Les Survivants

Initially I thought there were too many characters, but they were fleshed out really well and all had a part to play. At the end I wouldn't have taken anyone out. The chemistry between Mia and Kieran was a bit off, it wasn't until Liv came into the picture I understood that was intentional.

It's not really a whodunnit, so don't expect a great deal of mystery. It's a story of loss and how a small town deals with its grief. The family dynamics, the old friendships, the aesthetic made this an enjoyable watch. It was real, vulnerable and relatable. If you have a spare afternoon, give this show a try.

I did get frustrated by the apparent slow pace of the first three episodes. It seemed like the story was dawdling and meandering without obvious purpose.

However, from Ep.4 onwards, I started to become more engaged in the plot. Perhaps I was starting to get my memory of all the names into proper place - confusing at first!

The denouement in the last two episodes was generally quite gripping. In some ways more of a "what actually happened" than a straight out "whodunnit". Perhaps the most captivating part of the series was the location. A quaint seaside location with beaches, cliffs and caves is a great adjunct to the intrigues of plot development.

Ultimately I did feel rewarded for sticking it out to the climactic end - enough to forgive one or two plausibility weaknesses that are probably inevitable with this type of mystery drama.

If you're a fan of Broadchurch and the like, then you should try The Survivors and approach it with patience in the first half of the series.

Nothing about the plot, the set of characters, the picturesque setting, the whodunnit element etc is particularly inventive or different from a hundred things you've seen before.

BUT the difference here is that the script is intelligent and fresh, the character development unexpectedly deep and affecting and the whole thing is carried off quite expertly without the usual 'groan moments' we so often get. The performances of main characters Kieran, Verity and Mia are particularly strong.

You need to stay with it through a couple of episodes for these qualities to blosssom. You could do a lot worse for entertainment.

No pun intended - one might think: well this seems like an open and shut case ... well if that is what you thought ... you can guess it now: you guessed wrong. I think the show runs a bit longer than it should have, but it still is very well written and played. And the characters - actors portraying them of course - really give it their all - very well drawn (drown?) - again no pun intended.

I didn't know what to expect from this - but I reckon it did succeed ... and I was entertained - though I reckon it's more like I was really interested in where this would be going ... with reveals upon reveals ... and they do seem to make sense too. At least they do pass the (fast) smell test ... no pun intended.

The Survivors is a hauntingly atmospheric drama set against the breathtaking Tasmanian coastline. The natural beauty of the setting contrasts sharply with the emotional scars and long-buried secrets of the characters. It's not just a murder mystery - it's a slow-burn exploration of grief, guilt, and the complexity of human relationships. The characters feel like people you might know: flawed, familiar, and deeply affected by their past. If you're drawn to stories with beautiful scenery, nuanced performances, and where every conversation seems to hide another layer of truth, this is a must-watch.