New drama This Town debuted on the BBC on Easter Sunday as the brainchild of Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight, and the opening instalment left viewers very divided.
The programme is set around Birmingham and follows an extended family and group of youngsters who are drawn into the Midlands’ two-tone music scene at the dawn of the 1980s.
Taking to social media as the first episode aired, some fans confessed they weren’t impressed by the series so far.
On X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: “The IRA storyline in #ThisTown feels a bit clunky. Even a bit tasteless. I was hoping the whole thing would feel a lot more like Sing Street (the terrific Irish film). Liked some of it. Great shot from the Tame Valley canal at the end.”
“Well i hope #ThisTown picks up a bit as wasnt impressed tonight,” another shared.
A third complained: “Slow - tries to be gritty - worked around nechells, Aston , Lozels during the riots - not a happy time - give it another go tomorrow for the Music.”
Some branded This Town 'distorted' while others praised the debut instalment
BBC
Another fumed: “That was SO bbc... in all the worst ways,” while someone else agreed: “Not overly impressed with the first episode of this town nothing there to immediately grab me and make me want to see the rest of it.”
“Bring back heartbeat, the royal, call the midwife. what was this pile of distorted c**p. a hard watch, a poor script, only saved by a inserted soundtrack to knit it together. typical bbc cack,” another viewer penned.
However, not everyone was in agreement and some enjoyed the first of the six-part series.
“I found this drama, EXCELLENT! Perfect Brummie accents. Award winning acting, well done,” one X user added.
This Town debuted on Easter Sunday as the brainchild of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight
BBC
A different viewer posted: “Folks slagging off #ThisTown . People have really short attention spans saying it's 'to slow' and focusing on the fact the locations 'have led lighting' . WTF. I grew up with these guys and I feel totally at home watching this program. Looking forward to the next one.”
A synopsis for the show reads: “Set in a world of family ties, teenage kicks and the exhilarating music of a generation, This Town tells the story of a band’s formation against a backdrop of violence, capturing how creative genius can emerge from a time of madness.
“Both a high octane thriller and a family saga, This Town opens in 1981 at a moment of huge social tensions and unrest.
“Against this backdrop, it tells the story of a group of young people fighting to choose their own paths in life, and each in need of the second chance that music offers.”
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Set in 1981, the story takes place amid social tensions and unrest
BBC
Meanwhile, leading man Levi Brown, who stars as protagonist Dante Williams, recently opened up about some unexpected results that came from filming the series.
He admitted: “One of the biggest challenges was the guitar. My fingers are not my fingers anymore.
“They were sort of broken and healed over and now I have got guitar hands.”
