There is a moment during the final episode of BBC1 drama The Pact when its writer, Pete McTighe, attempts to deconstruct the truth. Julie Hesmondhalgh’s character Nancy, one of the four women caught up at the centre of a murder investigation, begins a Shakespearean dialogue with her priest (Mark Lewis-Jones), telling him that we all … More The Pact – BBC
The recent S4C series Fflam was a slow-burner. I came to it with much intrigue and anticipation given the concept and acting talent. The idea of a woman, Noni, seeing her dead husband, Tim, again, after years believing he had died in a fire, sounded like the perfect spark from which to ignite a gripping … More Fflam – S4C
Don’t get me wrong. The first two episodes of Normal People were beautifully-crafted, and I am looking forward to watching the rest of the series. From this initial glimpse, I can see why it has received such high praise from critics and viewers alike. Whilst this show has been taking all the plaudits however, another … More In My Skin – BBC3 Series Review
Continuing this series for Get the Chance, here I select my top five Welsh TV dramas of the last decade. They are not necessarily chosen on the basis of popular appeal or critical acclaim. Instead, this is a personal list from which you are free to agree or disagree entirely. Let me know your thoughts… … More My Top 5 Showcase: Welsh TV Drama 2010-2019
Writer Siwan Jones blends social realism and surrealist comedy in the most delightful way in Enid a Lucy. The S4C mini-series, which came to a rather abrupt end on Sunday night, made for an entertaining and enjoyable drama. Termed the ‘Welsh Thelma and Louise’ by some news outlets prior to broadcast, Eiry Thomas and Mabli … More Enid a Lucy – S4C
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 broadcast … More Keeping Faith – Part of a Golden Age for Welsh TV Drama?
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 take … More Hold the Sunset – Raising a Smile, but not a Laugh
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 latest … More Broken – BBC Series Review
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 there … More Fearless – A British Homeland?
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 it … More Grantchester and The Rise of the TV Vicar
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