Latest news with #AppropriateAdult
Metro
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Dark' ITV true crime drama quietly added to Netflix soars up chart
Netflix viewers are bingeing a crime drama detailing the horrific crimes of serial killers Fred and Rose West. The harrowing Netflix documentary Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story has brought renewed interest to the frightening serial killer case that gripped headlines in the 90s. Viewers are now turning to a dramatisation of the grim case, Appropriate Adult, which was recently added to Netflix and is now ranking in the streaming platform's top 10. The two-part mini series focuses on how Fred and Rose West were brought to justice, first airing on ITV in 2011. As the opening credits state: 'This is a true story. What follows is based on extensive research, interviews and published accounts. Some scenes have been created for the purposes of dramatisation.' Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The drama follows Gloucester social worker Janet Leach (Emily Watson) and her pivotal role in discovering the bodies of women the couple had killed and buried on their property. Dominic West plays Fred West in the drama, while Mr Bates vs The Post Office star Monica Dolan plays his wife Rose. Across the two episodes, we follow Fred's arrest, his subsequent suicide and the lifetime conviction of Rose. West went on to win the Best Actor Bafta for his turn in the chilling drama, while Emily Watson took home the Best Actress gong. Leach became Fred West's 'appropriate adult' – hence the show's title – and sat in on police interviews with him. During these interviews, he revealed in terrifying detail the horrors his victims had faced. Police officers tapped Leach in order to avoid any future insinuation Fred West had not understood the charges he was under investigation for. The Crown star said at the time that inhabiting the serial killer was so difficult it gave him nightmares. 'I have this recurring dream where I'm perched on a wall and Fred West is trying to grab me and pull me down,' he told the BBC. He also defended the drama against accusations it would prove triggering to the victims' families. 'I think it's effective without being sensational in any way,' he continued. 'Thousands of people still go missing in this country every year and are never found. 'Fred West preyed on runaways without being caught for 25 years. We should not forget this case, because there could be others like him. Netflix subscribers have been returning to the drama since the true crime documentary dropped on the streaming service – and it now ranks fifth on the platform's ranking of top TV. Sharing their reviews on IMDB, @truecrimeallthetime said the drama is 'seriously gripping', writing: 'Excellent dramatisation of this deeply disturbing case. Respectfully done with classy performances and simple but effective direction.' @Aimeemcdonald-55532 wrote it is 'definitely a must-see', adding: 'I was very moved by this dramatisation. Brilliant acting which left me with chills. I had to keep reminding myself that these events actually happened, because it's so stomach churning.' More Trending However, not everyone was taken with the dramatisation as @rupie had issues with the apparent sympathetic portrayal of Fred West. They wrote: 'It was repellent – as well as incomprehensible – to watch Leach's developing interest and fascination with Fred West. 'Anyone watching this movie should first do some Googling to find out the details of what Fred and Rosemary West perpetrated. If anyone deserves to be called human monsters, it is this pair. In the light of this knowledge, the script's clear intention – to me anyway – to actually make West into a figure of sympathy is disgusting.' Appropriate Adult is available to stream on Netflix. This article was originally published on May 27, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Rose West has new grandchild after son welcomes baby with former model MORE: British Soap Awards 2025 afterparty evacuated due to security alert MORE: Netflix viewers rush to watch 'astonishing' drama starring Sheridan Smith as beloved British icon
Metro
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Seriously gripping' true crime drama storms up Netflix chart
The harrowing Netflix documentary Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story has brought renewed interest to the frightening serial killer case that gripped headlines in the 90s. Viewers are now turning to a dramatisation of the grim case, Appropriate Adult, which was recently added to Netflix and is now ranking in the streaming platform's top 10. The two-part mini series focuses on how Fred and Rose West were brought to justice, first airing on ITV in 2011. As the opening credits state: 'This is a true story. What follows is based on extensive research, interviews and published accounts. Some scenes have been created for the purposes of dramatisation.' The drama follows Gloucester social worker Janet Leach (Emily Watson) and her pivotal role in discovering the bodies of women the couple had killed and buried on their property. She became Fred West's 'appropriate adult' – hence the show's title – and sat in on police interviews with him. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. There, he revealed in terrifying detail the horrors his victims had faced. Police officers tapped Leach in order to avoid any future insinuation Fred West had not understood the charges he was under investigation for. Dominic West plays Fred West in the drama, while Mr Bates vs The Post Office star Monica Dolan plays his wife Rose. Across the two episodes, we follow Fred's arrest, his subsequent suicide and the lifetime conviction of Rose. The Crown star said at the time that inhabiting the serial killer was so difficult it gave him nightmares. 'I have this recurring dream where I'm perched on a wall and Fred West is trying to grab me and pull me down,' he told the BBC. He also defended the drama against accusations it would prove triggering to the victims' families. 'I think it's effective without being sensational in any way,' he continued. 'Thousands of people still go missing in this country every year and are never found. 'Fred West preyed on runaways without being caught for 25 years. We should not forget this case, because there could be others like him.' West went on to win the Best Actor Bafta for his turn in the chilling drama, while Emily Watson took home the Best Actress gong. Netflix subscribers have been returning to the drama since the true crime documentary dropped on the streaming service – and it now ranks fifth on the platform's ranking of top TV. Sharing their reviews on IMDb, @truecrimeallthetime said the drama is 'seriously gripping', writing: 'Excellent dramatisation of this deeply disturbing case. Respectfully done with classy performances and simple but effective direction.' @Aimeemcdonald-55532 wrote it is 'definitely a must-see', adding: 'I was very moved by this dramatisation. Brilliant acting which left me with chills. I had to keep reminding myself that these events actually happened, because it's so stomach churning.' More Trending However, not everyone was taken with the dramatisation as @rupie had issues with the apparent sympathetic portrayal of Fred West. They wrote: 'It was repellent – as well as incomprehensible – to watch Leach's developing interest and fascination with Fred West. 'Anyone watching this movie should first do some Googling to find out the details of what Fred and Rosemary West perpetrated. If anyone deserves to be called human monsters, it is this pair. In the light of this knowledge, the script's clear intention – to me anyway – to actually make West into a figure of sympathy is disgusting.' View More » Appropriate Adult is available to stream on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Netflix viewers have just hours to binge 'steamy' 00s British TV drama MORE: Netflix star calls 'dark' show 'very different to what I was used to' MORE: Netflix viewers think WWE star is 'lucky to be alive' as move goes horribly wrong
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix drops another Fred and Rose West series after TV drama success
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story has been a huge hit for Netflix and it's now been followed by the streaming service adding ITV's drama Appropriate Adult With Fred and Rose West capturing public fascination again, the BAFTA-winning series Appropriate Adult has just dropped on Netflix. Netflix's recent debut of Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story has sparked renewed interest with its deep dive into the dark narrative surrounding the infamous murdering pair from the eyes of victims' families and the Gloucestershire Constabulary's investigative efforts. Appropriate Adult, originally aired on ITV in 2011, shadows Janet Leach, who served as Fred West's appropriate adult, guiding him through police procedures during interviews to ensure he comprehended his charges. ITV described the drama by saying: "The life of housewife Janet Leach is transformed when she is asked by police to act as an 'appropriate adult' for a man they have arrested - serial killer Fred West." Janet's role became a pivotal experience as she became privy to his chilling confessions, reports Surrey Live. Emily Watson bagged a BAFTA for Best Actress thanks to her potent portrayal of Janet, further cementing her status following roles in hits like Chernobyl, Apple Tree Yard, and Dune: Prophecy. Alongside Emily's standout performance are Dominic West playing the notorious Fred West, Monica Dolan portraying Rose West, Robert Glenister as Detective Superintendent John Bennett, and Selin Hizli as Mae West. Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story, now available on Netflix, delves into the chilling saga of the notorious couple with interviews from affected families and insights into the police probe that exposed their heinous acts. The synopsis reveals: "With exclusive access to previously unseen police video and unheard audio recordings, the three-part series will show how the Gloucestershire police were able to unearth the remains of the West's 12 victims to build a case against them that would bring closure for the families of the victims." It continues: "The series features family members of some of the victims - a few of whom are speaking for the first time - giving insight into the pain and torment they went through for decades." And adds: "From discovering that their missing loved ones were brutally murdered, to the trauma they experienced and the strength they displayed during the trial."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's New Fred And Rose West Documentary Has Critics Saying The Same Thing
A new documentary about Fred and Rose West is now streaming on Netflix. The couple's horrific crimes – which included the torture, sexual abuse and murder of at least 12 people, including their own children – dominated the headlines when they were arrested in 1994. Netflix's new doc is the second under their British Horror Story umbrella (which began with a two-part offering about Jimmy Savile in 2022), and combines newly-discovered police video with original interviews, including with some victims who are speaking publicly for the first time. However, given how much has already been written about the Wests over the years (including a 2001 documentary from Channel 5 and the award-winning 2011 drama Appropriate Adult), some are questioning whether another documentary is really necessary. In a two-star review, The Guardian asked: 'What is the point of a programme that is little more than a bald summarisation of a bleak and terrible tale?' 'If you are not even calling proper attention to the many, many times authorities had concerns and could have intervened before nine people (at least – Fred suggested there were many more) died in horrific ways, what are you doing?' the review continued, concluding: 'If it brought a measure of peace to the victims' relatives interviewed to remember them in public, I'm glad. But beyond that, it's just a ratings hunt and it stinks.' Similarly critical was The Independent, describing the documentary as 'a world away from Netflix's last British Horror Story, a meticulous slice of cultural history about the Jimmy Savile scandal' and 'lazy, cynical and misleading' in its own two-star review. Even The Times' slightly more favourable three-star critique ended by comparing watching Netflix's documentary to having 'rubbernecked at this grotesquely inhuman crime story all over again', although they added that they 'sincerely hope the series gives the families some of that closure'. The Telegraph also gave the new Wests documentary three stars, but said that it 'inadvertently raises questions about how true-crime shows are made', particularly as they said it's not made apparent which interviews shown on screen are new, and which are from archive footage. Meanwhile, The Irish Times claimed the doc 'generally trundles along on true crime autopilot' but also praised Netflix for including 'enough [moments] to remind audiences this was a real horror story with real victims'. Both episodes of Fred And Rose West: A British Horror Story are now streaming on Netflix. These Are Our 9 Top Picks Of The New Shows And Films Streaming On Netflix This May Netflix Has Now Removed Black Mirror's Most Unique Episode From The Platform Richard Gadd Opens Up About 'Challenging' Baby Reindeer Legal Drama
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale star Jack Downham's Hollywood role before playing Noah Dingle
Jack Downham is best known to TV viewers as Emmerdale's Noah Dingle - but he has also appeared in a major Hollywood film, landing a role alongside some major A-list actors Emmerdale fans have watched Jack Downham grow up on their screens, with the talented youngest joining the soap back in 2009 as Noah Dingle, Charity Dingle and Chris Tate's son. Now, more than 15 years later, Jack has taken centre stage in some major storylines. Most recently, his character was spiked by his half-brother Joe Tate as part of a larger plot to steal a kidney from Noah. But Emmerdale is not Jack's only big credit. He previously starred as Peter Morley on Heartbeat, and also played Young Robin in the 2010 blockbuster version of Robin Hood, alongside Hollywood heavyweights Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. Jack, who attended the Scala School for Performing Arts in Horsforth at the time, took it all in his stride, according to his mum Clare. Ahead of filming, she told the Telegraph and Argus: "We are all so excited about it but Jack is taking it in his stride. He had two screen tests at Scala then he went for an audition during half-term. He had a chat with Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott and got the part! "He's completely into Robin Hood, he watches it every week," she added. "Now he's going to be Robin Hood himself! It seems a bit surreal." And despite meeting two of Hollywood's most powerful figures, Jack wasn't remotely star-struck. "He doesn't get fazed by things like that so he was pretty relaxed," Clare shared. "It probably helped that he hasn't seen their films yet because they're generally not suitable for children of his age." Jack isn't the only actor in the family. His sister Sophie has also racked up a number of impressive TV credits, including Unforgiven, Doctor Who, and Appropriate Adult, alongside Emily Mortimer and Dominic West. Jack was cast permanently on Emmerdale in 2009 after a series of stints appearing as an extra. He is the third actor to have played the character of Noah Dingle, following in the footsteps of Alfie Mortimer and Sam Duffy. At the start of the year, the 23-year-old star admitted he had his eyes on another TV show - but said he feared he would get a 'battering' if he ever signed up. During an interview with Inside Soap about his life both on and off screen, the actor was asked if he'd like to appear in any reality TV. Jack replied: "Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins would probably be the one. I think I'd take a battering and might be out on the second day. But I'd give it a go. I like to challenge myself." Jack tends to keep his personal life out of the spotlight despite his soap stardom, and over the years has only shared a handful of posts on social media.
