The new BBC thriller "The Rapture," adapted from Liz Jensen's bestselling novel, has drawn a polarized response from viewers. The five-part series, filmed in Wales, follows forensic psychologist Gabs Fox (Ruth Madeley) as she begins work at a high-security psychiatric hospital and meets 17-year-old Bethany Krall (India Amarteifio), who claims to have psychic powers and to be innocent of her mother's murder.
Second Episode Sparks Debate
The second episode aired on BBC One on July 27, with all episodes available on iPlayer. In the installment, Gabs tracks down a mystery woman from Bethany's drawings. A viral article shakes her trust, and a widespread blackout adds to the chaos. Viewers took to social media to share their thoughts.
Some were critical: one X user wrote, "This has gone really s***," while another called Bethany "annoying." Others found the plot "so far fetched" and "a bit slow." One viewer said it was "an hour of my life I'll never get back - cliched nonsense."
Praise for Performances and Writing
However, many praised the series. One viewer said they were "thoroughly invested" and found both writing and performances "utterly compelling," describing the show as "part psychological thriller, part apocalyptic thriller" that "feels so fresh." Another noted "great acting from the two female leads" and called it "surprisingly good." A third said, "About time there was something decent to watch at 9pm on a Sunday!!"
Novel's Acclaim
Liz Jensen's 2010 novel received widespread praise. One reader called it "nail-bitingly good," while another described it as "a masterpiece."
The Rapture is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
