Everything you need to know about Kiri, Channel 4’s amazing new drama starring Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire

CHANNEL 4, WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY, 9PM

I t’s a dream Tv-drama combo – writer Jack Thorne, who created the stunning National Treasure, as well as writing the script for the Harry Potter stage play, plus actress Sarah Lancashire, who helped turn Happy Valley into one of the finest series of recent times. They’ve come together for this new four-part series, which touches on hot-topic issues of social work, race, class and child protection, as well as functioning as a thoroughly absorbing whodunit. A MAVERICK Lancashire plays social worker Miriam, who has a rather instinctive approach to her job of protecting the children in her care, and not just because she insists on bringing her flatulent dog with her wherever she goes. One day, she arranges for one of her clients, a young black girl called Kiri, who’s about to be adopted by a middle-class white foster family, to have an unsupervised visit with her biological grandparents. But Kiri disappears during the visit, and Miriam is immediately attacked from all sides, and gets heinous blame from the police, the press and her bosses – who seize upon her maverick reputation – as well as Kiri’s family. GRIM BUT FUNNY Thorne’s script paints a thoroughly authentic portrait of the daily challenges facing a social worker, while also showing Miriam’s flaws. She has troubled relationships with her drug-addicted daughter and her monstrous mother, and seems to be self-medicating with booze. If that all sounds ridiculously grim, it doesn’t feel that way while you’re watching. There’s a surprisingly funny tone to the dialogue, and all the characters, from Miriam to the birth and foster family members of poor Kiri, are brilliantly drawn. This could be an award-winner for Thorne and Lancashire. HHHHH Boyd Hilton