scenes, and present-day interviews, I love the way this story played out and how the documentary was edited together. It really got you interested in this story and makes it look fun. And then BAM! The constant revelations about a story that’s almost impossible to believe start rolling in.
The real deal-breaker is how poorly the scientific study was put together and that nothing has come off it. It’s said that the study was done as part of an undisclosed scientific “nature versus nurture” twin study, to track the development of genetically identical siblings raised in differing circumstances. But the documentary questions some doubts about the subject and asks whether the scientists were actually looking into how mental illnesses can run in a family.
You can read my full review here.
This documentary hits hard with me but I will try to hold back my anger and disgust and justify my opinions a little. I also know that many people still believe that he is an innocent man and that there’s a lot of controversy around these men’s testimonies, so it’s a difficult documentary to review when there’s still so much discussion going on about the credibility of it.
So all I was say is this: Whether you believe that these men were sexually abused or not, Michael Jackson’s behaviour – the behaviour is proven and not in any doubt – was completely inappropriate as it was. I can’t understand why it wasn’t questioned why he had a new little boy to hang around with every year or so and that he was allowed to stay with them unsupervised. Whether things went any further than them only sleeping in his bed or not, Michael Jackson definitely had a lot of issues.
You can read my full review here.
Exploring themes of violence, abuse, addiction, exploitation and revenge, The Virtues is a hard-hitting but compassionate drama that you will be thinking about long after watching.
A real slow burner, it takes a while to get into as there are many scenes of Graham drinking, burping, and just generally struggling through the day, so it’s difficult to get invested straight away. But you know that the series is building up to a big revelation, and you know that Joseph has buried something that is absolutely going to rip him apart when he finally confronts it.
You can read my full review here.
The latest season of The Handmaid’s Tale really emphasises the fear of living in a totalitarian society and shows hope of June fighting at the forefront of a revolution, but it goes back and forth too often to really show any progression. By the end of this third season, her efforts have barely made a dent. That is until the final episode when the series really gets back to its roots, but is it all too late?
On a whole, I feel like the season is lost in its direction, especially with its relationship to Margaret Atwood’s novel which the series has long surpassed. There are certainly many moments of greatness weaved in and out, but any time that the season shows any glimpse of hope, the next episode unwrites any development that it has built up to.
You can read my full review here.
Review to come.
Heavily influenced by classic horror films such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween, AHS 1984 begins as a homage to the slasher genre and relies on the cliche horror tropes and stereotypes that we are used to seeing to brings together their best qualities and build on them with a fresh approach.
It does move away from this basic premise eventually, giving more twists than probably all of the previous seasons combined. But with so much going on, it’s hard to appreciate the depth to it at the time of watching. When you look back on the series, the quality of the writing and complexity is definitely all there, it’s just not so obvious when there are so many characters and timelines to piece together
A Confession is a six-part drama on ITV which follows the true story of DS Stephen Fulcher (Martin Freeman) and his hunt for missing 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan (Florence Howard) which took place in 2011. Fulcher intends on catching the killer even if it costs him his career and reputation. But whilst his actions ultimately lead to the arrest of prolific serial killer Christopher Halliwell (Joe Absolom), much to the relief of two grieving mothers, Elaine Pickford (Siobhan Finneran) and Karen Edwards (Imelda Staunton), a loophole in the system soon sees the subsequent downfall of his career.
Continue reading “TV Review: A Confession (ITV) – Miniseries”
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