The Holiday

Channel 5, 9pm, Tuesday to Friday

Whisper it softly but Channel 5 is developing a nice line in watchable and entertaining dramas. After the recent Sheridan Smith mini-series The Teacher, here’s a welcome piece of escapism (showing over four consecutive nights) in which a family’s holiday rapidly turns from dream break into a nightmare.

As policewoman Kate (Jill Halfpenny) and her husband Sean (Owen McDonnell) arrive at their villa in Malta with their two children, there seems little more to worry about than ensuring there’s enough suntan lotion to stop burning in the heat. But then Kate stumbles on what appears to be proof that Sean is having an affair with one of the friends (including Aidan McCardle and Liv Mjönes, right) staying with them.

At first the only question is which one. But then matters take a more serious turn with life-or-death consequences... ★★★★★