Jack Thorne's new drama Falling, starring Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu, attempts to explore a forbidden romance between a nun and a priest, but the result is a disjointed and unconvincing affair. The series, set in Bristol, follows Anna (Hawes), a nun who has lived a sheltered life for 20 years, and Father David (Essiedu), a dynamic young priest working with impoverished parishioners. Despite a stellar cast, the central relationship fails to ring true, with dialogue and behaviour that often feel unrealistic.
The show's inauthenticity is evident from the start. Anna's interactions are oddly childlike, such as when she enthusiastically tells a grocer, 'YOU are lovely, Graham! THESE are vegetables!' This lack of believable adult behaviour undermines the supposed depth of her character. Similarly, David often appears more like a 'deer caught in headlights' than a man grappling with his emotions, particularly when Anna confesses her love after a minor incident involving a burn.
The plot moves quickly but unconvincingly: Anna abandons the convent after a single romantic gesture, and her transition to secular life is reduced to a haircut and shaving her legs. The question of breaking religious vows is barely addressed, suggesting Thorne is out of his comfort zone. Meanwhile, David's backstory is revealed piecemeal, and he clashes with Bishop Peter (Jason Watkins) over church spending priorities.
However, the series finds stronger ground in subplots involving David's troubled teenage parishioner, his fractious but loving relationship with his sister Susan (Sophie Stone), and his work giving last rites. These moments hint at the state-of-the-nation drama Thorne is known for, but they are overshadowed by the unconvincing romance. Falling ultimately feels like a swing and a miss, though Thorne will likely return with something better soon.
