A Bold Revival That Misses the Mark
The long-awaited return of the legendary Play for Today drama strand has finally arrived, but not on the BBC where it originally made its name. Instead, Channel 5 has taken up the mantle, reviving the title and basic format for a new four-part anthology series. While the announcement was initially met with excitement from television enthusiasts, the execution has proven deeply disappointing for those familiar with the radical legacy of the original.
From Radical to Relatable: A Shift in Tone
The BBC's Play for Today, which concluded over four decades ago, was renowned for its fearless approach. It regularly pushed contemporary boundaries and confronted viewers with challenging topics rarely seen on television at the time. Ben Frow, Channel 5's chief content officer, promised this new iteration would "reflect some of the thornier issues affecting our audience." However, the selected plays, while dealing with difficult subjects, feel overwhelmingly safe, relatable, and run-of-the-mill. The fresh, inventive, and often shocking quality that defined the strand is conspicuously absent.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
The series opener, Never Too Late, features Anita Dobson as Cynthia, a woman placed in a retirement village after a fall, and Nigel Havers as her charming ex-boyfriend Frank. Unfortunately, the potential for a nuanced exploration of ageing is squandered in what the review describes as a "banal pantomime" with a predictable plot and daytime soap-esque presentation.
Big Winners, written by Martha Watson Allpress, offers more dramatic weight. Starring Sue Johnston and Paul Copley, it delivers a devastating autopsy of a long-stagnant marriage, bolstered by exceptional performances and a bleak ending.
A Knock at the Door stars Alan Davies as a comedian confronted by a stranger, but the real-time thriller fails to deliver the ingenious twists audiences have come to expect from modern anthologies like Inside No 9.
The sole episode not focused on retirees is Special Measures, featuring Jessica Plummer as an overworked teacher during an Ofsted inspection. While brilliantly acted and naturalistic, its depiction of school underfunding feels depressingly familiar rather than groundbreaking.
A Calculated Move for an Older Audience
It is clear this revival has a specific target demographic. With three of its four instalments centring on retirees, the new Play for Today seems strategically designed to court older viewers. This is a pragmatic decision by Channel 5, considering a 2024 Ofcom report revealed that the over-65s watch more live TV than all under-54s combined.
While the revival provides a platform for four new one-off dramas in an era dominated by crime series and wealth-focused narratives, it ultimately plays it too safe. The review concludes that broadcasters must be willing to take far greater creative risks if they hope to discover the next Dennis Potter, Mike Leigh, or Stephen Poliakoff. The innovative spirit of the original Play for Today is still out there, but it won't be found in this tame and conventional reboot.
