THE ACCIDENT

Channel 4, 9.00pm

The closing part of Jack Thorne’s state-of-thenation trilogy reaches its conclusion, and what it has lacked in National Treasure’s combined star power of Robbie Coltrane and Julie Waters or the mystery thriller plot of Kiri, it has made up for in its unforgiving focus on the fragility of community and friendship, especially when placed under such relentless pressure. As has long been signposted, the climax comes in court, where senior exec Harriet Paulsen (a superb Sidse Babbett Knudsen) faces the families’ private prosecution and charges of gross negligence manslaughter following the explosion at her construction project.

As witnesses including Harriet’s assistant Tim (Nabhaan Rizwan), councillor Iwan (Mark Lewis Jones) and even victim Leona (a stunning debut from Jade Croot) step up to give evidence, self-confidence wobbles, backs are stabbed, confessions are made and lawyers pull every trick in the book. Anchoring it all are Sarah Lancashire and Joanna Scanlan, as mothers who soon face a moment of personal reckoning themselves. There are recriminations, tears and a very touching postscript; for all the courtroom pyrotechnics, The Accident boils down to a dissection of human nature in all its complex colours. Gabriel Tate rivalry between the two stores that goes back over a century. With online shopping and the likes of Lidl and Aldi squeezing the market, what does the future hold for the one-time behemoths?

Day in court: Sarah Lancashire as mother Polly

The Met: Policing London – PC Naomi Pearce