The BBC has unveiled a new drama that is expected to face significant challenges in matching the success of acclaimed series like Death in Paradise or Line of Duty. In contrast to the highly praised US comedy-drama The White Lotus, the network has introduced Two Weeks in August, featuring Jessica Raine, Hugh Skinner, and other notable actors.
The story follows a woman who travels to Greece with her university friends in an attempt to rediscover the joy and freedom of her student days. However, what begins as a dream holiday quickly turns into a nightmare when Zoe (played by Raine) acts on her deepest desires, leading to life-threatening situations. Trapped on the island, the group starts to turn on each other, forcing Zoe to question whether her actions were the cause of the chaos or if there are larger forces at play.
From its synopsis, many viewers were intrigued enough to give Two Weeks in August a chance. Unfortunately, it seems that the series may not live up to expectations, with some comparing it to a holiday that would receive harsh reviews on Tripadvisor.
On social media platform X, users have been vocal about their disappointment. One user, @bustersnodgrass, described the show as “absolutely awful ‘drama’” and warned others against watching it. They added that there were no plot twists, and the series was “cheesy and predictable,” giving it a 3/10 rating. Another user, @DoucheAmuse, called it “loathsome” to the point of abandoning it halfway through the first episode.
@debbiebarnes66 remarked that “there’s absolutely nothing going on,” while @arrow_sorel expressed frustration, saying they were still waiting for something to happen. The characters also failed to resonate with some viewers, with @Witchazelll stating that none of them were “likeable” or had “redeeming qualities.” Meanwhile, @hardy_lass vented about the number of episodes, saying they felt trapped on the island with the characters and begging for the show to end.
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Despite the negative reactions, not everyone is unimpressed. Some viewers, such as @maggiecooper12, found the series intriguing after two episodes, while @TerferinaB called it “the best thing I’ve watched in a really long time.”
Fans might have had high hopes for Two Weeks in August, given that it was created by Catherine Shepherd, known for her work on Peep Show and Sally4Ever. She described the series as “a story about what it’s like to try and be happy in a very anxious and confusing world.” She also pondered, “How do you enjoy yourself for two weeks in August when the world appears to be falling apart around you?” Her hope was for the show to be “as funny and sad, as thrilling, beautiful, ridiculous, and heartbreaking as real relationships between humans are.”
The series is directed by Tom George, who won a Bafta for This Country, and Matthew Moore, who directed Colin from Accounts. Despite this, the new addition to the BBC’s schedule may not have the same lasting impact as previous hits.
In addition to Raine and Skinner, the cast includes Damien Molony as Dan, Antonia Thomas as Jess, Nicholas Pinnock as Solomon, and Leila Farzad as Nat.
Raine, who rose to fame in Call the Midwife, was drawn to the role due to Shepherd’s “clever use of Greek mythology” and the “funny and serious” social dynamics. She emphasized the need to balance humor and tragedy, describing the tone as “a delicious mix of humour and epic philosophies and ideas.” She expressed confidence that “everyone is going to love it!”
Well, perhaps her hopes were a little too high…
Two Weeks in August is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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