The Family Next Door

I've missed watching Aussie shows like this. Slow build, realistic yet quirky characters, beautiful scenery, and some of the best Australian talent available.

Each episode focuses on a different character, building up the tension of the mystery and unravelling the secrets of this quiet cul de sac community.

Loved this adaptation of Sally Hepworth's, The Family Next Door. While in many ways I think the television series is far more realistic than the book, I did appreciate Hepworth's ability to neatly close all the loops in a way I feel the tv series struggled to do. Overall, this is an all star cast who really get to the souls of Hepworth's original characters. I also appreciated the incorporation of Australia's beautiful landscape. A thrilling watch which managed to keep me guessing even as someone who has read the book.

The acting by everyone is exceptional, especially the actors playing the 2 main female protagonists, Isabelle and Ange. It started off slow but with enough burn that I was hooked. I watched the 6 episodes in 3 nights. It's believable and mystifying.

My only gripes were the strong accents of the lesbian couple that I couldn't understand even after repeating a few times, tho I'm from NZ! And the poor sound quality that I had to rev up the volume to more than double the usual.

Great writing, production and directing.