The Teacher

Series 1 was watchable and believable in parts, but Series 2 was hopelessly 'huggy', and with so many 'I love you's it could have been an episode fewer. Of course the death was a tragedy, but the over-emotion shown by the staff and pupils was used as padding. The complicated storyline wasn't bad, though (as so often in this sort of modern drama) the main character becomes the investigator and that is unrealistic. The police seemed in a muddle, but DNA would have solved the second case within a few hours.

One recurring complaint is the trend, presumably for financial reasons, to make these dramas abroad (Budapest for Series 1 and Ireland for Series 2), with occasional drone or long-distance shots of Bradford or Manchester respectively, without the cast. I wonder if other viewers find this irritating; I do!

Sheridan Smith is a great actress but this series was a little odd. The plot was there and it was good but the character was weird in the way that I couldn't tell whether she wanted to have a relationship with him as she seemed infatuated with him in a way. Still worth a watch but yeah, a little odd.

Channel 5 have made some good dramas lately - but this isn't one of them. Normally excellent Sheridan Smith plays a teacher accused of having sex with one of her 15 year old pupils after a drunken night out.

Production values were OK but nothing special, lots of strange filters... If you're trying to work out the location it was shot in Budapest but set in Bradford.

The show had a few problems for me. The setup and pacing was very slow and the storyline was dull with lots of clunky dialogue. Characters were all one-dimensional including the 24-hour party protagonist Jenna who I failed to bond with.

Plot had a lot of loopholes, behaviour of the Head to her after she's been accused, police arresting her so quickly, her solicitor who seemed to have taken a vow of silence etc. Acting by the cast wasn't great all round and no-one shone through, even Smith was below par. Won't be back for more, there's better out there.

Not the worse thing I have ever seen. Bizarrely set in Bradford but filmed in Hungary. Acting is mediocre and I struggled to sympathise with Sheridan who has either a drink or a cigarette in her hand in nearly every scene and portrays the stereo typical party girl - given her antics, it should not have come as shock when she found herself in trouble. I work in a private school and this school was more like a low rent state school. The whole thing felt rushed and why Hungary...must have been cheap!!

This was a good yarn that could have been a bit better directed but it was enjoyable and kept you wondering. Sheridan Smith's portrayal of a flawed but brilliant and committed teacher was exemplary. Some of the other characters were a bit on the weak side, but overall it was well worth the watch.