The Couple Next Door review — C4's hottest drama is still shameless
Which shows what a fat lot I know. It was a success, becoming Channel 4's biggest scripted streaming launch, the first episode getting a million hits in a week. Although is it cynical to suspect that viewers just wanted to see young, attractive swingers bang at it in suburbia?
Anyway, I thought, perhaps the second series, set in that same cul-de-sac that bizarrely is supposed to be in Leeds but still looks more like Wisteria Lane, would be less corny and not feature characters so one-dimensional they make stick men look nuanced.
Well. The good news is that it is slightly less mad and more layered, though if you keep watching you will see it still shamelessly dangles the sex carrot. No wonder Alan the pervert (Hugh Dennis), in his community service high-vis vest, lives on that street, it's a voyeur's dream. Suffice to say it won't be long before there's some threesome action with two doctors and a nurse and some extramarital sex that is laughably improbable. Mind you, I think most people would find it hard to resist the manipulative, beautiful Norwegian Mia (Aggy K Adams), who had coffee spilt on her scrubs in the first few minutes of appearing, purely so we could see her stripped down to her bra.
Annabel Scholey is actually convincing as Lotte, a somewhat buttoned-up, workaholic heart surgeon who schedules 'sex Wednesdays' with her anaesthetist husband, Jacob (Sam Palladio), because 'I'm a very busy woman'. Expect that to change once Mia the hot nurse moves in next door, paying the substantial rent with a mysterious box of cash.
Alas, some of the other characters aren't convincing, such as their married friend's new, very young girlfriend (he is separated from his wife), who sulkily declared at their dinner party that she doesn't eat gluten or fish and should have been on castors. Ditto the battleaxe ward matron who is like a Sixties throwback, though for all I know some matrons are still ball-busters. Actually Alan the pervert is a highlight and the show, as it progresses, seems to point to a possible redemption for him.
• Read more TV reviews, guides about what to watch and interviews
Anyway, as a series it's as daft as a brush but, on a surface level, it is entertaining.
★★★☆☆
Love TV? Discover the best shows on Netflix, the best Prime Video TV shows, the best Disney+ shows , the best Apple TV+ shows, the best shows on BBC iPlayer , the best shows on Sky and Now, the best shows on ITVX, the best shows on Channel 4 streaming, the best shows on Paramount+ and our favourite hidden gem TV shows. Don't forget to check our comprehensive TV guide for the latest listings
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Midsomer Murders wine on display in Leeds literary exhibition
A wine bottle from the set of Midsomer Murders, an ancient Greek coin and a monk's stylus are on display as part of an exhibition about Leeds' literary House Museum is displaying objects and stories that have inspired modern-day writers such as screenwriter Lisa Holdsworth and novelist Jennifer who has worked on Emmerdale, Call the Midwife and Fat Friends, also donated original scripts from her first paid writing job, signed by Liza Tarbuck and Ant and community curator Patrick Bourne said Leeds was home to many talented writers. He said: "There's perhaps something in the nature of many writers which means they often do their work behind the scenes and let others take the spotlight."That's why we're so pleased to be celebrating the efforts of all these imaginative, local people and to be giving visitors a chance to find out more about their work, the process behind it and some of the inspiration for the incredible stories and narratives they have created." Also on display is a dress created as part of theatre show and exhibition Corseted, about radical Leeds suffragist Alice Cliff dress sits alongside objects chosen by writer and performer, Becky Cherriman, who writes about women's history and industrial working author, Saint, chose an ancient Greek coin featuring a fearsome snake-headed Gorgon for the exhibition, while author Chris Nickson chose a model of the Moot Hall, formerly on hall features in his novel Them Without Pain, which explores the story of ill-fated Leeds silversmith Arthur created the Leeds Mace but was executed in 1696 after he was found guilty of from nearby Kirkstall Abbey are featured, including a series of Cistercian floor tiles and a stylus, which is the subject of a poem by Claire tickets, ink pots, writing implements and a typewriter used by Yorkshire Post sports journalist John Wyatt are also on display. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bradford City Park up for 'test of time' architecture award
Thirteen years after it opened to the public, Bradford's City Park has been shortlisted for a top architecture public space, with its famed mirror pool and fountains, is a finalist in the infrastructure and public realm category of the Architecture Today awards, with the ceremony due to take place next awards were set up to recognise projects that have had an impact on their surroundings over many years, rather than new organisers say the shortlisted projects "stand the test of time; projects that have proven their worth through years of use, adaptation, and continued relevance." Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the executive member for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford Council, said: "The space has continued to delight visitors to the city centre since it opened in 2012."It is especially popular with children and families during the summer months and gets used for lots of different types of events." 'Significant role' The project, by Gillespies, cost more than £24m to develop, and opened in 2012 – transforming a large section of Bradford city centre, according to the Local Democracy Reporting then it has hosted festivals, live performances and art installations, and is home to Bradford's annual Literature opening event for Bradford's year as City of Culture, Rise, attracted 20,000 people when it was staged in the has also been used as a filming location on several occasions, most recently appearing in the BBC One drama Park will face competition from Crystal Palace Park Café and the Stratford Town Centre Today said the park had "helped unlock further regeneration", played a "significant role" in the City of Culture bid, supported local economic activity and hosted more than 50 events award ceremony is due to take place on 17 September. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Poirot star Sir David Suchet reveals his personal heartache after beloved grandson was born with an incurable and 'extremely rare' genetic disease - and how the family have pulled together to get through
It's that time of year when millions of excited Brits are off for the school summer holidays but for many with severely handicapped children, travelling abroad is a incredibly difficult. One such family battling the difficulties of coping with a child suffering complex needs just happens to be the Suchet family, Robert and Lisa, son and daughter in law of award winning TV and film actor Sir David Suchet. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail, Poirot star Sir David and his daughter-in-law, Lisa Suchet, 43, explain how the whole family has pulled together to get through. 'Thank God over the years we have had a close relationship with grandad, David to help us get through it all,' said Lisa. Sir David, 79, who by his own admission has had a 'lucky life' became a household name playing Agatha Christie's fastidious Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, for 25 years. But he was devastated when his eldest grandchild was born brain damaged and also has a brain tumour. 'It was a shock. Our darling grandson has Tuberous Sclerosis, a very rare incurable disease (in this case caused by a non inherited) gene mutation. He explained. 'He is now 11, but he is non-verbal. 'He can walk, with a very particular gait. But he is a beautiful child. 'I learned it was incurable, it was hard to take in, not many people have heard of it. So I'm now campaigning to raise awareness.' Sir David, who also has a daughter, Katherine - a physiotherapist - with wife Sheila Ferris, added: 'I have four lovely grandchildren. And we are a very close family. 'But the years have passed and I now rent a place down in Wiltshire so Sheila and I can be on hand.' Sir David says he probably inherited his caring paternal ways not from his own father, Jack Suchet, the eminent gynaecologist, who died in 2001, but through his maternal grandfather, James Jarche. A warm hearted, kindly man, Jarche was the celebrated Fleet Street photographer renowned for taking the first picture of Edward VIII and mistress Wallis Simpson. Jimmy, as he was known, always put his arm around Sir David and cuddled him when he was a little boy, recalls the actor, which is exactly what he now does with his own grandson. Lisa (pictured, with her son) and Robert Suchet busy preparing to take their two children to the Canary Islands for their summer holidays WHAT IS TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS? Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by the growth of non-cancerous tumors in various parts of the body, predominantly the brain, skin, kidneys, heart, eyes, and lungs. The condition is present from birth, though symptoms may not appear immediately. TSC can lead to a range of health problems depending on the location and size of the tumours. 'You can't cure or halt it what my grandson endures, you just have to get on with it,' he said. Meanwhile his son Robert Suchet and wife Lisa are busy preparing to take their two children to the Canary Islands for their summer holidays. 'Travelling with a child so disabled is zero fun, he has known to have a massive meltdown in the airport!' said Lisa with disarming honesty. Lisa met ex Marine, Robert, as part of her Wiltshire extended social circle, she was aware he had a famous father, but he certainly didn't make a 'big thing' out of it. They wed in Sienna, Italy After their son was born, Lisa freely admits in the early the marriage was under such strain she feared 'we would not last'. 'He didn't walk until he was two and a half. His speech is badly affected and his behaviour is like a toddler. He doesn't know how to chew and is still on pureed food. 'His behaviour is constantly challenging , he screams and shouts, and persistently throws things. He gets through three outfits a day due to his problems eating food and toilet habits. 'But in between all this he is so sweet, and loving.' She added: 'Not long after he was born I lost my own father, Ken, suddenly he was only 73, What with the new baby. 'I was grief stricken. Thank God David stepped in a fatherly role, to provide a shoulder to lean on. 'When we first told David the diagnosis, he was just off to Canada to do a theatre, we were all overwhelmed with grief. You grow this child and you grieve for what you thought his life would become, and the life he will never have.' Sir David, a devout Christian, prayed for his grandson and continues to fight for his future. Earlier this year he helped man the Room to Breathe garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show run by Tuberous Sclerosis Association, which won a gold medal. 'Both our families have been marvellous,' said Lisa. 'And the thing is, my father in law might be famous but at the end of the day he doesn't act grand, he constantly steps in to be a tower of support, he is a very spiritual man.'
