The BBC gets in first with Mayday showing at 9pm on BBC1 on Sunday 3 March. The episodes are spread over five consecutive nights, a format that has worked well in the past for crime dramas. The story centres around a missing teenage girl who disappears just before she’s due to ‘star’ as the May Queen in the small Sussex village’s Mayday celebrations.
It’s written by Caroline Ip and Ben Court, the writing team who brought you Whitechapel. I’ve got to admit I’m not a fan of their writing – it’s a bit trope-tastic for my taste. Hopefully they won’t throw the kitchen sink into this series and Sophie Okonedo can do her thing and mask any shortcomings in the script.
When it comes to actorly chops though, ITV’s Broadchurch has even more to offer. Not just the close-up expressive genius of David Tennant, but Olivia Coleman too. Both can do tragedy and comedy like they invented it (and not some geezer with a beard in ancient Greece). Really looking forward to seeing them on screen together. Chris Chibnall (Torchwood, Doctor Who, Spooks, Life on Mars, Law and Order UK) takes the writing credit, so I’m anticipating a strong storyline.
With the aid of series record, ITVPlayer, iPlayer and even ITV+1, thankfully we don’t have to choose between them. Be interesting to see which series gets the highest viewing figures.
I know which one my money’s on.
Mayday, Sunday 3 March, BBC1 9pm
Broadchurch, Monday 4 March ITV 9pm
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