BBC viewers say period drama is 'incredible viewing' and 'one of the greatest'
A cult novel transformed into a compelling BBC drama has mesmerised audiences on iPlayer. The programme, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Ruth Wilson, holds an outstanding 7.5 stars on IMDB.
Viewers have lauded the series as "truly one of the greatest BBC" dramas and described it as "incredible viewing."
The tale written by Angela Levy focuses on Hortense (Naomi Harris), who in 1939 is an illegitimate yet clever and determined girl being brought up in Jamaica. She matures alongside the charismatic and spirited Michael (Ashley Walters), who joins the Air Force as war erupts and leaves for England.
Following the war, Hortense, now a qualified teacher, consents to a marriage of convenience with Gilbert Joseph, funding his relocation to England on the agreement that he will arrange for her to follow later. She yearns not only for a reunion with Michael but also expects that life in Britain will offer her superior opportunities.
However, when she reaches London in 1948, Hortense is deeply disheartened by their confined single-room accommodation and the blatant racial prejudice she encounters. Queenie, their liberal-minded landlady, has experienced her own disappointments, having wed the dependable but dull and unromantic Bernard to escape her family's farm, reports the Express, reports the Mirror.
Whilst Bernard, who is now believed missing, was serving in the Air Force during the war, Queenie began accommodating military lodgers for companionship, including Michael, with whom she shares an intimate history. A viewer who awarded the series a perfect rating gushed: "Small Island is a truly incredible drama, it gives the story of the lives of a group of people from Jamaica during the second world war, the effects they have on one another, and on a group of locals."
They went on to heap praise on the programme, declaring: "It tells the journey the brave Jamaican fighters undertook, and the gut wrenching racism they had from the people they bravely fought to defend. Some scenes in the second part will have you close to tears, and some will have you chuckling away, it's an incredible balance."
The same admirer noted: "I have watched many dramas over the years, and I'd have to say this is one of the most powerful I've seen, it tells a story that's often never told, but in light of the Windrush scandal it has an even more powerful impact."
Regarding the acting, they observed: "The acting is benchmark standard, it is no surprise that awards followed, Naomie Harris is a revelation, but all concerned are sensational, too many performances to note, but David Oyelowo will near bring you to tears."
The programme, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Bernard throughout two 90-minute episodes, is presently accessible for viewing on BBC iPlayer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Emmerdale star Michael Parr makes a huge lifestyle change ahead of welcoming his first child
Michael Parr has embraced a 'huge lifestyle change' as he prepares to welcome his first child. The Emmerdale star, best known for portraying Ross Barton in the ITV soap, revealed in May that he and his girlfriend, Isabelle Du Plessis, are expanding their family. And as he gears up for the biggest role of his life, he has admitted that settling down was not something that was always on the cards for him. In a new interview with the Mirror, Michael, 38, said: 'I was 26 when I first got the job and before it used to be about the nightclubs and going out for pints after work. 'Now I'm entering dad mode. I like my tea and early nights.' Revealing his reaction to the pregnancy news, he added: 'Once Izzy told me, my whole outlook on life changed, It's made me realise what's actually important to me.' Back in May, Mike's girlfriend took to Instagram to confirm they are set to become parents in a sweet post. She shared a series of heartwarming photographs of her and Mike - who is best known for playing Ross Barton - cuddling up to one another. Isabelle showed off her growing baby bump in a figure-hugging red floral gown, which she styled with white sandals. Mike cut a smart figure in a white shirt and black trousers as he posed with his hand placed on Isabelle's stomach. The couple flashed huge smiles as they appeared thrilled to be sharing the news that they are growing their family. They did not confirm the due date, simply teasing that their baby is due 'soon', nor have they yet announced their first child's gender. In a caption, Isabelle simply gushed: 'In our Mum & Dad Era.' Mike revealed in October that he was in a new relationship but kept the identity of his girlfriend a secret. He told The Mirror at the time: 'I'm in a very happy relationship. She's amazing and has been very supportive.' He previously dated his co-star Isabelle Hodgins - who plays Victoria Sugden on the soap - but the pair parted ways back in 2019. Mike played the role of villain Ross Barton on Emmerdale from 2013 until 2018, and he has recently reprised his role. After his debut on the show, he quickly became a fan favourite for his portrayal of the complex-but-charismatic Ross. The actor said he was 'bored' just two months after his departure in 2018 due to being out of work, and reappeared on screen at the end of 2024. Ross was known for his tumultuous relationships with Donna Windsor and Debbie Dingle, and his departure followed a horrific acid attack which left him battling depression. Of his return, Michael said: 'I'm over the moon to be returning to Emmerdale. Ross is a character I'm extremely fond of and I'm excited to explore what he's been up to over the past five years. 'After seeing the scripts, I can't wait for the audience to see what's in store. One thing I can say is Ross's return will no doubt create fireworks.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BBC's Survivor is 'AXED after just one series' despite bosses splurging £30 million on the reboot series
The BBC has reportedly pulled the plug on big-budget challenge series Survivor, despite splashing the cash on the reboot. The reality show which had a prime time slot straight after Strictly Come is understood to have cost the BBC £30 million, failed to win over UK viewers, averaging just 2.6million when it aired last October. After months of speculation, host Joel Dommett confirmed the axe and admitted to The Sun: 'It just shows you how nothing is a given in telly. I thought Survivor would be huge. I thought that would be my job for the next 20 years.' The TV presenter, 40, added: 'I've done shows and thought that's not coming back and it keeps coming back and then you do something like Survivor, which you think is guaranteed and it doesn't come back.' The challenge show sees contestants live on a remote location where they are tasked with fending for themselves by sourcing food and water, building shelter, and making fire, all while trying to earn rewards and immunity from being voted off the island. The hit format has enjoyed global success, especially in the US, where it's run for 25 years, but it seems the UK version, failed to translate. Despite a previous attempt by ITV, which ended after two series in 2001 and 2002, the BBC tried to revive the format when it premiered last October and filmed in the Dominican Republic. It is thought producers had hoped to cash in on the nostalgia of the early-2000s version, but bosses were left scratching their heads at the lack of love for a concept 'beloved around the globe'. The cancellation comes just a year after filming wrapped, with a source telling The Sun that executives had been debating the show's future since its lukewarm launch. Despite the flop, Joel remains in high demand and is set to front the National Television Awards in September and star in ITV's new Celebrity Sabotage. Earlier this month The Daily Mail reported that the BBC did seek potential contestants for a second series, at the end of last year, via their 'take part' page. However, a note on the Survivor UK website says casting has now been paused, adding: 'As things stand, we are not processing or taking any further applications at this time.' Staff on the show have all moved to other projects. Paul Osborne, who successfully brought Big Brother to Channel 5, was the showrunner for the BBC, and took soundings from format consultants around the world about how it should be updated. Osborne said at the launch: 'There were lots and lots of things we learned from other territories, while we were also able to put our own stamp on this. 'There is a little more strategic gameplay with the new version that is palpable for a modern audience.' Survivor was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's head of entertainment, who described its return as a 'renaissance rather than a reboot'. She had hoped it would attract an audience similar to the Beeb's smash-hit The Traitors. Sixteen episodes were filmed in 34 days, with 100 camera crew from the UK, plus more than 400 local workers. The £100,000 top prize was won by graduate Matthew Hayward, from Cumbria. The two original series had a prize of £1 million.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
KATIE HIND on Naga Munchetty: 'Naga's being treated like Gregg Wallace, Jermaine Jenas and Wynne Evans all rolled into one... it is punishment for standing up to her boss'
When BBC Breakfast won the first Bafta in its 25-year history this year, the champagne flowed and its editor, Richard Frediani, couldn't stop smiling. Stepping on to the stage to collect the prestigious award – granted for the programme's coverage of the Post Office scandal – was the culmination of years of hard work. Yet it came at a price. Months later Frediani – known as Fredi – stepped down following complaints about his alleged mistreatment of staff. He was on extended leave when the investigation began but is understood to have returned to work. Now it seems another senior employee is under the BBC microscope: its popular but controversial female anchor, Naga Munchetty. For weeks now, I'm told, those close to Frediani have been throwing mud at the Breakfast host as a form of retaliation for her role in defying him. 'This is all Richard's doing,' an insider tells me. 'It's disgusting. She is being dragged into all of the grotty male behaviour at the BBC because she dared stand up to Richard. She's being treated like Jermaine Jenas, Wynne Evans and Gregg Wallace all rolled into one.' Jenas is the football pundit sacked by the BBC last year over a sexting scandal. Evans stepped down for making lewd comments on Strictly Come Dancing. Wallace, meanwhile, was sacked this year from his role as MasterChef host after 45 allegations of misconduct were upheld against him. Naga first found herself under scrutiny in June over two alleged incidents, said to have taken place over three years, including one accusation that she bullied a junior member of staff – a complaint, I'm told, that was not upheld. It was also reported that she was hauled in to bosses after making a sex jibe while she was working in her other BBC role at Radio 5 Live. Having been made privy to this comment, I understand it was not directed at anyone but instead was a question to another woman about a rude picture. This week it was reported that Naga has been accused of high-handed behaviour, belittling junior staff over how she likes her toast. 'It needed to be a little bit burnt but not too much. And if you didn't get it right she would never shout at you but she would act as if it was a really stupid mistake to make,' one former staff member told the Telegraph. 'Instead she would be like, 'Oh, they can't get the toast right, they can't do anything'.' There was a separate story this week alleging that Naga had 'kicked off' at an intern over how they spread Marmite on her toast, had complained that her porridge was too hot and said she didn't like the blueberries on top. She is now, apparently, under review – something Frediani's circle are said to find 'absolutely hilarious'. But as one insider and Naga supporter told me: 'Richard's allies have been going hammer and tongs against Naga and all they have managed to come up with is a piece of toast.' Under-fire editor Richard Frediani (pictured) reportedly took an extended period of leave after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show I first revealed allegations about Frediani's 'bullish' managerial manner in April 2020, just months after he started working at the corporation. A series of complaints had already been made to the BBC's management and HR department about an 'intimidating and bullying' culture on Breakfast, which had led to long-term members of staff leaving their jobs. One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told me 'the whole atmosphere had become poisonous'. They added: 'There is a normalisation of people crying at work and on their journeys home. There are favourites and it is made explicitly clear to everyone in the newsroom who they are.' Until recently, staff would be ignored by Frediani and names would be 'forgotten'. A select 'banter' circle of white, straight men meant there was a culture of 'boys club favouritism'. Following the article, I was inundated with messages from people who worked for Frediani when he was at ITV News saying much the same. In June, I told how he was the subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one from a woman who had her grievance upheld after claiming that he physically shook her during a heated BBC newsroom exchange last year. One source said: 'It's the women who got it worse from Frediani and his clan. It's more often than not the women who get humiliated and shouted at.' I have also been contacted by staff who worked with Frediani at ITV, where he was Head of News, who say that he was also bullish to the lower rank and file, though was very good at 'managing upwards' – in other words, keeping in with his superiors. Sources previously compared the workplace to 'The Hunger Games' saying the morning programme had been 'ripped apart' amid allegations Last year Frediani had his role expanded to become editor of News At One by chief executive of news Deborah Turness – who was also his boss at ITV News. 'The fury is real about that decision,' one staff member tells me. The catalyst for Naga coming under scrutiny, and seemingly falling out of favour, began in 2023 when BBC management set their sights on that coveted Bafta. Their dogged desire for the award prompted a war between Frediani and Naga as they 'skirmished' over who told writers and production staff what to do. Sources tell me there was no one incident that prompted the fall-out but described it as 'like watching a slow train coming, as their respective egos bumped along for a while – but the situation simply couldn't last'. The staff member added: 'Frediani was given carte blanche to follow certain stories to the exclusion of others and his chosen stories were pumped up above the normal bland output. It was 'cheerio' to anyone who was not on board his train but Naga, as a more rounded journalist, did not like that. 'She can be very personally irritating but she has a sound journalism grounding. So Fredi and what was left standing of the BBC Breakfast team won that Bafta for the Post Office story. Some BBC management yes men said 'well done' but you cannot believe the long-standing pain and ructions this has caused in pursuit of an award.' Meanwhile, Naga's co-anchor Charlie Stayt has been left in an invidious position, according to my sources, with both sides chasing his backing and approval. 'He is beloved by the rank and file but doesn't have many allies in the creepy mid-management class,' said the insider. As for the future of the show, Naga would be forgiven for casting around for a new role, either at Sky or LBC, but it doesn't look like she's found anything yet. One of her colleagues told me they are 'saddened' that she feels the need to leave the corporation after 15 years climbing through the ranks to become one of the most recognisable faces (and voices) on the network.
