By EWAN MCDONALD
The thrill is gone - almost. The Olympic flame flickers out on Sunday night and TV One's loyal viewers will be wondering what to watch.
No worries. The channel has stockpiled a full week of primetime British dramas starting on Monday night.
To help you sort out your viewing,
here's a guide to the new shows...
HEARTS AND BONES
When: Monday 9.30 pm
The stars: Dervla Kirwan, Damian Lewis, Hugo Speer, Amanda Holden
Where you've seen them: DK — Ballykissangel, Happy Birthday Shakespeare; HS — The Full Monty; AH — Kiss Me Kate
The story: At the heart of the series is Emma (DK). Her marriage to Mark (DL) is on the rocks, not that he realises it. His brother Richard (HS) knows there are cracks in his relationship with Louise (AH).
Guess what's going to happen.
The buzz: Think a darker Cold Feet (which screened in pretty much the same slot). Warned Britain's Radio Times: "It does share many of the same themes — love and sex, of course, along with the petty irritations of families and close friendships; the pain, insecurity and disappointment of love, and the secrets we keep and the lies we tell to those to whom we are closest."
MAISIE RAINE
When: Monday 11 pm
The stars: Pauline Quirke, Steve John Shepherd
Where you've seen them: PQ — Birds Of A Feather, The Sculptress, Our Boy; SJS — This Life
The story: Detective Inspector Maisie Raine (PQ) is a no-nonsense cop in the East End of London. Her copper-husband was shot dead on duty 10 years ago; she shares her flat with her dodgy-dealing brother. Maisie can be forceful and difficult to work with, but her warmth, determination and sense of fun have won her respect and affection.
The buzz: The Bill meets Prime Suspect with Morse lurking in a corner of the bar.
RANDALL AND HOPKIRK (DECEASED)
When: Tuesday 8.30 pm
The stars: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Emilia Fox
Where you've seen them: R&M — The Fast Show, Reeves And Mortimer; EF — David Copperfield, Rebecca
The story: Jeff Randall (BM) and Marty Hopkirk (VR) are private eyes. Unfortunately Hopkirk is dead. Randall sees and communicates with his white-suited ghost. Hopkirk occasionally returns to Earth to help Randall and his former fiancee, Jeannie (EF), solve cases.
The buzz: Yes, it is deja view. This was a cult series in the 60s from the other side of the Atlantic. Tongue-in-cheek comedy drama that's "hilarious as well as being a pacy, racy, stylish and seriously daft thriller. Terrific fun," quoth Britain's TV Times.
LIVERPOOL 1
When: Wednesday 8.30 pm
The stars: Samantha Janus, Paul Usher
Where you've seen them: SJ — Babes In The Wood
The story: She's the newcomer on Liverpool's vice squad; he's the old hand, the maverick detective related to just about everyone in town.
The buzz: Mersey me, it's Liverpool Vice. "A stylishly atmospheric crime show that improved with every episode" (and you thought the Sun couldn't use words that long).
Clocking Off
When: Friday 8.30 pm
The stars: Sarah Lancashire, Christopher Eccleston, Philip Glenister, Jason Merrells, John Simm
Where you've seen them: SL — Coronation Street, Where The Heart Is; CE — Shallow Grave; PG — Vanity Fair; JM — Casualty; JS — The Lakes
The story: The intertwining lives of the staff of a huge North of England textile factory, in and out of work.
The buzz: Coronation St meets The Lakes Where The Heart Is. Quite a few Casualties — some even headed for a Shallow Grave. Eeh, by gum.
<i>TV:</i> A week-long feast of British drama
By EWAN MCDONALD
The thrill is gone - almost. The Olympic flame flickers out on Sunday night and TV One's loyal viewers will be wondering what to watch.
No worries. The channel has stockpiled a full week of primetime British dramas starting on Monday night.
To help you sort out your viewing,
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
