The Teacher

This was a good yarn that could have been a bit better directed but it was enjoyable and kept you wondering. Sheridan Smith's portrayal of a flawed but brilliant and committed teacher was exemplary. Some of the other characters were a bit on the weak side, but overall it was well worth the watch.

Channel 5 have made some good dramas lately - but this isn't one of them. Normally excellent Sheridan Smith plays a teacher accused of having sex with one of her 15 year old pupils after a drunken night out.

Production values were OK but nothing special, lots of strange filters... If you're trying to work out the location it was shot in Budapest but set in Bradford.

The show had a few problems for me. The setup and pacing was very slow and the storyline was dull with lots of clunky dialogue. Characters were all one-dimensional including the 24-hour party protagonist Jenna who I failed to bond with.

Plot had a lot of loopholes, behaviour of the Head to her after she's been accused, police arresting her so quickly, her solicitor who seemed to have taken a vow of silence etc. Acting by the cast wasn't great all round and no-one shone through, even Smith was below par. Won't be back for more, there's better out there.

Series 1 was watchable and believable in parts, but Series 2 was hopelessly 'huggy', and with so many 'I love you's it could have been an episode fewer. Of course the death was a tragedy, but the over-emotion shown by the staff and pupils was used as padding. The complicated storyline wasn't bad, though (as so often in this sort of modern drama) the main character becomes the investigator and that is unrealistic. The police seemed in a muddle, but DNA would have solved the second case within a few hours.

One recurring complaint is the trend, presumably for financial reasons, to make these dramas abroad (Budapest for Series 1 and Ireland for Series 2), with occasional drone or long-distance shots of Bradford or Manchester respectively, without the cast. I wonder if other viewers find this irritating; I do!

The first 2 episodes nailed it with the terror and consequences of accusation.

Everything that could've happened in a situation like this happened.

Realistically portrayed terror directed at the accused.

A rarity for a show to use every last drop of potential.

Brilliant acting all round especially from lead actress Sheridan Smith. Very likeable character, so selfless. How the producers of the show showed how seriously she took her role as teacher with regards her pupils.

The first 2 episodes would have me scoring this 10 stars but after the fallout of the accusation the show became just watchable with the investigation leading to one of those 'make it up as you go along' poor endings.

Well worth watching for what the teacher went through being accused.

What a ridiculous story line. So unbelievable and far fetched. 'A teacher' on BBC does this story line so much better and is way more compelling. Really disappointed.