The Runaway

Sky TV isn't exactly the first name that springs to mind when you think of quality British period dramas. In fact, if you answered anything other than "The BBC" then you'd be considered mad. And yet, even as Aunty's star seems to be waning, so Sky is stepping up its game - and productions like this can only do it the power of good.

As I write this, the third episode of this 5-parter has just aired, and it just keeps on getting better. Despite the emphasis on the gangs/underworld in the plot synopsis, so far we've primarily followed Cathy's life (she, after all, being the title part). And, what a roller-coaster her life is... Sadly, the abuse she is subject to is entirely believable for that era - it probably still goes on to this day - goodness knows how many Cathys there are out there who never had the chance to run away.

If I were to level any criticisms at the programme, they would be these:

• Keith Allen is not 100% convincing as a ruthless underworld gangster. He looked daft with the syrup (wig), and after loosing that he looks more like a kindly uncle than a ruthless villain. - Joanna Vanderham - who looks absolutely stunning throughout, and what a find! She's got a long and brilliant career ahead of her - looks significantly older than the 14 she's supposed to be at the start of the series. In fact, none of the characters appear to have appreciably aged, despite the apparent passage of time.

And, that's about it really, for the complaints. There is some violence, but only enough to tell the story; and it's cracking along at a fair old pace.

If you enjoy good drama, in the style that the BBC used to do so well, then The Runaway will appeal to you. I think it's an excellent miniseries, and I hope it can find a larger audience than just Sky 1 viewers.

What a great series. I wish we had this kind of great work on this side of the pond. I became a fan of Max Irons recently so I started watching his films. Being a young up and coming actor (son of Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cusack-double powerhouse genes there), I gave the series a go. From the first episode I was hooked. It has opened me up to another fast rising mega star in the making, Jack O'Connell. Runaway is a bit of everything, edgy writing, intrigue, romance, crime, drama, murder, gangsters, bombs and drag queens. Who can go wrong with that lineup. Leading the charge is the ever awesome, Mardi Gras and New Years wrapped into one actor Alan Cummings. LOVE HIM. This role was written just for him because no one could have done it justice. For only 6 episodes it keeps you hanging on to every luscious minute. It is well worth a weekend Binge watch.

I saw the same authors The Take and it was worth watching. But this really not very good. I recommend The Long Firm,He Kills Coppers or Our Friends In The North if you want to see a 1960 London set tv drama. The writer sells millions of books and good luck to her but the story is cliched and fairly predictable. It was filmed in South Africa and that explains the fake feeling of the whole thing. Cheaper to film in places like that but they just don't have the experience. I get no feeling that anybody involved has a feel for the period,unlike the series I already mention and the more recent Endeavour. Alan Cummings performance is the best thing in this,I say that as somebody who does not like him usually.

But it quickly went downhill from there. I made it through all episodes, but the story failed to engage me. The main leads act well, but they just don't have a decent plot to work with, and some of the scenes are really poor. Apart from the young girl who plays Cathy's daughter, the other characters are unpleasant in varying degrees, and the violence is extreme. Filling up the time with repeated flashbacks looked really amateurish.

Although Martina Cole always spins a good tale, this series was somehow still a surprise package for me - so many things can and often do go wrong with an adaptation from a good novel, so I avoided watching The Runaway for some time.

After a fairly tentative start, it remains absorbing to the end. The characters are raw and flawed, in a violent and unforgiving environment, but most nevertheless manage to invoke a big measure of empathy and/or sympathy from the viewer. I was left wondering whether people like those in the story really did rule the London underworld in the 60s.

Outstanding acting from everyone in the cast - notably Jack O'Connell whose charm and menace are totally convincing in equal parts. Alan Cumming is brilliant as Desiree, while Joanna Vanderham moves through the age changes and develops beautifully as the series progresses.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys quality British drama.