Maxine

Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley, two names that conjure up many feelings, mainly loathing, repulsion and hatred.

This three part series tells the story of the pair, giving some background to their toxic relationship, and the failings in authority that allowed Huntley to land the job of a school caretaker.

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to watch it, I remember the case very well, such a tragedy, but it was very well and sensitively handled I thought.

Without a doubt this is one of the best dramas to come from Channel five, in terms of acting and direction, credit to the production team.

Terrific acting, amazing to see that this was a first TV role for Jemma Carlton, who perfectly portrayed Card, that scene of the TV interview was chillingly authentic. Scott Reid was terrific as Huntley also.

If you are sensitive, if advise a little caution, as it's of course a harrowing, and deeply upsetting story.

8/10.

I thought this was fantastic. Late to view via Netflix didn't realise had been out a while on terrestrial television. The actor's playing Huntley and Carr wre fantastic. Don't agree at all it was disrespectful,they are numerous true crime documentaries on this with talking heads,etc. DIdn't feel sorry for anyone other than the victim's and family. It wasn't in my opinion filmed towards portraying Maxine as a victim. We all have our own opinions on this. But as a drama reconstruction it was really good. I haven't watched anything with the lead character's in before but will now look out for them in the future.

Should a drama series be made about such a terrible crime? This will undoubtedly be a divisive piece of television and many will argue it's inappropriate. On the other hand there are exploitative true crime documentaries on TV every night which attract an audience.

To be fair to the makers they chose to frame the story through the eyes of Maxine Carr rather than her abhorrent partner.

As a drama it was well made and directed, the script was good and the two central performances were excellent. Its hard to believe this was Jemma Carlton's first major role playing Maxine, she surely has a great career in front of her. It was better than I expected all round.

Personally I didn't find it disrespectful the way it was told, but I can easily understand why others would disagree or avoid watching.

Very difficult subject matter. It is hard to believe it is 20 years since this story dominated the news.

When the shock of the Huntley/Carr complicity finally came to light it was a shock to all those that had followed the story as the perpetrators were by now know to the public.

The thing about Huntley was he was believable and had an almost baby face of innocence.

This is where I feel the drama has got it wrong. The Huntley character is too hard looking with severe died black hair. In the drama he looked suspicious throughout which was not the case in real life.

However, the whole event has been dramatized well. Obviously the Huntley/Carr dialogue behind closed doors is a matter for conjecture, but they are word perfect in their public speaking.

Being Channel 5 I had expected it to miss the mark, but apart the casting of Huntley it was dramatized very well.

As contemporary dramas go we are force fed endless murder and serial killer stories, but the reality puts these into some sort of perspective.

Felt like I was watching a Shakespeare piece onstage. Very overdramatic acting, didn't feel natural for screen at all. Two main protagonists had no chemistry onscreen and felt totally miscast.

Didn't like the whole perspective of seeing things from Maxine's POV, the real victims in this story were Holly and Jessica. Their story felt pushed aside to tell Maxine's which feels completely insensitive.

Camera work and interview recreation was very good but a lot of details on this case were left out. We didn't need a series on Ian Huntley's fiancé, barely any attention to the crime committed. First episode felt so rushed, I don't think you'd enjoy this series if you weren't aware of the Holly and Jessica case to begin with.