Meadowlands

Released puzzlingly as "Cape Wrath" in the UK (the US title was the more appropriate "Meadowlands"), this British production has David Morrissey and his improbably photogenic family moving to a mysterious town under new identities. It's not long before the family encounter violence, sexual tension and oodles of weirdness.

I remain unconvinced of Morrissey's performance in this drama but the beautiful Lucy Cohu is mesmerising as his wife, Evelyn. Cohu drips sensuality and the later scenes in the first episode are thick with sexual tension.

Harry Treadaway is convincing as the shell-shocked son and Felicity Jones delivers a memorable performance as teenage temptress, Zoe.

The gritty element of the script is provided early-on by bad-boy Jack Donnelly, played by Tom Hardy. Hardy is the animalistic handyman whose activities go way beyond fitting broken shelves.

Not a patch on US drama, the series starts well but falters towards an anti-climatic ending. In the end, "Cape Wrath" outstays its welcome.

Why hasn't anyone commented on this programme yet?

I knew nothing at all about it going into the first episode but I will definitely be watching more.

I don't want to give anything away as to what Meadowlands is about but I would best describe it as a cross between The Prisoner and Twin Peaks.

Nice to see an English cast and UK filming. I thought Showtime were an American company? If you like your TV a bit out of the ordinary with quirky characters and an air of mystery then this is for you.

This series has huge potential. Well worth trying.

Can anyone tell me what the song title is that was featured in Episode 8 of Cape Wrath? (this is the episode where the Brogan's have their opening party for the new bar)

A song is playing in the background - it's a dance beat, female singer, very airy voice...some of the lyrics are

Twist and turn this way Broken dreams just fade Swallowed up my hate Hypnotise Me

The "hypnotise me" words repeat throughout, so I assume that is the title of the song. I have tried Google and every lyrics site - can't figure out this song! HELP!!!

To the person who insinuated Americans don't want to watch a movie that makes them think, I'm American and I do want to watch a story that unfolds slowly taking time to develop characters and plot.

I guess that's why I almost exclusively watch British programs.

I will rewatch a British series or movie before I will watch American shows.

Once I started watching British shows I couldn't go back. The stories are so compelling I find myself staying up till the wee hours watching more.

To be fair there are a few American shows that surprise me and are good but not very often.

I love a good story and I feel like I'm stuck in America with people who can't tell one. It's depressing.

I am so happy I can stream channels like BBC, Acorn, and PBS or I would just shrivel up and die without some kind of real art that I get from British Programing.

Meadowland was one who of those series, it hooked me and kept me coming back. The actors were talented and the series was engaging and well written.

I just watched the first episode, as that's all we have had in the UK so far. I like it a lot. Interesting premise, and appears original.

Anyway, with only 8 episodes it is certainly worth viewing.

If the quality of the remaining episodes is as good, I hope they commission a second series.

To answer someone's question, it is not a set. It is filmed in Kent, in two close by areas called Leybourne Lakes (the multi coloured houses) and Kings Hill (the white houses and "town square" and pub). It's also filmed round the back of my house at the golf course (again Kings Hill).

FOLLOWING COMMENTS ADDED AFTER VIEWING THE REST OF THE SERIES:

I rated this a 10 after the first episode. Unfortunately the rest of the series did not live up to the promise shown. It's fairly original yes, but it's also overlong and gets tedious. I'd rate it a 6.5 or perhaps slightly better. I'd be surprised to see a second series.