Sherwood

Inspired by real events this timely new drama series is set in present day Nottinghamshire where a murder seemingly has links to the miners strike of 1984 and the divisions in the local community it provoked.

This was an accomplished piece of television with everybody involved in front of and behind camera on song. Good production values all round, a great assembly of Northern acting talent old and new and a special mention for the brilliant script by James Graham.

Loved it from first to last. Congrats to all involved in making this, its a truly wonderful piece of drama that rings true.

The small town of Sherwood is rocked when one of its own is killed by an unknown bowman in the small hours.

Compelling drama this, every now and then a drama comes along and grabs you, it intrigued, tantalises and immerses you, Broadchurch, Line of Duty, and a few others, Sherwood is very close to being on par with them.

Great storytelling, a powerful scenario, being someone that had coal miners in the family, those divisions are real, and still felt all these years later, the way in which they captured that feeling, incredible.

The acting, sublime, a raft of Britain's best appear here, David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Claire Holman are all great. Worth watching for the masterclass from Adeel Akhtar, he is astonishing.

Powerful, emotive, captivating, Part five is flawless. I'm surprised that a second series has been commissioned, but why not, hopefully it will be the same standard as the first.

Great viewing, 9/10.

BBC drama at its brilliant best. A stellar cast of top notch actors and a story line that always keeps you guessing with some real jaw dropping moments. This is definitely one of the best series of the year. Not to be missed.

The first season starts off iffy; the yelling and screaming drown out much of the fine acting (Lesley Manville!) and directing. It rescues itself with a finely-tuned plot, breezy direction and adroit editing. The second season is a bust. The characters become caricatures, acting irrationally, I laugh out loud more than once. Episode three is especially hilarious, with plot holes so big you could drive a truck through.

Throughout, the antagonists control everyone. The whole concept of not grassing on another is true enough but season two takes it to a frustratingly manipulative degree. It becomes over-the-top, spoiling the obvious other strengths of the series. Writer James Graham gets lazy and presents us with characters and situations that stretch of bounds of disbelief beyond reason. He seems to have run out of ideas, settling for too-convenient plot situations and characters, manipulating both, literally losing the plot. Second season is a cheat. If there is a season three, I hope there is a new, fresh, talented writer to take over.

The first season was pretty solid, had decent writing and interesting characters, portrayed by lots of good actors. But the second season felt inferior in most ways, and by the two last episodes, I was glad this series ended when it did. Like so many similar crime/drama mini-series these days, what promises to be entertaining, intelligent and quite believable, gets bogged down by too many side stories and similar endings that remind one of any soap opera we're familiar with. Hugely disappointing turn of events by the last few episodes, and despite a very strong performance by Mr. Morrissey, the characters became caricatures of themselves. Not sure if the writers were the same for both seasons, but am glad there is no 3rd season to endure. Lots of loose ends, improbable scenarios (a vulnerable female who is left in the care of 3 unknown males for one), and unresolved crimes only added to the relief that this was just fiction. Apparently based on a real-life community of the author, I can only hope it was very loosely based on reality.