Dreamland

I've just binged through the whole series in an afternoon. Thought the leads Freema Agyeman and Lily Allen were really good and spoke great supporting actors, especially Frances Barber who can always be relied upon.

Not exactly laugh out loud funny but enough humour to keep it going and really all about the family dynamic. I'd not realised before watching it was written by Sharon Horgan but I can see now it's in her style - tight knit family with drama and angst.

It kind of ends without resolving things and there's a couple of threads that need expanding on so hopefully there'll be a series 2.

I happened upon this by chance. It's unlikely I'm the target audience as a 46 year old man. I used to enjoy watching Lily Allen's chat show a few years ago so I gave this a watch other than that my only point of reference was Frances Barber ( from amongst other things Rik Mayall presents and the amazing episode of The Street with Bob Hoskins). The trailer for this I watched after all 6 episodes it is really good. The whole show reminded me a bit of the Stephen Merchant show Outlaws. It's not quite as funny as that show or quite as compelling. I'd say that Barber is slightly wasted in her role which I found a bit cliched (maybe it has been heavily edited) . Lily Allen was good in this but I felt that her character wasn't written that well . Gabby Best was good in her supporting role. The character that held the whole thing together was Freema Agyeman's character . I've never seen her before and she saved this from being a little bit mediocre. I enjoyed it. It is worth watching and is pretty entertaining.

There is definitely a market for this type of ""comedy"" writing. Its just not for me. I mean I tried, 6 episodes in and didnt laugh which is fine because we all have different likes but I couldnt connect with any of the characters either. I didnt like, admire or feel sorry for any of them.

The whole point of this show seems to be who is the angriest and who can blame others the most, even blaming strangers...sigh.... I did expect more due to the names behind the scenes and the names in front of the camera but sadly it did nothing for me... I dont give spoilers so I wont here, just to say that some reviewers have said the characters are like real people.....I genuinely would hate to be around so many angry bitter people who want to blame everyone for any problems in their lives.

Like I said, there is definitely a market for this kind of show. Go on twitter,insta, tiktok etc and you will find lots of angry people trying to blame strangers for something they didnt do or say..those people would love this show... If the makers turned down the contrast, called it a drama and eased off the "messages" then it could be OK. But I struggle with the comedy label...

I do not think I will be able to manage a six hundred word review but I will try.

I thought it was funny, very English and had a really good cast.

Freema Agyeman was great to watch in a totally different role to the marvellously well put together Dr Helen Sharpe in New Amsterdam.

Lily Allen has totally turned herself around and was very credible as. Smelly Mel.

The rest of the cast were very good as well. Especially Nanna.

My main criticism is that I felt the story could have gone on a lot further and at least 12 episodes were needed. It was all Uber just as it was getting good. I hope there's a second longer series.

Dreamland has a fantastic cast! Lily Allen, Freema Agyeman, Frances Barber, Gabby Best, Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Shiela Reid, shine through as they depict this dysfunctional family. Great to see Kiell Smith-Bynoe in a more serious role, which he does to perfection.

The first episode can be a bit full on, in places, but as the episodes unfold, we see a calmer, deeper, emotional side of the characters and their vulnerabilities. Dreamland pulls you from some brash humour in the first episode through to an emotional journey and anguish as the episodes unfold. 10/10! Bravo! Love to have a season 2!!