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REVIEW: Jimmy McGovern was one of British drama’s leading lights in the ‘90s and noughties.
From Cracker to Hillsborough, The Lakes and The Street, he created some of the most memorable and searing hours of television of the era, while helping turn the likes of Robbie Coltrane, Christopher Eccleston, John Simm into household names.
In 2010, he came up with one of his most audacious ideas yet, crafting an anthology series of one-off dramas linked by a single theme. Each episode of Accused would follow a different character as they awaited their court verdict, fleshing out how they ended up in the dock.
The results earned McGovern an International Emmy as it attracted an impressive ensemble of UK acting talent during its two-season, 10-episode run (everyone from Andy Serkis, Sean Bean, Naomie Harris and Steven Graham to Jodie Whittaker, Sheridan Smith and Olivia Colman).
Now, more than a decade later, the concept has been revived and relocated across the Atlantic.
In typical American more-is-more fashion, the Fox network has gone all-in on their version of Accused (which debuts on Three tonight, Tuesday, June 13, at 8.30pm, with the first episode already available to stream on ThreeNow). Initially commissioning 15 instalments, the series’ success since it debuted in the US back in January has seen Fox already renew it for a second season.
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Michael Chiklis plays troubled neurosurgeon Scott Harmon on the first episode of Accused.
While later episodes feature everyone from The Blacklist’s Megan Boone to The O.C’s Rachel Bilson, The Resident’s Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Parenthood’s Jason Ritter, Little Miss Sunshine’s Abigail Breslin and Breaking Bad’s Betsy Brandt, the inaugural hour offers a welcome reminder of the talents of former The Shield and Gotham star Michael Chiklis.
He plays renowned neurosurgeon Scott Harmon, who has to endure a hostile reception as he enters the courthouse. As the proceedings unfurl, we learn that while oldest son Alex (Evan Marsh) has a bright future in front of him (that includes a Fulbright Scholarship), the younger Devin (Pete’s Dragon’s Oakes Fegley) is increasingly struggling to fit in at Park Ridge High School.
While he claims to have been bullied by a group of girls, they say he has made detailed online threats. But while mother Lynn (Jill Hennessy) believes her son unconditionally, Scott isn’t quite so sure – especially after school staff suggest this isn’t the first time his behaviour “has raised a red flag”.
“Maybe he’s broken,” Scott frets, concerned that Lynn’s solution that Devin simply switch schools isn’t “going to fix this”. Reminding her that he’s “burned through three psychologists in two years, lacks empathy, has no friends and I never know what’s on his mind”, Scott feels like they may be running out of options. And that before the neighbour’s dog goes missing and Scott discovers his son’s journal – a tome filled with some rather disturbing thoughts and ideas.
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Former teen star of The Cosby Show, Malcolm Jamal Warner, is among the well-known acting talent whose characters find themselves in the dock during this first season of Accused.
What follows is absorbing, if somewhat predictable drama, a tale that isn’t exactly original, although certainly thought-provoking and relevant given America’s ongoing troubles with disaffected young men in particular. Chiklis certainly does a good job of making us empathise with his character’s plight, even if you don’t agree with his actions – or solutions.
Best known for his work on serialised political dramas like 24 and Homeland, it’s interesting to see showrunner Howard Gordon take on what is essentially a riff on the Dick Wolf-style police procedural. These do feel like Law & Order, Special Victims Unit or Criminal Intent cases (especially in their structuring), but without core cast members for us to hang onto and provide a moral compass.
In the end that’s perhaps the strength, weakness and appeal of Accused – you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get and you’re more likely to be drawn in by the talent involved – than the case itself.
Less appointment viewing than a series you’ll find yourself picking and choosing your potential favourites from online.
The first episode of Accused debuts on Three at 8.30pm tonight (Tuesday, June 13), while the entire 15-episode season is now available to stream on ThreeNow.
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