This is a stunning ITV adaptation of the 1969 Andrea Newman novel about a family torn apart by deceit. The 1976 series was immensely successful – but although I haven’t seen all of it, I doubt that it has the timelessness to survive. Some series should never be re-made, like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or Brideshead Revisited, but this tale needed re-telling.
The heart shredding, subtly played out thriller-drama revolves around daughter Prue (the incredibly talented Imogen Poots), her questionable lover Gavin (Tom Riley) and Prue’s father Peter (Trevor Eve) who has a problem with the lad from the start. Mother Cassandra (Hermione Norris) doesn’t, which gets her thrown into situations beyond her control. Father and daughter have an intense and loving relationship which is naturally disrupted by the newcomer – but is daddy overreacting, or is he actually right about Gavin? The story in itself is incredibly strong, but much credit goes to the creators and the actors for never making any of it soppy, melodramatic or overstated.The cast is so well balanced – Gavin being just charming and attractive enough to get away with what he does, and Prue smart and mature yet impressionable.
Without wanting to give away anything to ruin your experience I can say that this is a true tribute to good drama. Absolutely baffling, confounding, amazing and enjoyable.
