The Cuckoo

With C5 dramas you never quite know what you're going to get, they're sometimes surprising in ways you didn't hope for.

This one isn't the worst or the best, its OK-ish. Yes the script was cheesy and had many improbabilities. Like someone driving by who sees a room to let advertised, pops in and happens to have three grand cash in her purse to slap down as a deposit. I wish that was me...

But on the plus side it was reasonably well made and had a strong cast with the likes of Lee Ingleby and Jill Halfpenny.

It was well paced, (its just four episodes) and had some big twists, if you like psychological dramas it's worth checking out and a fun ride (if you can suspend your disbelief at some of the plotting).

If you're wondering where its filmed, we're in County Wicklow, Ireland, which really is as nice as it looks here.

Ok so ho hum with yet another low budget, low quality script , low quality acting and with the 'lead actor' JH not exactly acting but being JH yet again . I guess she can get away with this for a C5 production but I would like to see her given a decent high quality part where she has the opportunity to show her acting skills properly.

Lee Ingleby is a first rate actor and never fails to impress in everything I have seen him in so I suppose this 4 episode series is bread & butter work for him.

While this is in no way a bad production I found it bearable and watchable but nothing more. Not essentially viewing.

Claire Goose, Lee Ingleby and Jill Halfpenny are all well known and respected actors who I assume can pick and choose their parts so I am worried that they all decided this was the best work available. I'm not saying Cuckoo is rubbish, so far it's actually better than most crime/suspense dramas but it isn't going to become a classic that people talk about for years either.

As usual with Ch5 dramas the budget is tight and it shows, Half way through the 2nd episode I realised it was supposed to be set in the Lake District but it was obviously filmed elsewhere for tax reasons. Overall the plot is less predictable than some dramas and it passes the time pleasantly enough.

Where to start?

None of the 4 main characters are at all likeable.

The husband and wife are weak and ineffectual.

The daughter is spoilt and withdrawn. Sian is not convincing as the poorly dressed bunny boiler.

The script is predictable laid on top of a paper thin plot.

The acting seems pretty poor to me but it could be the script.

The police procedure allowing an alleged criminal To phone his wife (a witness) and other things are just not right. At the end episode 4 is really extra dire!

On some levels it's mildly watchable - the filming and sets and scenery are good!! The other critical reviews seem fair!

As usual all the good reviews prior to release come from the marketing team and the magazines and websites persuaded, however so, to look on favourably.

Here is where you get the honest reviews. I agree with all previous comments.

A clichéd production in terms of script, direction and visuals. Unrealistic/unbelievable actions by all the principal cast and by the police! :). When you consider the number of stages a script goes through before production you wonder why nobody had the power to halt the process and send the writers back to the drawing board.

Then they leave us with the possibility of a second series! Please, no.