BBC viewers ‘switch off’ minutes into Call the Midwife star’s new drama

The BBC’s new drama Two Weeks in August left viewers frustrated during its Saturday night premiere

BBC viewers issued the same complaint (Image: BBC)

The BBC’s latest drama, Two Weeks in August, made its debut on Saturday evening. Written and created by Catherine Shepherd, the highly anticipated series features an impressive ensemble cast and follows a group of friends who come together for a summer holiday.

“Set in Greece, Two Weeks in August tells the story of a woman who goes on holiday with her family and friends to rediscover joy in her life. But here in paradise, what starts with an illicit kiss quickly turns the dream vacation into a nightmare,” reads the official synopsis.

“Zoe begins to act on her deepest desires and the holiday she hoped for becomes a reckoning for a group of adults who refuse to grow up. When they discover they are trapped on the island, and become faced with real life-or-death situations, the group soon turn on each other to find out who is to blame.

“Is Zoe responsible for the drama and destruction around her or, as heaven turns to hell, are bigger forces at play? We are in Greece after all, the land of the ancient Gods…,” reports the Mirror.

Two Weeks in August premiered on BBC One (Image: Various Artists Limited/BBC/Robert Viglasky)

Leading the cast is Call the Midwife favourite Jessica Raine, who takes on the lead role of Zoe. She is joined by Damien Molony, Hugh Skinner, Tom Goodman-Hill, Leila Farzad, Nicholas Pinnock, and Antonia Thomas.

The opening two episodes aired on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday evening (May 23), prompting viewers to swiftly take to social media to voice their displeasure. “They’re all loathsome so I’ve given up halfway into the first episode,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter), with another adding: “Not grabbing me so far, really weird.”

A third said: “Another boring predictable story,” with another viewer similarly sharing: “Two Weeks in August is dire and boring! Not even filmed in Greece but filmed in Malta. We gave it 20 minutes.”

Someone else commented: “I’m finding #TwoWeeksInAugust a very uncomfortable watch,” with a sixth viewer writing: “What the hell is this rubbish.”

Meanwhile, other viewers spotted a problem with the sound, with one person writing: “Why, in all BBC dramas, is the sound so muffled and unintelligible, it’s such a struggle.” Another added: “Sound is so muffled. Can’t hear what anyone is saying. If it doesn’t get better, I’ll be switching off.”

Jessica Raine leads the cast (Image: Various Artists Limited/BBC/Colin Hutton)

While numerous viewers voiced criticism, others found themselves entertained by the drama. “Quite enjoying this,” someone wrote, with another adding: “SO nice to see Jessica Raine in Two Weeks in August on BBC1. We don’t see her often.”

The drama began with Zoe and her family touching down on a secluded Greek island to meet up with friends, but her husband Dan’s sinister secret soon risked destroying everything. At the end of the first episode, a wild first night celebration triggered a sequence of events that would alter the group permanently.

The holidaymakers subsequently embarked on an ill-fated group excursion, with Zoe desperately attempting to brush off her husband’s late-night kiss. However, Dan’s behaviour threatened to push her to breaking point.

So, what lies in store? Viewers can either binge all eight episodes on iPlayer to discover how events unfold, or tune in every Saturday night on BBC One as fresh instalments are broadcast.

CRE: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2209003/bbc-two-weeks-in-august-fans-complain?int_source=nba