TV Critics: Jekyll & Hyde; The Sex Change Spitfire Ace; Great Canal Journeys

“Jekyll and Hyde is certainly imaginative, ambitious, clever as I said, and fun. Will it have the weekend family viewing appeal of, say, Doctor Who, or Merlin? I’m not so sure. And 10 episodes is a big commitment, and a long time to keep it up.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“The visual effects are right up there, as is the witty, literate dialogue. Like Jekyll’s lawyer I never use an exclamation unless absolutely necessary but…damn fine bogey tale!”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“An adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famously dark work was always going to be peppered with the macabre and the obscure but this fell mainly into the obscure category – with some weird sexual overtones.”
Amy Burns, The Independent

“This comic-book fantasy about a superhero held hostage by his darkest urges could have screened after 9pm, and been appreciated for all its good points – the stylised action, sumptuous sets, riproaring plot, inventive monsters and diabolical villains…At 9pm, parents could watch it, and decide whether their children would enjoy it. Some bold young viewers might, of course, but as an experienced father I know for certain that other small children will have been seriously upset.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“It was a fascinating and tragic story but not very well told; repetitive and with the admirable original research by the journalist Liz Hodgkinson unnecessarily mediated through C4’s Secret History overfamiliar format.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Yes it’s a little luvvy, sometimes lovey-dovey, certainly fuddy-duddy. But mainly just lovely.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian