The BBC has released a new drama, but sadly, it seems unlikely to have the success of Death in Paradise or Line of Duty, if early reviews are anything to go by.
Compared to hit US comedy-drama The White Lotus, the Beeb has brought us Two Weeks in August, starring Jessica Raine, Hugh Skinner, and more.
Its plot follows a woman who holidays with her university friends in sunny Greece in a bid to rekindle the joy in her life.
But while in paradise, the blissful getaway soon turns into a nightmare as Zoe (Raine), desperate to revive the fun-loving freedom of her uni student days, acts on her deepest desires, and life-or-death situations follow.
Having become trapped on the island, the group looks to place blame, turning on one another and forcing Zoe to question whether she caused the destruction or if bigger forces are at play.
From its synopsis, plenty were intrigued to give Two Weeks in August a go. Alas, if this were a real holiday, audiences would probably be destroying it on Tripadvisor.
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Taking to X, @bustersnodgrass was ruthless with their verdict, saying they binge-watched with the mindset of ‘it had to get better’.
‘It didnt, absolutely awful “drama” if youre thinking about watching it , dont ! There’s no plot twist to talk of and so cheesy and predictable 3/10 and thats generous’, they blasted.
@DoucheAmuse described it as ‘loathsome’ to the point of ‘giving up halfway into the first episode.’
A similarly baffled @debbiebarnes66 said there is ‘absolutely nothing is going’, while @arrow_sorel echoed: ‘Still waiting for something to happen [sleep emoji’.
What’s more, the characters haven’t landed, with @Witchazelll writing that no one is ‘likeable’ or has ‘redeeming qualities’.
@hardy_lass also vented: ‘Why are there so many episodes of #TwoWeeksInAugust, I feel like I’ve been stuck on this awful island with them make it stop’.
What are you making of Two Weeks in August?
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Yet to watch
But not everyone is so unimpressed, with @maggiecooper12 ‘intrigued’ after two episodes and @TerferinaB declaring it ‘the best thing I’ve watched in a really long time’.
You’d be forgiven for having bold expectations for Two Weeks in August, given that it was created by Catherine Shepherd, known for her roles in Peep Show, Sally4Ever, and various other comedies.
The writer described the series ahead of its release as being ‘a story about what it’s like to try and be happy in a very anxious and confusing world and, at its core, about a woman struggling to play all the roles she’s been given by life’.
‘How do you enjoy yourself for two weeks in August when the world appears to be falling apart around you?’, she mused. ‘I hope it will be as funny and sad, as thrilling, beautiful, ridiculous, and heartbreaking as real relationships between humans are.’
Two Weeks in August is also directed by Tom George, who won a Bafta for This Country, and Matthew Moore, who directed Colin from Accounts.
Unfortunately, this new addition to the broadcaster’s schedule may not have the same lasting impact.
As well as Raine at the helm and Skinner (who plays Jacob), the cast includes Damien Molony as Dan, Antonia Thomas as Jess, Nicholas Pinnock as Solomon, and Leila Farzad as Nat.
Lead actress Raine, 44, who rose to prominence in Call the Midwife, said she was drawn to the role by Shepherd’s ‘clever use of Greek mythology’ and both ‘funny and serious’ social dynamics.
‘I always felt the tone had to strike the right balance of comedy and tragedy,’ she said.
‘It’s a delicious mix of humour and epic philosophies and ideas. I think everyone is going to love it!’
Well, maybe her hopes were a little too high…
Two Weeks in August is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
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