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The Moorside

531 replies

NancyDonahue · 06/02/2017 09:23

BBC dramatisation based on the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews. Starts Tuesday 7th February 9pm, starring Sheridan Smith.

Obviously a horrendous crime against a young child so I wasn't sure I'd want to watch, but it looks like it focuses on friends of the mother who headed up the search and barely features the child herself.

I love Sheridan Smith too so will give it a go.

OP posts:
everdene · 07/02/2017 21:42

DH just pointed out that Karen Matthews is played by Yara Greyjoy from Game of Thrones - wouldn't have recognised her in a million years!

In fact on the trailer I actually thought it was Karen herself.

NoelHeadbands · 07/02/2017 21:42

I think the actress playing Karen has studied each and every one of the real Karen's mannerisms, but they are just coming across as very slightly exaggerated

Diamondsandpurls · 07/02/2017 21:45

Slightly exaggerated? I think she's gone so far she's turned into a caricature of her. She's so bad it makes me cringe every time she's on screen.

NoelHeadbands · 07/02/2017 21:46

Well yeah, that is what I meant actually Grin I was trying to be kind

thethoughtfox · 07/02/2017 21:49

Anyone else disappointed with it? Sheridan Smith just isn't completely convincing in the role.

lokisglowstickofdestiny1 · 07/02/2017 21:50

She's not as bad as the actor playing Karen, she's coming across as Waynetta Slob with a northern accent.

choccyfiend78 · 07/02/2017 21:50

Sheridan Smith is doing a really good job but the actress playing Karen is way over the top and her accent is too exaggerated. I am liking the neighbour who has her suspicions though.

I read an interview with the grandparents last week and they said that they had been informed that the programme had been made but they weren't given a choice. They also said that the production company had given them a letter to pass to Shannon about it even though she was given a new identity and moved away from the area and her grandparents don't even know where she is!

Diamondsandpurls · 07/02/2017 21:51

Clearly I'm not quite as generous as you Grin

Allthebestnamesareused · 07/02/2017 21:52

Yep definitely chanelling Waynetta!

DesolateWaist · 07/02/2017 21:52

I like the suspicious neighbour too. She seems the most realistic.

TheSecondOfHerName · 07/02/2017 21:52

I don't like the way that tragedy (or perceived tragedy) brings out the friendship-as-a-competitive-sport side in people. It can become all about who is the most publicly supportive, with people trying to out-do each other. You sometimes see similar behaviour on Facebook.

Diamondsandpurls · 07/02/2017 21:53

Touch of matt Lucas thrown in as well

DesolateWaist · 07/02/2017 21:54

I agree Second. With things like this there can be a competitive 'I'm more upset that you. I'm a better friend that you' with some people.
We saw a lot of it after Diana died.

NoelHeadbands · 07/02/2017 21:54

I don't think Sheridan Smith is doing that good a job either tbh, and I usually rate her.

It's a bit, one dimensional, one speed for me

choccyfiend78 · 07/02/2017 21:55

I am guessing that part 2 is going to be the fall out from finding her. Will be interesting to see how that plays out with the other characters when they realise what actually happened

NoelHeadbands · 07/02/2017 21:55

I got a glimpse of Matt Lucas as well!

karmassidekick · 07/02/2017 21:55

I'd forgotten that the poor girl was missing for so long, nearly 4 weeks. What exactly were they planning to do?

DesolateWaist · 07/02/2017 21:56

What exactly were they planning to do?
Get the reward money.

choccyfiend78 · 07/02/2017 21:57

Karma they were waiting until the reward was higher then the plan was that they would drop her in the town market and the "uncle" would find her and claim the reward

DesolateWaist · 07/02/2017 21:57

I didn't realise it was a two parter.

Yes, it'll be very interesting. All these people who have done so much for the family all to find that Karen knew she was safe all along.

karmassidekick · 07/02/2017 21:57

But how were they planning to get her home safe without being found out?
The mother obviously has some very serious problems. Does she still have her other kids with her?

Diamondsandpurls · 07/02/2017 21:59

£3.2million it cost the police.

NoelHeadbands · 07/02/2017 22:00

What was the name of the Sheridan Smith character, did it say at all?

Was it Jewl-eh?!

choccyfiend78 · 07/02/2017 22:00

Does she still have her other kids with her? No when she was released from prison she got a new identity too and the other kids had been taken into care. The grandparents had looked after them for a while apparently but were then told they were too old to keep them permanently so lost them all

SealSong · 07/02/2017 22:01

Karen Matthews has learning difficulties, not that that excuses her behaviour.