Pizza the dramatic action




Traditionally, to start the year, I like to compile my Top10 films of the past year. But sadly this year has seen us fall completely out of the habit of cinema going, with covid cautiousness the main culprit. So, to satisfy my list obsessions, I offer you my Top10 tv dramas instead.

1. This Is Going to Hurt (BBC1)  Ben Whishaw must be up for awards in this terrific adaption of Adam Kay’s book. Full of black humour, but moving and always  unflinchingly realistic - loved it!
2. Better Things. (BBC2). Final series - each 30 min episode life affirming in its own unique way. The way it moves so deftly between bittersweet, funny and tear jerking means I’ll miss it lots.
3. The Responder (BBC1). Gritty realism and dark humour. Martin Freeman as a cop with dubious morals and Ian Harte as an authentic Scouse gangster are superb.

4. The English. (BBC2).Brutal and beautiful in equal measure. The most cinematic work on the list…Emily Blunt is excellent.
5. Somewhere Boy (C4). Extraordinary and emotionally complex drama. Abusive father/son relationship balanced by the awkward and unlikely friendship that develops between Danny (Lewis Gribben) and his cousin Aaron (Sam Bottomley) - both brilliant performances.
6. Navalny (BBC2). Bit of a cheat as it’s a documentary rather than a drama. But it plays out like the best espionage thriller, and Navalny’s phone call to his would be poisoner is a standout tv moment.
7. Sherwood (BBC1) This drama about the divisions that continue to haunt a city decades after the miner’s strike, was also a gripping thriller. Effective combination of pacy crime drama and social commentary.
8. The Walk In (ITV). Disturbing (based on true life) account of how the lonely/ disenfranchised can be taken in by fascism.
9. Ozark (Netflix). Final series saw the Byrde’s continuing descent into the murky depths of criminality. Laura Linney’s standout Lady Macbeth like performance always kept things interesting.
10. SAS: Rogue Heroes (BBC1). Thrilling, witty and very confident adaptation of Ben McIntyres book. The three leads are great with their complete disdain for authority and enjoyably outrageous behaviour.

Honourable mentions:
This Is Us (Amazon). Last series - Emotionally manipulative but usually had me choked up before the end of each episode.
Anne (ITV) - Maxine Peake is memorable in this harrowing account of a mother’s fight for Hillsborough justice.

Best wishes to all for the new year.

Sent from my iPad