Playing Nice (2025) Review

Yesterday, all four episodes for ITV's new dramatic show Playing Nice was released and I found the time to watch all of the episodes and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth and now both couples attempt to get the most out of the situation. 

Main Character

James Norton plays Pete Riley and he is okay in the show. It is clear that Norton is a good actor and we have seen that in previous projects and he really is trying and committed here. But this show makes his character pretty unlikeable and irresponsible. The things that his character does makes little sense and even though we are meant to be rooting for him, I really struggled to do so. 

Supporting Characters

Niamh Alger plays Maddie Wilson and she is good in the show. It feels like she should have been the main character and towards the end of the show they kind of start pivoting towards this. Don't get me wrong, the writing isn't the best for the character but Alger does good enough to rise above it. 

James McArdle plays Miles Lambert and he is a fun part of the show. He is really over the top but the fact that he realises it makes him entertaining. But the writing for his character falls off a cliff towards the end and I think the show missed the shot in making him an interesting character. 

Jessica Brown Findlay plays Lucy Lambert and I really didn't care about her character as the show didn't do enough to make me care. She is very quiet and underdeveloped until it is rushed to give her a character towards the end of the show. 

Story

The story is somewhat interesting. Seeing these people dealing with this situation is interesting and the way that both couples try and manipulate each other to get custody of the two children. However, there are no likeable characters here and to be honest both couples are bad parents and it really makes me not root for anybody. It ends up heading into soap opera territory and certain things really don't matter and the ending is too clean and generic for my liking. 

Script  

The script isn't great, in fact I think the writing for the show is easily the biggest let down here. The story is rushed and none of the characters are written well with a lacklustre ending. 

Style

The style of the show does a good job of setting the backdrop in Cornwall and kind of tries to use the setting as a bit of a character and that does work. But the pacing of the show is all over the place, so much is thrown at you that very little of it actually sticks. It could have done with more episodes or cutting some elements of the story to make it a better experience. 

Overall

Overall, Playing Nice is a below average show that is pretty disappointing. It's only 4 episodes so is a pretty quick watch but I think there are better shows then this that you can spend your time on. 

Rating - 4/10

The Bay Season 3 (2022) Review

I enjoyed the first two seasons of The Bay and now a 3rd season has come out. I have watched all of the 6 episodes and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a new FLO come to Morecombe, on her first day she is assigned to a family where a death has occurred. 

Main Character

So Morven Christie decided not to reprise her role as Lisa Armstrong for the third season which means we have a new lead character. Marsha Thomason plays Jen Townsend and she is an okay main character, she is effective in the police officer role and feels like a natural fit to the show. The issue is that she just isn't that interesting of a character, she is pretty basic and there was nothing really to grasp onto unlike the previous lead character which is a shame. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Ryan is back as the head of the task force and he is so good in this role, it just feels like a real natural fit for him. The show focuses less on his personal life and I was happy to see that and it allowed him to be really great in his role. The cast from the previous seasons get more to do which is nice to see and it was cool seeing them doing some more police work. Actors such as Mark Stanley and Gary Lewis are introduced and by having that little bit of star power it adds to the overall feel of the product. I also found the victims family more interesting this season as there is plenty going on there and the show does its best to try and keep them all relevant. 

Story 

The story is interesting, it moves at a good pace and has plenty of twists and turns. I cared about the situation and I was interested throughout. But the show has a bit too much going on that could be seen as a bit unbelievable, also the show leaves plenty of the story unresolved so unless they are going to do a season 4 it makes me wonder what happened to certain characters.  

Script

The script is pretty heavy and it does a good job of keeping you watching from episode to episode. You will get drawn into the investigation and wonder who is exactly responsible for the criminal act that has been committed. But it also feels like this show struggles with displaying anything but grief, it is so heavy that it makes it feel really dramatic and it never really relents on. 

Style 

The show is paced well and flows naturally with twists that are effective in the way the show tells its story. In this show I have always felt like Morecombe and The Bay are like a character and it is encapsulated well here showing the good and bad of the place that this show resides. It doesn't drag on and I am glad for that. 

Overall

Overall, another solid season of The Bay. It may not be the best crime show out there but The Bay is an enjoyable watch and I think if you like crime shows then this is another decent one to watch. 

Rating - 7/10

The Bay Season 2 (2021) Review

After watching the first season I decided why not get on and watch the second season of The Bay and I have now done that and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees after her suspension Lisa is given a second chance when she is bought onto a murder investigation. 

Main Character

Morven Christie is back as Lisa and I think she is even better this season and does a great job in this role. You see how the events of last season have really affected her and have changed her mindset but she is still incredibly capable and clearly one of the best people for the job. There are a lot of cogs going on with her character this season and honestly they don't all work for me but she deals with them really well and gives a strong performance to boost the credibility of the show. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Ryan is back as her boss and he is really good, again I wasn't a huge fan of his personal story arc but there is no denying that he gives a great performance and delivers a really good performance. James Cosmo plays a member of the family of the victim and he is also very good and adds a physical presence to the show and a real big character to the show. In fact all of the victims family are really good and bring something different that doesn't make them feel like the family from the first season. Also I didn't mention him in the first season review but Taheen Modak as Med is really good and the dynamic between his character and Lisa is a highlight and I like how it has developed from the first season. But then we get onto the weak performances and once again they are the same as last season, Christie's characters kids, wow they are so bad and they offer nothing to this show, I kind of wish this season had just ignored them or used them more sparingly but I actually think there here more and it really drags the show down and the family drama is my least favourite part of the show. 

Story

The main police story is actually pretty good and what it does really well is feel very different to the story of the first season. The cases are very different and this one feels more progressive with lots of twists and turns and credit has to go to that and I felt like the eventual twist was better then the first seasons even though it could have been better. But then the show gets bogged down in these sub plot family dramas and they really don't work and did very little for me, I would have happily watched more of the investigation and got rid of all of that. Also at the end it feels like some things haven't been resolved and I don't know if that is to set up a third season but it comes across as a bit sloppy. 

Script

The script is good, I would say better then the first season. The important characters are well written and the twists and turns are more interesting with some shocking revelations that do their job well. There is some good drama and little bits of humour that compliment well for the tone of the show. 

Style

The show is effective in the story it is trying to tell using this setting that is unique and we don't see too often, this show does a great job of showcasing Morecambe in all of its glory. Also credit to the sound people, the score has always been great but I thought I would mention it here as again I don't feel like I gave it enough credit in the first season. But the pacing of the show is worse here and I think that is due to the larger impact the sub plots take on the show, either they should have been cut down or there should have been fewer episodes with them completely out. 

Overall

Overall, this is another good season of The Bay and a show that is solid, there has been no update of a third season but if you have the time and like crime shows then this one is worth a watch. 

Rating - 7/10

The Bay Season 1 (2019) Review 

So the second season of ITV's The Bay has recently hit TV but I haven't watched the first season so I decided to watch it and here is my review for the first season of The Bay. The premise of the season sees two teenagers disappear and a detective goes on the hunt but she might have more connection to the case then she first knew. 

Main Character

Morven Christie plays the lead role and she is really good here and delivers a really strong lead performance. She fills the detective role really well and she is just really good in her job and the personal stuff is well done too, you see how dedicated to this case she becomes and how it affects her in more ways then one and this show creates an interesting character that we as a viewer will care about. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Ryan plays her boss and he is also great here, their dynamic is really good and I like how he handles the case and is really strong as the lead of the investigation. The family of the kids that go missing are also good in their roles, they could be just the boring family victims but they aren't, they have their own story arcs and they are really good and add plenty to the show. But there are a few characters that fall weak for me and they are mainly the two kids of Christie's character. They are so annoying to watch and their whole characters don't play an important part of the show and the question has to be why are they even here and it is really frustrating. 

Story

The story is interesting as you see these detectives try and find these teenagers and the usual twists and turns take place as you would expect and some of them work for sure to keep you interested. But there are also things that feel underdeveloped like those two kids and the show tries to make it all connect but it feels forced and by the end of the show it feels forced and like just a way to make the dull parts of the show be a part of the main plot. 

Script 

The script is fine, there are some good dramatic moments here and the characters are pretty well written for the most part, the twists and turns also mostly work. But this show really falls flat with its final reveal and it feels like they weren't sure what they wanted to do so they went with an absurd ending that feels really out of left field. 

Style 

The style of the show is good, it is pretty brutal and just feels very real which is one of the best things I can say about the show, the pacing of the show pretty good too with six episodes feeling like a good length for the season.  

Overall

Overall, this is a good show that continues ITV's hot streak of police dramas. If you like these types of shows then The Bay could be another one for the list. 

Rating - 7/10

The Pembrokeshire Murders Mini Series (2021) Review

It seems lately that ITV have done a good job in adapting true stories to mini series, with Quiz and Des last year both being great. To start 2021 it is the turn of The Pembrokeshire Murders and here is my review of the three episodes. The premise of the show sees a detective reopen two murder cases from the 1980's and tries to use more modern methods to get a conviction. 

Main Character 

Luke Evans plays the lead character here and he is really good. He plays the main detective and you see his passion and desire to get this case over the line. He does a great job of selling how important this case is and how it truly matters if they succeed. He is likeable here too and you really care about him and want to see him get what he wants in terms of getting justice for families. 

Supporting Characters

Keith Allen plays John Cooper the main suspect and he does a great job. He just fits this role really well and it just seems very natural to him, as the show goes on he really changes as a character and you see just how capable he is and how he is a truly terrible person. There is quite a large cast here and I thought they all did great jobs, whether it was the police officers, Cooper's family or others this show is very well acted. 

Story 

The story is good, it is interesting to see these detectives going after John Cooper, it is different to most cop shows as it shows most of the behind the scenes things and not chases and gun fights which was something really different. The show builds well and the majority of the story arcs work and make you care and invested in the plot. But my one criticism of the plot is the very ending, it ends very abruptly and unsatisfying leaving me wanting a bit more to really find out what happened to the characters I grew to care about. 

Script

The script is very good, it doesn't overcomplicate things when it very easily could and lays the drama on and does it effectively. It also has a few moments of decent humour and this show builds up an interesting group of characters to care about and get invested in. 

Style 

The style of the show is good, it kept me interested for the 3 episodes and there were some pretty intense scenes especially in the interrogation scenes that were really effective in what they did. But the show is pretty slow paced, it isn't a huge issue but it is there and maybe it could have moved a little bit quicker at times for my liking. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great show that delivers it's story well. If you like your true story dramas then give this one a watch as it is worth the time. 

Rating - 8/10

 Des (2020) Mini Series Review

So this show has taken over The UK this week and I have just watched the three part mini series called Des and here is my review for it. The premise of the show is based on the true story of a serial killer who is arrested when human remains are found in his drains. 

Main Character

David Tennant plays Des and just give this guy all the awards now as he is truly amazing here. He totally throws himself into this performance and it comes across as chilling and mesmerizing, you just can't take your eyes off of him and are super interesting. When telling a real story about a serial killer there is a line that needs to be kept, you don't want to make him too fascinating and you don't want to make him too boring and Tennant nails this. He just seems so normal and that is what makes it so creepy and it really leads to this incredibly memorable performance. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Mays has had an interesting 2020 from Code 4040 to White Lines to his role as the main police officer in this show and he is fantastic here. He is so good that I actually wasn't sure he was capable of this performance he is that good here, he gives a very dramatic performance and seeing this guy tracking the case makes you want to root for him and see him succeed. Jason Watkins who is a big British actor plays Des' biographer and he is very good too, his relationship with Des is really interesting to watch. It is very unnerving and disturbing but you see how they need each other and it brings out the interesting part of Des's story that the other police officers can't get. The rest of the cast are also great, it's full of great British talent that will hopefully have a long future and get more great work like this.  

Story

The story is really interesting, this is based on a true story which is what really makes this horrific but for me it is the fact that Des doesn't stand out particularly, he seems a normal guy who was pretty intelligent but he was capable of true horrors. The investigation is gripping and intense, mix that with the interesting scenes with the biographer it feels like a complex story that we are seeing from different angles. Also the courtroom scenes in the final episode are a highlight keeping you on your toes throughout.  

Script

The script is great, there are twists and turns throughout and it keeps you interested throughout. The characters are written in a complex manner and the debates are really interesting which culmiate in some intense scenes. It just comes across as a really clever show that does a good job in adding the intrigue and tension. 

Style

The style is gripping and tense, some people might call it slow at times but I never felt that. It dragged me in and made me really interested and wanting to see this guy get taken down while learning more about him. This show also knew that 3 episodes was enough and the fact that it is shorter in length works and means there is very little downtime on the show. 

Overall

Overall, this is just one of those shows that sucked me in and had me fascinated, it is one of the best of the year and if you are a fan of intense stories based on true events then you owe it to yourself to watch this one, and once again David Tenant is amazing here.  

Rating - 10/10

 Psychopath with Piers Morgan (2019) Review

I have seen that plenty of people have been catching up with this documentary so I thought I would give a watch of the TV Film from last year Psychopath with Piers Morgan. The premise of the documentary sees Morgan meet a man who is believed to be a Psychopath and find out more about him. 

First onto Piers Morgan and I am not a huge fan of this guy, I usually find him arrogant and obnoxious but fair play to him I thought he did a really good job as the interviewer. He asks tough questions and you can tell that he is trying to keep up with his subject and it is an interesting watch. 

This guy he is interviewing called Paris Bennett is a very complex individual, he committed a horrendous act when he was younger and it interesting to see a glimpse of how his mind works and how he justifies and attempts to connect his ideals with Piers Morgan.  

You also feel sorry for his mother, who is watching the interview, you can tell how much the whole situation has affected her and how she really struggles in dealing with her sons issues. But then you get to the investigators who feel campy and over the top, they feel like they have to make a big song and dance about everything like they know that they are on TV. 

The issue is here is that we only get 45 minutes of programming here and the majority is just the interview between Morgan and Bennett, which is interesting enough but it feels like there is so much more that could be done here. This could have been a mini series focusing on more of Bennett's personality and really analysing his psychotic tendencies, it just leaves you wanting to know more and feeling like you didn't get enough information. 

Overall, this film has an interesting idea and seeing this interview is quite compelling but it feels like it short changes you and that there is a bigger story to tell which leaves it an okay but unsatisfying experience. 

Rating - 5/10 

Quiz (2020) Mini Series Review

Quiz (2020) Mini Series Review 

 Over the last few days here in the UK the big new thing has been this three episode long mini series called Quiz, I waited and watched them all at once and here is my review for the show. The premise of the show is based on true events where a Army Major was accused of cheating and stealing 1Million Pounds from the popular quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. 

Main Character

Matthew Macfadyen plays Army Major Chris Ingram on this show and I thought he did a great job in the role. At first you see quite a timid every day man who is very well respected and honourable but as the show goes on you can see him gaining confidence in himself and really standing up for himself in the wake of the accusations. You also see a different persona when he appears on the quiz show itself as he really plays to the cameras and nails the entertainment side of the game, you aren't sure whether to root for him but he comes across as pretty likeable so it makes it a tough moral dilemma. 

Supporting Characters

Okay, lets get to the performance that everybody is talking about and that is Michael Sheen as host Chris Tarrant and I swear to you this is a truly memorable performance. Sheen nails Tarrant's mannerisms and likeness so well it is uncanny. I literally cannot imagine anybody else in the world who could have done as good a job in this role as Sheen does he truly does a special job and it adds legitimacy to the show. Sian Clifford plays Diana Ingram and honestly this show really makes her out to be the villain of this show, it seems you aren't meant to root for her and her obsession with winning is what causes this whole incident. She does a good job in her role, though I am not sure the real life person would be particularly happy with her depiction. Mark Bonnar plays the head of who wants to be a millionaire and I thought he did a great job, you see the events through a different point of view with his character and you do care about him and see the damage the other characters have done to him personally and professionally.

Story

The story is pretty absurd when you think about it but it is interesting in seeing these people attempt to get away with this act of deception. I have mentioned before how much I love courtoom scenes and this show nails it's courtroom scenes, the drama is executed greatly whether in these courtroom scenes or the quiz itself. My one complaint is that there are some story arcs that I felt could have been eliminated as they don't really play into the main plot and feel very tacked on.

Script

The script is very good, the drama is well executed and it makes you sympathise for the characters and interested in the situation. The humour when used actually works and helps make the characters feel like real people which helps when your show is based on true events.

Style

As mentioned the show really nails its style when it comes to the courtroom scenes and the brilliantly tense quiz scene. However, I felt like the show should have started with the quiz and we learn about the situation and the background of the characters after, as the show has a very slow start and it takes a bit of time to really get going. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great mini series that being short is an easy watch and it is an interesting story that has added layers as it happened and is still talked about today.

Rating - 8/10

  

White House Farm (2020) Mini Series Review

White House Farm (2020) Mini Series Review

 This show is based on a real life tragic story and looked interesting so I have now watched the mini series of White House Farm and this is my review of it. The premise of the show sees a family all murdered except the Son, it seems like a clear cut case but not is all that it seems. 

Main Character

Freddie Fox plays Jeffrey Bamber the Son who survives the incident and he is great in this show. You are meant to feel uneasy about his character and he is slimy enough for you really not to like him. However, his performance is so good that you aren't sure if he is genuine or whether he is putting on an act and it keeps you guessing. 

Supporting Characters

Everybody does a great job in this show, Mark Addy who played Robert Baratheon on Game Of Thrones is the one detective who thinks there is more to the case then meets the eye. He is the character we are really meant to root for on the show and he does a great job at doing that as ou really support him in the role and want to see him be right about his suspiscions. His clashes with Stephen Graham are some of the most entertaining and dramatic scenes in the whole show, Graham is the detective who thinks the case is open and shut. You see both these characters point of view and even though you are meant to root for Addy you see Grahams point of view and that is what makes there clashes so interesting. Alexa Davies, Gemma Whelan & Mark Stanley are all great on the show and really do great jobs in there roles and add quite a bit to the roles to make them not 1 dimensional characters.

Story

The story is interesting as I like how the investigation is handled and how different evidence comes to light over time in different circumstances. The last couple of episodes hit some really high heights as the investigation comes to its climax, but I must admit I found this show a bit predictable. Obviously, this show is based on real life events so you can't change much up but I kind of guessed how it was going even without knowing about the backstory. Also there are some elements of the story that felt a bit tacked on such as Alfie Allen's character as that really doesn't go anywhere. 

Script

The script is really good, the dramatic dialogue really provides some heated moments and great clashes, obviously because of the subject matter there isn't much humour but it feels appropriate to the show and it really nails the darker more intense feeling that the show should have. 

Style

The style of the show has a really deliberate pacing about it, it doesn't come across as slow and keeps you interested throughout as you really want to know what is exactly going on and just how they are going to find out the information is required. Seeing the different reactions of the characters to the murders is fascinating to watch and it really brings out the different feelings between the people involved with the incident.

Overall

Overall this is a fantastic dramatic show, if you want an intense more deep mini series then this is a show that could be right up your ally. 

Rating - 9/10