Channel 5's latest drama offering, Finders Keepers, debuted on the channel on Wednesday after weeks of anticipation for The Good Karma Hospital creator Dan Sefton's newest project.
Neil Morrissey leads the cast as law-abiding and all-round vanilla bloke Martin alongside on-screen wife Anne (played by Fay Ripley).
The two are joined by Inbetweeners legend James Buckley as the leading trio in the cast.
Buckley plays Martin's future son-in-law Ashley and in an effort to improve their bond, Ashley agrees to accompany Martin for a spot of metal detecting.
While he's usually unlucky in his efforts, Martin suddenly stumbles across an incredibly valuable hoard of Saxon treasure with Ashley by his side.
The pair made the discovery in Wednesday's opening episode and in the three episodes to follow, fans will see Martin and Ashley wrestle with the dilemma of whether to declare their haul or cash it in for themselves.
Brand new drama, tonight at 9pm ⬇️ #FindersKeepers pic.twitter.com/fTXmpisLw1
— Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) January 17, 2024
Inevitably, their decision won't come without its complications and repercussions.
The series, which continues Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 5, got off to a rather divisive start, with some claiming they wouldn't "stick" with the drama while others on social media branded it a "good old British drama".
But one thing that did appear to garner a unanimous verdict from viewers was just how easy it was for Martin and Ashley to discover the hidden gems.
Fans were quick to point out that the jewels would never have been buried so close to the surface and highlighted the implausibility that the duo would've been the first to discover them after centuries of being buried there.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the moment, one fan joked: "Wow #finderskeepers now on tv... some metal detectors there! All that ancient gold jewellery literally buried an inch under the soil! I think I might go buy one myself if that easy!"
A second hit out: "#FindersKeepers How ridiculous! Could have made the ground look like it hadn't been dug over last week!"
Elsewhere, a third added: "Watched #finderskeepers last night, I've realised where I'm going wrong. I've been digging too deep. All the Saxon gold is 1cm under the surface. Seriously, do a tiny bit of research."
Another also called for more reading to be done on the hobby: "#FindersKeepers Wow that was bad. From the start, I knew it wasn’t going to be good. It was never going to be The Detectorists but jeez they could have researched the hobby beforehand."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- BBC urged to sack 'overpaid presenters' as it sells iconic EastEnders set in desperate savings drive
- Jeremy Clarkson fans rejoice as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ITV return date confirmed amid cancel fears
- BBC Strictly's Neil Jones issues stern defence of fiancée as she's 'mum-shamed' over clip with newborn
Ashley and Martin face a major dilemma going forward in Finders Keepers
CHANNEL 5
Meanwhile, a fifth quipped about the ease in which Ashley and Martin made their discovery: "The sale of metal detectors going up as of tomorrow. #finderskeepers love Neil great to see him back."
Others wading into the debate on Wednesday evening focused their attention on praising the rest of the drama.
"Quite enjoyed the first episode of finders keepers the new original drama from @channel5_tv last night," one person argued. "Neil Morrissey and James Buckley actually form quite on screen duo #FindersKeepers #channel5 #original #drama."
And another viewer praised: "I have to say loving this new @channel5_tv #finderskeepers drama." (sic)
