The great British fake-off
AFASCINATING fragment of British history comes roaring to life in THE GALLOWS POLE (BBC2, 9pm), a brand new three-part period drama starring Downton Abbey’s Sophie McShera and This Is England’s Michael Socha. Based on an award-winning book, it’s a partly fictionalised tale of a counterfeiting operation set up by a group of weavers and farmers near Hebden Bridge,WestYorkshire in the late 18th-century.
The tale opens with David Hartley (Socha) returning to his family’s moor-top home after a spell in Birmingham. He’s so disheartened at the impoverished state of its people that, despite his poor health, he’s determined to make things better.
Hartley sets up the CraggVale Coiners, who pulled off one of the biggest frauds in British history by minting so much fake money that it caused problems for the country’s economy. Filmmaker Shane Meadows – the man behind the This Is England dramas – brings these historical figures to life vividly, displaying a lot of affection for the plucky counterfeiters.
His message is that Hartley and his crew committed their crimes not to live high on the hog, but Robin Hood-style to feed the poor, even if they did show little mercy for those who crossed them.
Whatever you think of their morals, the characters come across as an engaging bunch in a drama full of energy. Chances are it’ll have you rooting for the underdog, too.
Documentary A PAEDOPHILE IN MY FAMILY: SURVIVING DAD (Channel 4, 9pm), isn’t an easy watch, looking at the longterm effects of sexual abuse.
It follows successful businesswoman Emily, who as a child was the victim of repeated sexual abuse by her father, as she looks for closure.
Cameras follow Emily as she describes the terrible events of her childhood and contemplates whether to confront her dad, who was convicted and jailed for his crimes and is now out of prison.
While Emily thinks about her course of action, she reconnects with people, including her mother, family friends and teachers, to find out why her abuse remained a secret for so long. She also meets up with the police officers who dealt with her case, who deliver shocking new information about her father’s level of manipulation.
It’s undoubtedly true that Emily is opening old wounds, but she states bravely that she wants to help others in a similar position, who’ve kept their abuse secret for too long. Her testimony is one more step in removing the terrible stigma victims often feel about abuse, one that keeps them silent when they have no reason to be.
Above all, Emily’s story is one of remarkable resilience in the face of trauma.