There’s a great line in C*A*U*G*H*T (Stan) where journalist Josie Justice (Rebecca Breeds) warns four kidnapped soldiers that the world isn’t necessarily interested in their plight because “people are looking for more female-driven storylines these days”. That’s funny because it’s true.
Now comes new UK drama The Long Shadow (Stan, all episodes now available) which tells the lesser-known stories about the victims and families of serial killer Peter Sutcliffe. Originally to be called The Yorkshire Ripper, the name change was probably done at the request of the families who hate that celebrity moniker. Their cooperation has helped make this series utterly heartbreaking and riveting.
Katherine Kelly in The Long Shadow (Stan)
And bravo to never showing any of the killings, autopsies or dead bodies, nor dwelling on any of the gruesome details. Right from the start, The Long Shadow paints a stark picture about how economically depressed Leeds was back in the 70s. You can understand why these women are being pushed into sex work, with the UK class system partly to blame. Katherine Kelly is extraordinary as a struggling mother prepared to do anything to keep up appearances. Throw in Toby Jones and this is one of the great dramas of 2023.
Last year, a battle of 60s sitcoms was looming with reboots of both The Addams Family and The Munsters. Wednesday (Netflix) hit it big with its new interpretation of the Addams, but that other creepy family disappeared without a trace.
Now they have emerged and it’s clear why they were entombed, because The Munsters (Foxtel/Binge) could be the worst reboot of all time. The original sitcom (1966) had the comic genius of Fred Gwynne (Herman) and Al Lewis (Grandpa), but every remake since has tried slapstick which doesn’t work without the originals. Notable flops include The Munsters Today (1988) and the Sydney-filmed The Munsters’ Scary Little Christmas (1996) with Noel Ferrier and Kate Fischer.
The Munsters (Binge/Foxtel)
Mockingbird Lane (2012), a Bryan Fuller reimagining with Herman (Jerry O’Connell), Lily (Portia de Rossi) and Grandpa (Eddie Izzard), was fantastic, but NBC passed on the pilot. Given The Munsters has access to all of the classic Universal movie monsters, the possibilities are still endless for a new interpretation, but instead, we get an unfunny and unnecessary prequel where director Rob Zombie casts his own wife Sheri Moon Zombie as Lily. Her performance is so wooden, you’ll be begging for a stake. And yes, Yvonne De Carlo must be rolling in her grave.
Welcome to TV Gold: Don’t miss Mediaweek’s weekly TV podcast
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform for 30 minutes of TV reviews and recommendations every week from Mediaweek’s Andrew Mercado and James Manning.
We want your comments, feedback and questions – [email protected].
This week: The Long Shadow, Bargain, Love is in the Air
Three very different dramas on three different streaming platforms this week. Love is in the Air (Netflix movie) is a rom-com starring Delta Goodrem about a Queensland airline serving the Whitsunday Islands. Bargain (Paramount+ series, 6 episodes) is a dystopian drama from Korea that covers a lot of ground and many troubling issues – and that is just the first episode. The Long Shadow (Stan, 7 episodes) is a stunning crime drama that takes a very different look at the investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper case where a killer was convicted of 13 murders and seven attempted murders.
Listen online here, or on your favourite podcast platform.
