The Accident

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

In a small Welsh village, a group of delinquent children trespass into a construction site, only for a gas canister to explode, killing several of them, and severely injuring Leona (Jade Croot), the daughter of Polly (Sarah Lancashire.) As the town mourns the tragedy, attention shifts to who to blame, in the shape of the corporation who set up the site, represented by Harriett Paulsen (Sidse Babett Knudsen.) As Polly gets determined to fight for justice, spurred on by claims investigator Phillip (Adrian Scarborough), her world is tested to the limit, especially her marriage to husband Iwan (Mark Lewis Jones), who's involved with the company at the heart of the accident.

Writer Jack Thorne, the man behind the excellent The Virtues and National Treasure, said in a (promotional?) interview for The Accident that he was trying to shine a light on how the working class are trampled all over after a big accident, in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. That incident, however, is one of a number of instances (most notably, the Hillsborough tragedy) that are referenced in this four part production. However, it pales in comparison to TV and NT, examples of what the guy is capable of producing when he puts his mind to it.

The setup has potential, and it's reliably well acted by TV stalwart Lancashire, and Croot as her hormonal daughter, with strong support from Lewis as the husband/father figure. However, none of the unfortunate kids feel developed or fleshed out enough to really get under their skin, or care about them in the way that you're supposed to. There's just not enough of an emotional impact to it all, despite the heavy subject matter, and any connection to Grenfell fails to translate that much.

While Thorne hasn't made a complete hash of it (as many have said!), he has sold himself and his (evident!) talents quite short. ***

It was 2 years before i found this show. You don't expect to see a Welsh-based show o. Channel 4 as it doesn't broadcast in Wales.

It is just a shame that the top roles weren't given to Welsh actors.

Shows like Hinterland, Hidden, Bang and Keeping Faith have shown that they can make it in national TV.

Admittedly, Sarah Lancashire's Welsh accent was very good but you can't act Welsh. It has to come from within.

The story itself was very good with great drama and well-turned, often fallows, humour entwined There was a lot of Welshness to the characters and the scenery is beautiful too.

It's just a shame that top actors such as Matthew Gravelle, Ifan Huw Dafydd and Kai Owen weren't better used.

A good watch and the funeral march will bring a read to the eye.

I...really can't wrap my head around the bad reviews. Sure it's not anything groundbreaking, but I've seen some bad movies and shows, and this miniseries definitely comes out on the more positive side. I can't speak for the accents considering I'm from a completely different hemisphere, but I found the acting good enough. My favorite character was probably Angela. Anyway, it's 4 episodes, just see for yourself.

I read a number of the bad reviews but watched this in spite of them and glad I did. This is a terrific piece of British television. I say British because there is something intrinsically British about it's approach. It is beautifully written and beautifully acted in a simple, truthful and understated way. It's message of one woman's inherent goodness in the face of loss, hurt and corporate greed is told without show or sensationalism. Wonderful

I really thought this was good! I had a bit of trouble understanding and had to turn on the subtitles, but I watched it straight through. Sorry to see such low ratings.