Renew your love of TV drama with David Tennant’s The Escape Artist

Since the first series of Broadchurch ended earlier this year, fans of high-end, twist-in-the-tail psychological crime dramas have been desperately seeking something to rave about.

We were satisfied for a while as the BBC brought us the stunning What Remains, the strangely huh?-ending The Fall – which, like Broadchurch, has been recommissioned for a second series but, unlike Broadchurch, probably won’t have an American rehash – and Jane Campion-import Top of the Lake… not to mention more Scandi-noir than we could shake a Viking at, while Sky delivered slick Bridge remake The Tunnel.

But, with Homeland’s star seemingly on the wane as the turgid third series limps on (though, reports from across the Atlantic suggest an upcoming episode will restore viewers’ faith in Carrie and Brody), it was beginning to look like we’d have to start rooting round the VoD sites to satisfy our need for some stimulating TV.

Well, not any more. Up steps David Tennant once again with another slice of really, really – sickeningly, really – good drama.

He plays Will Burton, a disgustingly intelligent up-and-coming has-it-all defence barrister, a married father with hot and cold running houses and a dog, who can spot a flaw in the prosecution’s case faster than you can say ‘technicality’.

Hiding behind his ‘everyone deserves a defence’ mantra, he defends the almost indefensible – and he wins. Every time. Though it costs him, as he finds it nearly impossible to shake the hands of some of the more unsavoury people he represents. And so it is that he is persuaded to accept the case of an thoroughly unlikeable and totally arrogant man, who stands accused of the particularly horrific sexual murder of a young woman.

As you’d expect from Spooks’ writer David Wolstencroft, this three-part thriller sets a breathless pace from the opening credits of the first episode. Burton successfully defends two clients – including the accused murderer – in the opening half hour, but after this second successful case, the brilliant lawyer’s near-perfect world is shattered in the cruellest fashion.

This could easily have turned into a worldly Devil’s Advocate, but Tennant’s performance is pitch perfect. A lock of the jaw here, a sniff there, a refusal to shake a hand – all small touches that create a character so much greater than the sum of those tiny parts. Burton could, probably should, be impossible to like, but we’re with him all the way and his horror and pain at the end of a truly astonishing opening episode is tangible.

He’s aided and abetted by the wonderful Ashley Jensen, who plays his perfect wife, the mesmerising Sophie Okonedo as a rival lawyer, and Toby Kebbell – who channels Kevin Spacey in Se7en to play the genuinely creepy and unhinged Liam Foyle. Fans of the Inspector Dalgleish mysteries will probably also be pleased to see veteran Roy Marsden back on the screen in a small but telling role.

With Legacy, Lucan, The Great Train Robbery, Hostages, a second series of The Bridge and Stephen Moffatt’s small-screen leviathan Sherlock all set to grace our screens in the months to come, The Escape Artist could be the beginning of a beautiful new friendship with gripping TV drama.

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN OF IT

WHAT’S IT CALLED?

The Escape Artist

WHEN IS IT ON?

9pm, Tuesday, October 29

WHAT CHANNEL?

BBC1

WHO’S IN IT?

David Tennant, Ashley Jensen, Sophie Okonedo, Toby Kebbell, Roy Marsden

WHO SHOULD WATCH IT?

Fans of brilliant, breathless, tense, psychological drama

WHO SHOULDN’T WATCH IT?

Fools and eejits

Aunty Beeb’s belter of a Sunday night drama looks set to leave Vera clueless

We’ve previewed a fair few crime dramas recently – of varying quality – but the BBC’s new four-parter What Remains stands resolutely head and shoulders above Alibi’s fluffy Rizzoli and Isles and ITV stalwart Vera.

It’s fair to say the US import won’t trouble the terrestrial channels and their bitter ratings battle. But, chances are, there’s going to be some fur flying between the first and third channels as viewers start out their evening in the company of Brenda Blethyn and her cosy, comfy show, but end it glued to the screen as the credits roll on the stunning opener to the Beeb’s edgy addition to the schedules.

Be warned, though: What Remains is no ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am’ show, and it’s not big on exposition and flashy visuals,  either. It’s proper, old-fashioned grown-up telly of the highest order: slow-burning, beautifully shot and with a cast so classy that, if you cut it, it would bleed pure blue.

The story begins as a young couple (Amber Rose Revah and Russell Tovey) move into their new flat, one of five in a big, converted house. Shortly after arriving, discover their idyllic new home not only has an annoying water leak, but there’s the mummified body of a former resident in the attic.

Into the frame steps on-the-cusp-of-retiring copper Len (played by a simply mesmerising David Threlfall), who dutifully knocks on doors, asks all the right questions and leaves his card. Yet while his colleagues are quick to shrug off the sad, lonely death of Melissa Young, he just can’t get rid of the nagging suspicion that all is not well at 8 Coulthard Street – and as the first episode unfolds, it begins to look as if he’s absolutely right.

From Indira Varma’s flinty, aggressive lesbian to David Bamber’s officious, super-creepy teacher, the building’s inhabitants – both past and present – all appear to have something to hide.

Whether, of course, any of them had anything to do with shuffling shy, overweight Melissa off this mortal coil remains to be seen. In the meantime, we’re offered not only a meaty, nuanced crime drama to get our teeth into, but writer Tony Basgallop also manages to layer in a study of abject loneliness in this modern age of online connectivity.

What Remains was so good, we lapped up the second episode, which only confirmed our suspicions that it’s not only far, far better than cosy old Vera, but it’s going to wipe the floor with it over the next four weeks. Don’t miss it.

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN OF IT

WHAT’S IT CALLED?

What Remains

WHEN IS IT ON?

9pm, Sunday, August 25

WHAT CHANNEL (UK and IRELAND)?

BBC1

WHO’S IN IT?

David Threlfall, David Bamber, Steven Mackintosh, Russell Tovey, Indira Varma, Victoria Hamilton

WHO SHOULD WATCH IT?

Everyone. Really – no exceptions.

WHO SHOULDN’T WATCH IT?

Oh okay – maybe Brenda Blethyn should steer clear, lest she fume with jealousy.