The BBC's latest drama, Two Weeks in August, premiered on Saturday night, but many viewers were quick to express their disappointment. Written and created by Catherine Shepherd, the series features a star-studded cast and follows a group of friends reuniting for a summer getaway in Greece. However, the show has been criticised for being predictable, boring, and difficult to hear.
Plot Overview
Set on a Greek island, the story centres on Zoe, played by Jessica Raine, who goes on holiday with her family and friends to rediscover joy in her life. What begins with an illicit kiss quickly turns into a nightmare. The official synopsis reads: 'Zoe begins to act on her deepest desires and the holiday she hoped for becomes a reckoning for a group of adults who refuse to grow up. When they discover they are trapped on the island and face life-or-death situations, the group turns on each other.'
Cast and Premiere
The cast includes Damien Molony, Hugh Skinner, Tom Goodman-Hill, Leila Farzad, Nicholas Pinnock, and Antonia Thomas. The first two episodes aired on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, May 23.
Viewer Reactions
Many viewers took to social media to voice their frustrations. One wrote on X: 'They're all loathsome so I've given up halfway into the first episode.' Another added: 'Not grabbing me so far, really weird.' A third commented: 'Another boring predictable story.' Some viewers also noted that the show was filmed in Malta, not Greece, which added to their disappointment.
Sound issues were a common complaint. One viewer said: 'Why, in all BBC dramas, is the sound so muffled and unintelligible?' Another added: 'Sound is so muffled. Can't hear what anyone is saying. If it doesn't get better, I'll be switching off.'
However, not all reactions were negative. Some viewers enjoyed the drama, with one saying: 'Quite enjoying this,' and another adding: 'So nice to see Jessica Raine in Two Weeks in August.'
What Happens Next?
The first episode ends with Zoe and her family arriving on the island, but her husband Dan's dark secret threatens to ruin everything. After a hedonistic party, a chain of events is set off that changes the group forever. Viewers can binge-watch all eight episodes on iPlayer or wait for new episodes on BBC One every Saturday night.
