Next of Kin

The best way to educate is through emotions. If we can get to the heart of a person, we usually succeed! So, with all that is going on in the world these days, it's important for us to try to keep an open mind. What's happening in the Middle East is very confusing to many of us. As for me, with this film I am able to see how a young man can be recruited to a terrorist cell. Taking place in the England, we can see people from all walks of life caught up in this tragedy. The main character, Mon, cannot see how her nephew Danish could betray his father & his family, but these things happen. It can happen so quickly. We are all looking for some kind of purpose in life! Perhaps Danish saw a higher purpose for himself by joining this terrorist cell. They made him feel important, like he was part of something big, something important. Proper make mistakes. And sometimes there's no turning back from these decisions! Even though this family seems to be a loving one, families can have all kinds of complexities. This film had a deep emotional impact on me. And it helped me tremendously on my journey to understand what's going on in our world today. Understanding & education are crucial to finding positive solutions. I really believe that. So, I thank the makers of this series for helping to open my eyes & see more clearly!

Next of Kin is a very powerful, very emotive drama, set over six episodes it gives a real insight into the acts of terrorism, the origins, process, and eventual tragic outcome.

It's a little far fetched, and it's definitely padded out in the middle, but overall it's a very good watch. Best episode is Part 3, which is edge of the seat viewing, it also concludes well.

There are moments where you have to suspend belief, as some events will have you scratching your head, asking, would they really do that?

Very well produced, well acted, Archie Panjabi steals every scene, she is marvellous. Claire Skinner I'd argue was badly cast.

Overall, emotive, intense, slightly muddled, but watchable. 7/10

When is this going to be shown on Sundance in the US?

This series was somewhat entertaining but really marred throughout by a bad script, bad acting, dialog that appeared to be improvised at times, and some seriously oversized plot holes. The editing is choppy so things jump around a lot with some scenes on screen just for seconds. Overall, not great but not very bad!

This is a well produced TV series anchored strongly by Archie Panjabi who's face spends much time filling the screen, but thats no bad thing. Good to see such a real drama that drastically affects this very British family in a highly contemporary storyline. Its not perfect but overall it ratchets up the tension and keeps the viewer intensely engaged. Good performances all round ensuring you empathise with the human mistakes they make because of the closeness of kin.