Keeping Faith – Part of a Golden Age for Welsh TV Drama?

Having just watched the final episode of Keeping Faith on BBC Wales, I’m asking myself: Is this a golden age for Welsh television drama? Hinterland was critically-acclaimed. Bang featured in the national press. Gwaith/Cartref continues to be a marker for quality Welsh-language drama. Parch has just entered its third series. And Craith will be broadcastContinue reading “Keeping Faith – Part of a Golden Age for Welsh TV Drama?”

Hold the Sunset – Raising a Smile, but not a Laugh

It seems that most new sitcoms should be given time to grow. Look back at early episodes of Blackadder and Dad’s Army for instance, and they don’t really compare to later series. Sometimes, it takes a while for the cast to gel, the writers to really know their characters, and the public to really takeContinue reading “Hold the Sunset – Raising a Smile, but not a Laugh”

Christmas & New Year TV & Radio Highlights 2017

So, 2018 has finally arrived! And on this 2nd day in January, I thought I’d pick out a few personal highlights from the Christmas & New Year TV & Radio schedule that’s just gone. Here’s some of my favourites: Mary Berry’s Christmas Party (BBC1) This was a great way to warm up for Christmas. NotContinue reading “Christmas & New Year TV & Radio Highlights 2017”

Broken – BBC Series Review

Father Michael Kerrigan is the latest name to add to the growing pantheon of priests appearing on our television screens in recent years. Following in the footsteps of Tom Hollander (Rev), James Norton (Grantchester) and Mark Williams (Father Brown) is another acting heavyweight, Sean Bean. Bean takes the lead role in writer Jimmy McGovern’s latestContinue reading “Broken – BBC Series Review”

Fearless – A British Homeland?

Writer Patrick Harbinson has left Stateside to come and create a brand-new thriller for ITV. Fearless features Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, Penny Dreadful) as a human rights lawyer who sets out to prove the innocence of convicted killer Kevin Russell (Sam Swainsbury). But as she attempts to re-open up his case, it appears that thereContinue reading “Fearless – A British Homeland?”

Grantchester and The Rise of the TV Vicar

As Grantchester prepares to get underway with its third series on ITV, I felt it would be a good time to reflect on the recent surge in clerical figures appearing on our television screens. Whether in comedy, drama, or documentary, the rise of the TV vicar is very exciting on a personal level. But itContinue reading “Grantchester and The Rise of the TV Vicar”

The Good, The Bad, and The Nuns

As someone who has a keen interest in the portrayal of clerical characters on screen, it has been intriguing to note the gradual rise of nuns onto both the small and big screens in recent times. My most recent trip to the cinema got me thinking about this. It wasn’t something I was expecting fromContinue reading “The Good, The Bad, and The Nuns”

Born to Kill – Disturbingly Promising Drama

Born to Kill is Channel 4’s new psychological thriller. And boy, is it a disturbing one too. The climax to this debut episode was shocking, so much so that I had to look away. And even then, I felt sick afterwards. But this goes to prove the emotional power of this drama. It is notContinue reading “Born to Kill – Disturbingly Promising Drama”

The Replacement – BBC One

The BBC1 drama The Replacement can be summed up in three words: gripping and tense. Writer and Director Joe Ahearne has created a simmering pot of suspicion that makes for a fabulously enjoyable three hours of television. It weaves a fantastic web of intrigue and doubt as pregnant mum Ellen (played by Morven Christie) suspectsContinue reading “The Replacement – BBC One”

Broadchurch – Back to its best

In this age of fake news and alternative facts, I have decided that I’m going to pedal one of my own: Broadchurch has returned to ITV after four years with a second series. Yes, DI’s David Tennant and Olivia Colman are respectively donning their beard and anorak again to solve another crime in the smallContinue reading “Broadchurch – Back to its best”