The Gathering is a British mystery thriller television series for Channel 4 written by Helen Walsh. The series was broadcast from 14 May 2024.
Synopsis
A girl is attacked at a rave in Merseyside, with the perpetrator being from a group of suspects from a wide range of backgrounds.[1] The producer Simon Heath called the series "an exploration of toxic teenagers - and their even more toxic parents".[2]
Cast
- Sadie Soverall as Jessica
- Eva Morgan as Kelly
- Vinette Robinson as Natalie - Jessica's mother.
- Warren Brown as Paul - Kelly's father
- Richard Coyle as Jules
- Sonny Walker as Adam
- Luca Kamleh-Chapman as Bazi
- Hebron Tedros as Dessie
- Max Johnson as Tate
Production
The six-part series marks the television writing debut for novelist Helen Walsh.[3] The series is produced by World Productions and was commissioned by Channel 4 in 2022. The series is directed by Gareth Bryn and Amanda Blue, and produced by Graham Drover, with executive producers Simon Heath, Laura Cotton, alongside Walsh and Bryn.[4]
Filming got underway in Liverpool in July 2023.[5] Filming locations in Liverpool included outside the Liverpool Empire Theatre on William Brown Street.[6] By October 2023, filming had moved to The Wirral. Filming locations included Red Rocks in Hoylake, King's Drive in Caldy,[7] the Witley estate in Moreton, Black Horse Hill Junior School,[8] and Benllech in Anglesey.[9]
Broadcast
The six-part series aired in the UK on Channel 4 from 14 May 2024.[10]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Gareth Bryn | Helen Walsh | 14 May 2024 |
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Gareth Bryn | Helen Walsh | 15 May 2024 |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Amanda Blue | Helen Walsh | 21 May 2024 |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Amanda Blue | Helen Walsh | 22 May 2024 |
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Gareth Bryn | Helen Walsh | 28 May 2024 |
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Gareth Bryn | Helen Walsh | 29 May 2024 |
Reception
Critical response
Lucy Mangan of The Guardian awarded the series three stars out of five, remarking "It all works well enough, while remaining slightly underbaked. You feel as though a decision should have been taken earlier on to decide which, among the many things it almost is, it should have properly been. A murder mystery? An interrogation of class and its barriers? A drama for and about teenage lives and concerns? A portrait of the toll elite sports take on their participants? It gestures towards all of these but doesn’t deliver satisfactorily on any count."[11]
Steven McIntosh of the BBC, while bemoaning the clichéd flash-forward in the opening scene of the series, said, "but once the plot spools back and the series finds its groove, it is superb. The Gathering is filled with well-rounded, believable characters who grapple with a smorgasbord of contemporary themes."[12]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Monte-Carlo Television Festival | Best Series | The Gathering | Won | [13] |
| Best Actor | Warren Brown | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Eva Morgan | Won |
References
- ^ Warner, Sam (27 July 2023). "Winx Saga star leads cast for brand new Channel 4 drama". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "The Gathering: Channel 4 teen drama turns tables on toxic parents". BBC News. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ Gordon, Naomi (27 July 2023). "Channel 4 confirms cast for The Gathering from Line of Duty producer". Radio Times. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (27 July 2023). "'The Gathering': Channel 4 Sets Cast For Drama From 'Line Of Duty' Producer World Productions". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Hadfield, Charlotte (31 July 2023). "New drama filmed across Merseyside that's coming to Channel 4". Liverpool Exho. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Hadfield, Charlotte (3 August 2023). "Filming for new Channel 4 drama from Line of Duty producers takes over city street". Liverpool Exho.
- ^ {{cite along with filming in Moreton. web|first=Chloe|last=Nightingale|url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/23827247.new-channel-4-drama-gathering-filmed-wirral/%7Cwebsite=Wirral Globe|title= New Channel 4 drama The Gathering being filmed in Wirral|date=2 October 2023}}
- ^ "New TV drama filmed in Wirral The Gathering airs tonight". Wirral Globe. 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Flares, fires and replica police cars in Anglesey village for filming of TV 'whodunnit'". Daily Post. 13 October 2023.
- ^ Mensah, Katelyn (1 May 2024). "Line of Duty, Vigil producers' thriller The Gathering air date confirmed". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- ^ Mangan, Lucy (14 May 2024). "The Gathering review – elite gymnastics thriller is like somersaulting off a cliff". The Guardian.
- ^ McIntosh, Steven (8 May 2024). "The Gathering: Channel 4 teen drama turns tables on toxic parents". BBC.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (18 June 2024). "British Thriller 'The Gathering' Wins Best Series, Actress, Actor at Monte-Carlo Television Festival". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
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