The Couple Next Door

I watched the original Dutch TV version of this show which ran for 4 series 10x40m from 2014-2019. It was a bit cheesy at times but enjoyable with well-grounded characters and a dramatic storyline full of unexpected twists and some pretty raunchy scenes.

The remake seems to have been drained of drama and toned down and as a consequence comes a distant second to the original (Which was titled 'New Neighbours' but can still be found on C4 Catchup with subtitles as 'The Swingers'. If you haven't watched either definitely seek out the original.

The remake didn't feel authentic if felt tepid with a lot of one-dimensional performances, Hugh Dennis aside. For some reason it was shot in Leeds and The Netherlands and Belgium but meant to be set in Yorkshire, so a lot of it just looked plain wrong.

I'm afraid I very quickly lost all interest, it was naffly made in all respects, including acting, writing and direction.

I would watch paint dry if it featured Sam Heughan and I am keen to support any movie or series he stars in. He is a solid actor and nice to look at--a good combination in my books.

Equally, Eleanor Tomlinson is great to watch. She brings a breath of fresh air to any role.

Discovering that these two actors were cast together in The Couple Next Door, I noted the date in my calendar and counted down the days. I was excited.

And really, the anticipation was the best part of this series. To me it just didn't strike the right note and some parts of the storyline just didn't work for me. Sometimes a point was laboured (yes, I got that...move on) and other times the characters just, well, didn't stay in character.

I am disappointed. Hopefully Sam will be cast in a role that matches his talent in the future.

I was looking forward to this series and couldn't wait to see what it had to offer due to the exciting trailers. At first I was not disappointed as there was a sizzling buildup- however sub plots began to develop which left me wondering where this was all going. The problem was the sub plots didn't really go anywhere or have anything to to with the main event. Then we had to make some huge leaps in suspension of disbelief as it soon becomes absurd. All in all a good start but it could have been much better if the plot had been focused and not all over the place. So I'm afraid I feel a little disappointed.

Really enjoyed the first few episodes but then it started getting more and more ridiculous, with the final episode the worst of all. Whoever came up with that ending should never write a script again and I can't believe even after the final episode was shot, it got the green light to air. Absolute rubbish, disappointing to have sat through it all for that conclusion. The acting was okay. Sam stood out for me, with Pete being quite wooden and I think poorly cast. Overall, not very likeable characters. I have run out of things to say but haven't hit the required characters yet so ignore the rest of this sentence.

I only finished this show because maybe, maybe it will take a turn for the better. No. It actually takes a turn for the worse. Really bad script, all over the place direction and poor production values. Acting? Not so great either. Eleanor Tomlinson is greatly miscast. Sam Heughan takes his shirt off so I guess he'd done the part he was hired for. Jessica De Gouw and Alfred Enoch are adequate, though not sure why they accepted to be in this.

Instead of airing this atrocity maybe Starz should have bought the original Dutch series Nieuwe Buren. This one is a big fail. Save your time and watch something else.