This four-part gritty prison / whodunit reunited "This Is England" stars Vicky McClure and Johnny Harris. Set in the actress's native Nottingham, she plays the taxi-driver mother of her teenage daughter who, three years before, she found murdered in her own home, with Harris seemingly caught in the act as the apparent killer. Now, under a Home Office initiative bringing together the family of victims with the convicted felon, she eventually gives in to her curiosity and meets with him, although her now ex-husband, their relationship having since foundered, is completely against the idea.
Following their meeting, alternative versions of what happened on the fatal night come into play with the viewer left to wonder if Harris is genuine in protesting his innocence or whether he's manipulating her for his own ends. McClure's daughter's girl friend, who was with her the night she died, has gone missing with suspicion falling on the local gang-lord and his son but in the end it takes initiative and courage on McClure's part to finally uncover the truth.
Told darkly over four cogent, strongly acted, especially by the leads, cleverly put-together episodes this was a convincing drama with a surprise reveal at the end I hadn't anticipated.
A very much dressed-down McClure, nominated for a BAFTA for her performance, excels as the crusading mother while Harris matches her for conviction and skill
A really good fictional drama from ITV, a welcome change from the slew of real-life major-crime reconstructions dramas aired of late.
