TV Critics: The Watchman; Chronicles of Nadiya; The Great British Bake Off

“He may not look like a traditional leading man, but Stephen Graham has more talent, presence and charisma in the beard he grew for The Watchman than your Tom Cruises and Colin Firths have in their entire CVs. Performances like this make you want to batter down the doors of casting directors everywhere on his behalf.”
Gabriel Tate, The Times

“A compelling one-hour drama from writer/director Dave Nath that unspooled like Samuel Beckett updated for Generation Wikileaks. Sadly, the attempts at social realism were slightly thwarted by the cartoon lairiness of the drugs gang who looked like an indie band gone to seed.”
Ed Power, The Telegraph

“The trouble with The Watchman was that it couldn’t decide whether it was a thriller or a parable. In the end my disbelief was never suspended.”Virginia Blackburn, Daily Express

“The last minute of this one-off drama was a pastiche of the final scene in The Long Good Friday. The Long Good Friday, of course, was a piece of unforgettable story-telling. This, on the other hand… what was it called again?”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“She’s not exactly an intrepid traveller, but Nadiya makes for an engaging and open-hearted presenter. If you cried when she won Bake Off, you’ll probably cry at this. I did, and I did.”
Tim Dowling, The Guardian

“Who could have predicted the self-doubting, reticent Nadiya of the early episodes would transcend lazy symbolism to blossom into a television natural? The Chronicles of Nadiya confirmed her star quality. A charming, admirably honest guide around Bangladesh. Much more of this and she’ll be approaching national treasure status.”
Gabriel Tate, The Times

“I suspect the Beeb bosses are fully aware they have a terrific TV presenter here, a woman who will tackle anything, with a delightfully unpretentious way of speaking — it’s just that she doesn’t know it herself yet.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

The Great British Bake Off, BBC1

“While it remains every inch the cozy affair you remember from past seasons, it sometimes has the feel of a wildly popular spectator sport desperately clinging to amateur status.”
Tim Dowling, The Guardian

“If this opening episode was a cake, it would have earned the coveted ‘Hollywood handshake’. Good bake.”
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph

“Tonight’s opening episode contained all the vital ingredients that has made Bake Off so addictive. This was a mouth-watering opening and we’re looking forward to seconds.”
Daisy Wyatt, The i