Retired & emotional
When a mysterious crime scene turns up by the sea, it kicks off a dizzying tale of violence, sex and intrigue, with Francesca Annis and Stephen Rea as a widow and her new love
On a moonlit beach, police investigate a serious crime. After a family celebration, a forensics team finds blood on a rock. Something terrible happened here.
We come to learn that a victim has sustained life-threatening injuries – but who are they, and what happened to them?
Local resident Mary, played by Imelda Staunton, is deeply troubled by the tragic events, exclaiming: “I can’t believe a thing like this could happen here. I’ve known the people who lived in that house for years and they were perfect neighbours. I never, ever dreamed it would end like this.”
That’s the intriguing start to this gripping four-part drama, which focuses on a loving but dysfunctional family, led by matriarch Vivien, played by Francesca Annis, a widow nearing her 70th birthday.
She has just found love again, with a retired doctor, Mark (Stephen Rea) – a huge shock to her adult children Jake (Russell Tovey), Helen (Claudie Blakley) and Natalie (Lydia Leonard).
Francesca said: “Vivien’s husband died after a long illness, so there’s been a great sadness in her life.
“Suddenly Mark comes along and she thinks, ‘Oh, wow’.
“They’re having a lovely time together in the early stages of the romance, so Vivien is very happy.
“Unfortunately her children cause her a lot of problems with their many personal issues.”
Indeed they do. Gambling addict
Jake is a personal trainer who’s sleeping with client Stella (Sharon Small) for money.
PA Natalie is hopelessly in love with her married boss Tony (Vincent Regan).
And stressed-out hospital trust chief executive Helen is a heavy drinker with no time for her husband and daughter.
Worse still, the siblings grow to be ever more suspicious of their mother’s new lover.
They question Mark’s motives when he lavishes Vivien with expensive gifts, moves into her beachfront home and proposes.
Then, when Vivien suddenly starts to suffer a mystery illness – with Mark dispensing medication as her live-in doctor – they’re convinced he’s only interested in their mum for her money.
Russell said: “Jake thinks that Mark is a dodgy character right from the start.
“This bloke is someone to be wary of – what’s his agenda?”
Even Vivien’s neighbour Mary has her suspicions.
She spies on Mark with binoculars from behind her curtains and even opens his mail.
But is this mysterious Irishman really a potential murderer?
And how is his appearance linked to the grisly crime glimpsed in the opening sequence.
Prepare for a sordid smorgasbord of secrets, lies, rivalries, illicit sex, violence and betrayal, as the shocking tale slowly unfolds...