The Accident

I read a number of the bad reviews but watched this in spite of them and glad I did. This is a terrific piece of British television. I say British because there is something intrinsically British about it's approach. It is beautifully written and beautifully acted in a simple, truthful and understated way. It's message of one woman's inherent goodness in the face of loss, hurt and corporate greed is told without show or sensationalism. Wonderful

Glyngolau, Wales is like any company town when the company leaves. It no longer can depend on the coal mine or the steel plant, because those jobs have moved overseas. The population is thrilled when a Japanese company begins to build a new factory that promises 1,000 new jobs. The joy turns to agony when the building collapses on a group of teenagers and the building site manager.

Sarah Lancashire anchors an ensemble cast as Polly, the woman whose daughter Leona is the sole survivor of the accident. Polly knows something isn't right about the accident but she isn't sure she wants to know what it is. Her husband Iwan is the head of the council who brought the business to Glyngolau.

So begins a story that is part mystery, part soap opera and part exposition on the way rabid greed takes advantage of financial desperation. It may be set in Wales, but it could be about Altoona or Gadsden or Cleveland,

The countryside of Wales is beautiful (and I wish we had seen more of it). The performances are sensitive and restrained, which may not please viewers who want scene chewing. The pacing may be too slow for some, but I liked the leisurely way the director "showed" rather than "told" us what was happening inside the characters.

The Accident has come in for some really harsh criticism, some of those criticisms are fair, some are unjustified.

Over four parts it's quite well paced, it's certainly dramatic, with some good moments, aside from the accident itself it deals with poverty and domestic violence, relevant topics for 2019. The acting is very good, Lancashire despite her accent is very good, as is Joanna Scanlan.

One of the main irritations, the accents, I speak as a Welshman, and it's true some are terrible, and do irk somewhat, Lancashire didn't need to be made Welsh. I would agree the direction is a little clunky.

Stick with it, for the most part it's worth seeing. 6/10

It was 2 years before i found this show. You don't expect to see a Welsh-based show o. Channel 4 as it doesn't broadcast in Wales.

It is just a shame that the top roles weren't given to Welsh actors.

Shows like Hinterland, Hidden, Bang and Keeping Faith have shown that they can make it in national TV.

Admittedly, Sarah Lancashire's Welsh accent was very good but you can't act Welsh. It has to come from within.

The story itself was very good with great drama and well-turned, often fallows, humour entwined There was a lot of Welshness to the characters and the scenery is beautiful too.

It's just a shame that top actors such as Matthew Gravelle, Ifan Huw Dafydd and Kai Owen weren't better used.

A good watch and the funeral march will bring a read to the eye.

I really don't understand the bad reviews, so that's why I post one.

Very, very good! I'm glad that I've watched this, despite the bad ratings.