It was the most popular BBC2 drama in 20 years, and yet was also called one of the most controversial of last year for glamourising violence against women – so expectations for tonight’s launch of series two of the The Fall are still riding high.
To recap in case you were not one of the three million tuned in to the first series, it saw Jamie Dornan (yep, the rather fit Calvin Klein model), as Paul Spector – a grief counsellor and doting father of two by day, brutal murderer of women by night – and the hunt for him by policewoman DS Stella Tennant played brilliantly by The X Files hero Gillian Anderson.
Mainly, it became the show famed for making all kinda women wanna shag a psychopath. It also led to Dornan – the forenamed fit psychopath – being cast in 2015’s most anticipated film as Christian Grey (yes, that’s right, another sexual sadist).
If you’re already like, OMG-who-needs-a-recap-I-just-want-the-new-series-to-start, here’s your NTK on the first episode in the new series:
SPOILER ALERTS
**Jamie Dornan’s Excited The Show Is Back **
‘It transcended everything I thought it could be,’ he’s said. ‘You will see, as the series goes on, it is quite remarkable what it entails.’
It Kicks Off 10 Days After Series One Ended
After being left disappointed when the show’s first five-part season finished on a cliffhanger with Spector still on the run, the series picks up 10 days after the final episode of series one. Spector’s last victim Annie Brawley has now regained consciousness, and is attempting to speak to police about her attack.
READ MORE: Reclaim Your Wednesday Night With This Apprentice Drinking Game
You’ll Still Need A Cushion/Hand/Large Plant To Be Able To Watch It
While the first episode is slow to build, by halfway through – with Dornan loitering outside the French windows of his next victim – you’ll find yourself hands in ears and eyes shut, rocking, as it’s so scary. Just us?
**The Silk Shirts Are Equally Excellent **
On a lighter note, the BBC costume department is getting a very good reputation for being the most excellent pickers of white silk shirts. Between Maggie Gyllenhall in The Honourable Woman and Gillian Anderson in The Fall, our office style has had a rebrand. Thank you, BBC.
**It’s Likely To Cause A Reaction. Again **
Last season the show was described as ‘the most repulsive drama ever broadcast on British TV’ as it attracted criticism for being too violent and difficult to watch, as well as raising concerns about the misogynistic nature of crime dramas like this that glamourise violence against women.
Having only seen episode one, we can’t guarantee it - but so far it looks like nothing much has changed.
The Best Quote Of The Night Will Go To…
In a very small effort to quash the above critics, the writers have made a point of DS Stella Tennant saying to her team: ‘In order to do the terrible things that he does, the killer dehumanises his victims. Let’s do the opposite.’
The Fall starts tonight at 9pm on BBC2
Like this? Then you might also be interested in:
The Secret Life Of Students Shows The Nation’s Youth Couldn’t Be Further From A Moral Crisis
** Follow Lena On Twitter @lenadecasparis**
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.