The Indian Doctor

I'm not a daytime TV viewer but I block-recorded this from a Sky channel because the trailers of beautiful rural Wales, Sanjeev Bhaskar and BBC Drama looked intriguingly promising. It's certainly delivered. Sanjeev Bhaskar is always good, in my opinion, and coupled with an excellent and fabulous Ayesha Dharker and a very solid cast, they bring the stories to life nicely without getting clichéd or all Heartbeat. The simultaneous claustrophobia and freedom of their situation is clear but not overworked. There's no sixties tracks lazily ladled over every scene, possibly because the lovely Welsh village and breathtaking scenery are a far better way of creating the atmosphere. Period drama that doesn't feel like a period. Look out for the quality from Mali Harries and Naomi Everson and immerse yourself in a good story.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful cast, stunning scenery, accurate and thoughtful storytelling, and gorgeous HD picture quality. This really belongs in prime-time on a Sunday night because there are so many storyline threads that were not able to be resolved in just five 45 minute episodes, and I need to know what happens next to all the characters! With ITV foolishly cancelling Heartbeat and The Royal, the BBC should take advantage of this and commission another series of this feel-good family drama now. The cast were wonderful, very likable, and the 1963 setting - complete with a musical soundtrack of the day - was pure heaven.

Please, please, please BBC - let's have more of this series please and preferably in an early Sunday evening time-slot.

I noticed this on a Canadian television schedule one Wednesday evening and I taped it to watch later. I had seen it on the TV guide before but had not looked at it closely. Once I did I realized I recognized the two Indian actors from previous work and knew they were British. I love the British dramas so was ticked off I'd obviously missed the first episode.

Nevertheless I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a pretty good show and I figured out the characters and story lines quickly. Beautifully shot and acted, I'm very impressed. I do miss Heartbeat and The Royal and this is a good replacement. The first series just finished and I'm looking forward to series 2 starting next week.

The Indian Doctor consists of three seasons all of which are five episodes long. To be honest I really liked every single one of them. The best part I find is that nobody tries to camouflage or disguise their accents here - many of the cast being Welsh just helps to authenticate everything further. At first some may feel this takes a little getting used to but allow for this and prepare to be rewarded for doing so. There are a few wooden performances to watch out for but as the seasons progress these characters disappear into life's rich pattern. Watch out for Sanjeev Bhaskar whose totally transformed from comedy roles such as The Kumars At Number 42 in the most wonderful way within his role as the Doctor. Also watch out for effective performances by Mark Williams and Will Houston as villains - bad guys. Also the coal mine is in Blaenafon and is now a museum whilst locations-wise Blaenafon town and Llantrisant appear to be used. Would I recommend to a friend? Without Hesitating.

I loved this programme! The casting is excellent, from the doctor and his wife, to the receptionist and her boyfriend, to the mine boss and his wife, to the miners, to Dan, the little boy.

There is no shortage of subplots in this series. We meet a supercilious mine boss with his pathetic wife. We meet a young receptionist in her search for love. We meet an Indian doctor and wife who are newly-arrived in a small Welsh village, suffering the difficulties of fitting into a new culture, and the townspeople who, in many ways do not know what to make of the foreigners. In addition, a young boy and his father are struggling with life with little money and troubles of their own.

The music in this series is of its time. Excellent choices of music run throughout, adding to the authenticity of the series.

I recommend The Indian Doctor highly, and hope that the BBC sees fit to continue it. There are many loose ends left to tie up!