What to watch
Shamed CHANNEL 4, 9.00PM
It’s not the most Christmassy of fare but Anthony Philipson’s dark, theatrical one-off drama is worth checking out. Featuring an intense central performance from Faye Marsay (who seems to be everywhere right now, with Bancroft last week and the BBC thriller Mcmafia to come), Shamed tells the story of 27-yearold Sarah, who suddenly decides to kidnap and imprison two apparently unconnected men: the seemingly perfect justabout-to-get-married Nathan (Nick Blood) and cocky player Mani (Ryan Mcken). Both claim never to have met each other or Sarah before. However, there’s a method behind her madness, and one which, when revealed, opens up wider questions about how different events can resonate in different ways. Philipson’s tight script keeps you guessing about the connection until near the end before spilling out into violence and debates about the difference between guilt and shame.
It’s not perfect – Mani is underwritten and the rushed ending is a little forced – but Shamed makes some thoughtful points about our attitudes toward sex and the way in which certain people can stride through life without acknowledging the damage they trail behind. Sarah Hughes