Capital

Nearly four decades ago ITV broadcast a serial THE CREZZ, set in and around a London street in which lives of different families interacted with one another. It wasn't really well received at that time, as its time-slot was shunted around from 9.00 p.m., to 10.30 p.m. and then to the graveyard slot in the afternoons.

Based on the best-selling satirical novel by John Lanchester, CAPITAL takes the same scenario and gives it a savage twist. The action takes place in an affluent suburb of southwest London, where house-prices increase monthly beyond the £2m. mark. The street's name is Pepys Road, a clever allusion to the seventeenth century diarist whose chronicles of central London offer a valuable window into the mores of the period. Euros Lyn's production achieves a similar effect for the modern era.

There are at least four intertwining stories centering mostly around the fact that most of the residents of Pepys Road keep receiving unpleasant missives based around the legend WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE. This strategy might suggest some kind of terrorist campaign; and indeed the terrorist squad are involved, as they interview the innocent son of the Asian corner shop owner (Danny Ashok) on suspicion of subversive activity.

While Lyn's production works towards a satisfying plot-resolution, the chief focus of interest centers on the interaction between characters; the contrast, for instance, between long-standing resident Petunia (Gemma Jones) who has spent six decades in the same house; and Polish builder Bogdan (real name Zbigniew) (Radoslaw Kaim) who makes a highly lucrative living out of renovating the houses to destruction. Through such contrasts CAPITAL explores the inherent racism within urban society - even though people claim to be color-blind, and have "accepted" first or second generation immigrants such as Ahmet (Adeel Akhtar) and his family, they might not be so accommodating to Eastern Europeans.

We are also encouraged to reflect on the old adage of whether money lies at the root of all evil. Banker Roger (Toby Jones) seems respectable enough, but becomes highly disappointed when his annual bonus is £30K. rather than the expected £2m. When he loses his job he resembles the proverbial ship without a rudder. In such a money- conscious world, we wonder how people are actually going to survive, especially when they are so suspicious of outsiders.

This three-part adaptation comes to a resolution of sorts, with most of the characters looking forward to a brighter future; but the final shot of a close-up of another missive arriving through someone's postbox bearing the legend WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE suggests otherwise. Rapacity and racism go hand in hand, and nothing can ever eradicate them.

Engagingly filmed with a series of establishing shots situating Pepys Road within the overall panorama of central London, interspersed with more intimate sequences based around the shot/two shot formula, CAPITAL is both vivid and pertinent.

A group of neighbours are perplexed when they receive cards, featuring the words 'we want what you have,' initially they treat them as a marketing plan, but events soon take a more serious twist.

It's a very unique drama, I can think of very few along the same lines, the closest thing that comes to mind, The Casual Vacancy, not they there isn't a story, there definitely is, but it's almost secondary to the wonderful character play.

Every single character is so rich, so well realised, so relevant, the stories have significance even a decade on, Quentina's in particular.

Hard to say what it is, it's a drama, it's a mystery, it's one of those that doesn't need to be classified, it's just such an absorbing watch.

The performances are terrific, you'll see so many well known faces, so much talent, Toby Jones, Rachel Stirling and Gemma Jones are awesome. I truly rated the performance of Radoslaw Kaim, Bogdan was a great character.

9/10.

This more of a (mostly) comedy soap opera than anything. It has elements of realism in its premise: the social mix created in London streets because of exploding property prices - but there is also over-the-top parody and slightly cloying sentimentality. The comedy Pakistani grandmother is a case in point. The story of the postcards is weak and a bit baffling. The Detective Inspector (yes, that's the drip's rank) who endlessly visits the street on this rather trivial matter certainly isn't realistic. I have my doubts, too, about the church which entirely consists of a large wonderfully disciplined choir. We're in a dream world, except perhaps for Gemma Jones's story. And then there's the sadly all-too realistic tale of the Home Office relentlessly persecuting an immigrant. A strange mix, but overall it is fun to watch and the acting is mostly excellent.

Very cleverly written satire. I'm surprised this hasn't been viewed (or reviewed here) by more, and I completely disagree with the criticisms posted by earlier reviewers.

It's a neat story, with some attractive characters compellingly facing various moral dilemmas. The acting is first-rate - no weak links in the cast.

Strongly recommended.

I loved it. Mysterious, funny, suspenseful, and moving. Great characters, great acting. What more can you want? I only wish there had been more. Watched on PBS Passport.