Accused

I'm not one to usually write reviews, but this show is excellent. Each episode is a separate storyline and each is riveting.

Can't recommend this series highly enough. Each episode bar one is a separate story and every one is outstanding and brilliantly acted and scripted.

Stellar cast under brilliant direction- you can't go wrong. Trust me.

A 10 episode limited anthology UK series. Each 1 hour story starts with someone being taken from a holding cell into a courtroom, where they will stand trial. Then we flashback into the story of what led them there, all building up to a final verdict in court.

The most consistent strength of the series are the excellent performances. Christopher Eccleston, Sean Bean, Olivia Coleman, Juliet Stevenson are just a few of the top flight actors doing powerful, subtle and complex work.

The stories themselves are somewhat variable. A couple feel too on the nose, or heavy handed in their themes. But most are at least quite good, and a few are flat out terrific – morally complicated, surprising, tense.

They are also mostly quite grim. Even the few episodes with 'happy' endings still leave characters dealing with loss, broken families, damaged souls. As in real life, a 'not guilty' verdict doesn't simply put all the broken pieces of a life back together again. Because of that consistently dark, sad tone, this series doesn't cry out for binge watching. That would risk sending one out the window But this is worthwhile, intelligently written, solidly directed television, and well worth a look.

'Accused', a series of six tough films scripted or co-scripted by Jimmy McGovern, strikes me as vaguely reminiscent of Alan Bleasdale's 'Boys From the Blackstuff'. What we have is a set of (essentially unconnected) intense dramas that effectively reflect the struggle of many ordinary Britons to survive and prosper. Each one ends in a court case; but it's not the gimmick that's important here. Most of these 21st century characters aren't desperately poor, in the way that Bleasdale's were, and McGovern lacks Bleasdale's political edge: these remain six random stories, without connecting narrative or theme. But there is some good writing, and also some great performances, from a portfolio of British character actors who know exactly how to do TV. It's not fun in the conventional sense, but its definitely worth a look.

Best to watch when your head is in a good place. Well done, Jimmy McGovern. And thank you, Acorn, for the best monthly $5 I've ever spent :-)