Maryland

Excellent acting from this mainly Northern British cast.

Unfortunately, it seems the reviewers who left low marks either didn't watch all episodes - as some admitted - or just didn't understand what it was about.

It's about Family, death, grieving, secrets, but mostly how the human mind can be selfish, feels unloved or unwanted - where it is quite often the opposite Mostly it's about how different people brought up in similar circumstances can want different things, different lives and different outcomes and how some go for it and some stick with what they think is "right", even when they are not sure themselves.

It's about loneliness when you're have people around you as well as when you are on your own - and how some of us are happy with being in that situation and some are not This drama is much deeper than it first appears and needs watching again if you didn't get it first time!

Maryland looks at two estranged sisters drawn together by a family tragedy which exposes uncomfortable secrets they have to deal with.

Plus points were the sisters played by Suranne Jones and Eve Best who played the sibling rivals beautifully. Negatives for me were in the storyline which sometimes didn't quite add up for me.

Production values were fine and I enjoyed the beautiful Irish scenery (though it was set in the Isle of Man it was shot in Ireland). Personally the story didn't grab me and hold me, but if you like the principals give it a shot, its a quick watch with just three episodes.

Probably not one that will stay long in the memory but a fairly interesting family drama that examines grief and deception and what they can do to families.

A quiet, contemplative, endearing little ITV drama - definitely a slow burn - effectively capturing the rawness of grief in the wake of someone's unexpected passing.

Eve Best & Suranne Jones deliver understated, powerhouse performances in the two lead roles, playing flawed sisters with an unhealthy sibling rivalry (who barely remain in contact under usual circumstances) & therefore, the fairly basic concept allows for the tension they harbour to organically manifest itself (with no cheap gimmicks or contrived plot twists; the writing focusing solely on the complexities of human interactions & conflict which may emerge from the various ways in which one may individually respond to certain stimuli), once they're thrust in to an intense situation & the dynamic of their fractious relationship is disturbed by this monumental event in their lives.

Yes, the execution is messy & not every issue raised throughout is satisfyingly resolved by the end, but that authentically mirrors the imperfection of reality & acts as a brilliant way to ground the narrative in something tangible & resonant - which we can all personally relate to.

This is an excellent 3 part series. It maybe hit home for me, in the fact of estranged siblings, a parent suffering and the beauty that can happen when truth is brought front and center. Suranne Jones and Eve Best are the 2 sisters at the forefront of this fantastically acted and really well written series. Becca and Roseline, respectively.

Jones, I have loved since Scott & Bailey and Best, since Nurse Jackie. Other standouts include Dean L Kelly as Jacob and Andrew Knott as Jim, Suzanne's husband.

This is a well thought out script that doesn't waiver and is quite believable when faced with the given back story that is revealed as the series progresses.

I have to say that I enjoyed this more than most reviews suggest I should have. Whilst it did seem slightly implausible that the mother could in any practical sense spend so much time away from home as the story required she had, the premise of a parallel life away from her domestic situation (and husband) was understandably appealing to her. The evolving relationship between the daughters was the main thread throughout, and although the 'spiky testiness becomes newly found reconciliation and affection' is a path well trodden, I felt it played out well. I rather enjoyed the performances of Suranne Jones and Eve Best as their relationship evolved over the three episodes. Whilst the dad was a bit of a cliche character for me, and the karaoke story brought nothing to the party, I enjoyed Maryland and watched all episodes back to back. I recommend.