Review: Channel 5’s The Inheritance is just the tonic as the nights draw in
The Inheritance on Channel 5: ★★★★ Channel 5’s latest drama explores how a family responds when the Father’s will doesn’t go their way.
As the nights draw in, this glossy drama is perfectly scheduled. Elevated by a top-notch cast, it’s the latest refreshing drama from the channel which refuses to simply turn out crime drama after crime drama, like certain other channels do.
There’s something enjoyable about watching the car crash unfold here. Three siblings discover their Father changed his will very close up to his death, which in itself was apparently a result of circumstances that were out of character. Then, the bombshell. The Father, Dennis, wasn’t to be buried next to his deceased wife as the siblings thought he would. No, he was to be cremated. Oh, and all of his money would be going to his new wife.
A wife that the siblings new nothing of.
Expertly written, it’s not all about big, dramatic bombshells. It turns out our Dennis was apparently suffering from dementia - something the grown up children new nothing of. Infact, what unfolds, uncomfortably, is Dennis’s kids really didn’t know him at all.
And that’s what The Inheritance does so well. It lifts up a mirror to families, where people take one another for granted, make assumptions about one another and actually don’t really know each other at all.
COBRA is back for a third season this October
To keep things interesting, there are some extra twists to the tail, too. Dennis’s only son, Daniel, who it seems was the favourite child, is in financial difficulties. He’s got himself in hot water thanks to a failing restaurant business and loans that he can’t pay.
If only he could benefit from Dennis’s will!
I mentioned the cast, and it is impressive, with Robert James-Collier (Downton Abbey, Ackley Bridge, Coronation St), Gaynor Faye (The Syndicate, Emmerdale, Fat Friends, Coronation Street) and Jemima Rooper (Gold Digger, Matriarch, Flowers in the Attic) playing siblings Daniel, Sian and Chloe. Larry Lamb (EastEnders, Gavin & Stacey) will play their Father, Dennis with Samantha Bond (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Downton Abbey) as Susan and Kevin Whately (Morse, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Inspector Lewis) will star as Michael. Adil Ray (Citizen Khan, Blithe Spirit Ackley Bridge), Rory Fleck Byrne (This Is Going to Hurt, Dash, Vampire Academy), Kevin Harvey (Time, Sandman, Treason), and Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything) will also feature.
Without such good casting, this drama could have tanked, but it turns out Channel 5 have created a kind of British version of Dynasty and it’s joyous to watch the nightmare unfold.
Where will it go next? We dread to think. Catch up on My5 and watch episode 2 next Monday at 9pm on Channel 5.
Discover the Humax A1 4K Android TV Stream Box!
Sponsored: Simplify your entertainment experience with this tiny yet mighty official Android TV 4K streaming box. Discover 400,000+ movies and shows in one place. Ask Google to control your TV with your voice, and cast your photos, videos, and music from devices to your TV easily with Chromecast built-in. Click here to find out more.
icymi…
