TV Critics: The Outcast; Marvel’s Agent Carter; Joanna Lumley’s Trans-Siberian Adventure

“The two actors who played Lewis both turned in fantastic performances and yet, somehow, this adaptation of Sadie Jones’s bestselling novel was the tiniest bit lacking. I don’t know whether it was the clipped dialogue or the beautiful, uptight toffs — but there were times when it felt rather more like a French & Saunders satire.”
Claudia Connell, Daily Mail

“The tone set by Iain Softley’s beautifully restrained direction and the careful use of music creates a real feeling of loss from the start, just as in the book, but he somehow avoids all hammy visual foreshadowing and narrative signposting, so often used to gee a plot along. There is no black and white here, only believable colour.”
Julia Raeside, The Guardian

“There were a lot of heavy silences in Lewis’s world and director Iain Softley made the most of them: the eerie underwater stillness, as he tries to rescue his mother from the river, and the stilted conversations in the drawing room. It’s a very gripping sort of misery, but you do hope that it eventually relents for poor Lewis.”
Ellen E Jones, The Independent

“The Outcast seems to be the televisual equivalent of having someone kick you in the stomach, again and again. Forever. It left me feeling, in equal measure, bored, suicidal and determined never to watch another minute of it.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

“Scenes were overplayed, camera shots were held for ever, lines of dialogue were left hanging in silences, as if to say this is important even when it wasn’t, and everyone was unremittingly miserable. It was like a symphony with only one note.”
Terry Ramsey, The Telegraph

“Filmed during sun-dappled home counties summers, it manages to be as gloomy as hell. Not even Jessica Brown Findlay as the second Mrs Aldridge much livens things up.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Forties New York looks Hollywood musical-beautiful, the tech is reassuringly lo, the action sequences do not overpower, but the main thing is the dialogue, which dances. Actually, the main thing is Hayley Atwell, who, to be honest, had me from her cocktail dress. Much better than the Avengers films.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“Atwell’s bountiful charisma, dynamic plot and direction, and some pleasingly pinging noir-ish dialogue have already made Agent Carter a TV hit for Marvel in the US. Her atypical days at the office should make her a TV icon over here, too.”
Ellen E Jones, The Independent

“There was a sense of quality not far removed from Marvel’s cinematic efforts, with high production values and some great cameos for discerning TV viewers. With a star-making turn from Atwell and an overwhelming air of fun, it was a treat for both Marvel converts and new viewers.”
Ben Travis, The Telegraph

“Lumley’s programme is gentle, comfortable and very much comes under the heading of Nice Work If You Can Get It. But she gets it because she produces nice work. And her reputation as a genial globetrotter seems to be confirmed.”
Terry Ramsey, The Telegraph

“An old hand at these travel shows, it’s fair to say that Joanna is unlikely to ever pay for another holiday again. And, to be fair, she does it so well. Her easy charm coupled with her wide-eyed wonder at all she sees make her shows such relaxing and pleasant viewing. And who could tire of that absolutely fabulous voice?”
Claudia Connell, Daily Mail

“The actress-cum-campaigner is clattering her way from Hong Kong to Moscow like some eccentric 19th century duchess on a grand tour. Like all the best duchesses, she does it with wit, charm and a certain outrageousness. She seems to behaving a right lark. And good luck to her.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express