I agree with the other reviews, this was an excellent series that despite the stellar cast and writing, was broadcast almost as an afterthought. Or was Ch4 just worried that bringing more attention to this uncompromising drama would have generated too many complaints?
Hang on? Wasn't that sort of thing part of the remit that brought Ch4 into being in the first place? Be controversial and brave.
My own gut feeling with 'Buried' was that between the time of writing and being approved, then to casting, filming, editing, Ch4 just changed in it's priorities. Now, the more low rent idea of new and 'challenging' programming, which had always been a legitimate part of Ch4, took precedence over the quality side of this remit. Being cheaper to do and more likely to attract viewers from a broader base.
So we went from stuff like 'The Word', on one night a week as post pub TV, in the 1990's, to the endless sink hole that is 'Big Brother'.
Back to 'Buried', I'm been watching it again on 4oD, being surprised to see it there (well it was, with another another lost classic 'North Square', the first searches I did on this new service!)
This is perhaps the future for shows that do not get either the attention when broadcast or DVD release.
I highly recommend Buried, get over to 4oD and treat yourself to very high quality drama that is all too rare.
If British channels are envious of critical successes from the US like 'The Wire', they have to step up the quality to match it. It can be done, it's not and never been a matter of talent, just will. (Then maybe some of our best actors need not spend as much time in the US, when they go due to lack of quality work here).
