Credit: Channel 4
Under Her Eye
Close To Me, aka Channel 4’s dark new drama, is here to dismantle the myth of perfection
By Kayleigh Dray &Morgan Cormack
4 years ago
Close To Me looks like the kind of psychological thriller that’s guaranteed to get under your skin and after airing last night on Channel 4, the internet is ablaze with theories and questions.
Warning: this article contains some minor spoilers for Channel 4’s Close To Me.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; we’re all about dark psychological TV dramas, especially at this time of year. So, yes, you better believe we’re excited to sink our teeth into Channel 4’s Close To Me and are doing everything in our power to not consume all six episodes in one sitting.
The eagerly-anticipated drama aired last night and the internet is already fired up with fan theories, questions and a lot of talk around the ‘dream home’ of its main characters.
Credit: Channel 4
What’s the plot of Close To Me?
Close To Me – based on Amanda Reynolds’ gripping and claustrophobic novel of the same name – tells the story of Jo Harding.
Credit: Channel 4
On the surface, Jo’s life seems absolutely idyllic; she has a beautiful countryside home, a loving family, and a devoted husband. When she is caught up in a freak accident, though, an entire year suddenly vanishes from Jo’s memory.
“As she struggles to piece events together, Jo discovers that her life wasn’t quite as perfect as she imagined – and that someone will do all they can to keep a terrible secret from her” teases the official synopsis.
Who stars in Close To Me?
Connie Nielsen steps into the well-heeled shoes of Jo Harding in Close To Me, while Christopher Eccleston stars opposite her as Jo’s husband, Rob.
Their children, Finn and Sash, are played by Doctor Foster’s Tom Taylor and The Letter Writer’s Rosy McEwen.
Credit: Getty
Elsewhere, Jo’s best friend Cathy is played by Susan Lynch, while Leanne Best takes on the role of Rob’s co-worker Anna. Henning Jensen, Ellie Haddington, Ray Fearon, Jamie Flatters, and Lorraine Burroughs are also set to lend their talents to the series.
What are people saying about Close To Me?
Close To Me was originally developed by The Development Partnership and Great Point Media and is part of TDP’s first look deal with NENT Studios UK.
Speaking about the must-watch title, Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group chief content officer, says: “This inventive, unsettling and fascinating drama uncovers the deception that can lie below the surface of a seemingly perfect family life.
“The constantly twisting plot, straight to camera dialogue and great indie soundtrack will draw in viewers, while also exploring a subject rarely highlighted on screen – the female mid-life crisis.
“Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston are hugely charismatic talents and this series asks a question that everyone can relate to – what do we really know about ourselves and those closest to us?”
Reynolds, meanwhile, has said that she is “thrilled” with the upcoming TV adaptation of her book.
Upon airing, as with any good psychological thriller, viewers were left with many questions.
But generally, and rather surprisingly, many were enamored with the residential settings of the first episode:
While others started to piece together their own thoughts on what could unfold in the next episodes:
Some hard-hitting questions arose:
As well as some appreciation for the casting:
And Ecclestone’s uncanny resemblance to another suspicious husband in dark thriller, Deadwater Fell:
While another user perfectly sums up the ‘British thriller Sunday night’:
Who is bringing Close To Me to our TV screens?
Screenwriter Angela Pell, of Gifted fame, adapted the original Close To Me novel for television, while The Missing’s Michael Samuels directs.
Meanwhile, Gina Carter (Yardie, In the Long Run, Kingdom) serves as executive producer, alongside Robert Taylor, Ed Clarke, Dave Clarke, and Nielsen herself.
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9 brilliant autumn TV dramas that put women front and centre
When and where can we watch Close To Me?
Taking the primetime Sunday 9pm slot on the channel, the six-part series aired last night and now has all eps available to watch on All 4.
Will you be tuning in?
Images: Channel 4/Getty
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