It's not the acting, it's the writing and directing
The premise of the show is great and this story had so much potential for interesting twists, turns and real drama.
Obviously, it's not (like others have mentioned) the acting. Denise Gough or Ambika Mod could sit on a stage for two hours reading a book, not saying a word and be incredible. Andor was, of course, one of the best tv shows we're lucky to indulge in in recent years and anyone who saw it knows what Denise Gough is capable of. The same goes for Ambika Mod who I've enjoyed in everything she's been in so far.
So, I'd say it's really tough to direct Gough, Mod or any of the other cast in a way that causes audiences to review the performances as bad acting. But alas, here we are.
Unfortunately, the writing of the show was just very clumsy. Many of the scenes felt cringey with the characters acting in the most annoying way possible. And not in the annoying way that provides the main characters with interesting challenges to drive the story along. More in the I wanna bang my head against my fridge door way.
There were some interesting themes that could have been explored properly. Gender roles in parenting, social media, police failure, relationship dynamics and more. But none of them were looked at in real depth. The show felt incredibly flat, cheesy and on the nose. Some of the dialogue sounded so fake that it took me out of the story completely.
Not all is bad about this piece of television (even though I realise I made it sound like that). I see the potential and am sure everyone involved put their all into it. But seeing some of the best actors around today in something that doesn't know what to do with their skills and talent is just slightly upsetting.
Obviously, it's not (like others have mentioned) the acting. Denise Gough or Ambika Mod could sit on a stage for two hours reading a book, not saying a word and be incredible. Andor was, of course, one of the best tv shows we're lucky to indulge in in recent years and anyone who saw it knows what Denise Gough is capable of. The same goes for Ambika Mod who I've enjoyed in everything she's been in so far.
So, I'd say it's really tough to direct Gough, Mod or any of the other cast in a way that causes audiences to review the performances as bad acting. But alas, here we are.
Unfortunately, the writing of the show was just very clumsy. Many of the scenes felt cringey with the characters acting in the most annoying way possible. And not in the annoying way that provides the main characters with interesting challenges to drive the story along. More in the I wanna bang my head against my fridge door way.
There were some interesting themes that could have been explored properly. Gender roles in parenting, social media, police failure, relationship dynamics and more. But none of them were looked at in real depth. The show felt incredibly flat, cheesy and on the nose. Some of the dialogue sounded so fake that it took me out of the story completely.
Not all is bad about this piece of television (even though I realise I made it sound like that). I see the potential and am sure everyone involved put their all into it. But seeing some of the best actors around today in something that doesn't know what to do with their skills and talent is just slightly upsetting.
- dinafmarquardt
- Jun 15, 2025