ITV's new six-part drama Adultery launched tonight (October 25) with Romola Garai and Dominic Cooper starring as two parents who begin an affair after a chance meeting. Their relationship grows more complicated because their children are also in a relationship, creating a web of deception that threatens both families.
The programme's synopsis describes it as "a provocative love story of passion, parenthood and peril that raises questions about class, grief and the effects of social media." It focuses on two families and the love affair that threatens to uproot their lives.
Viewers spot A&E and accent details
Several viewers took issue with the show's portrayal of A&E, which appeared surprisingly empty. Dominic's character Tom was seen receiving treatment with remarkable speed, unlike real British A&E departments where patients often wait many hours.
One fan remarked: "F*** me he got seen to extremely quickly. My old man was waiting 15 hours the other week! I'll make sure I go to that hospital next time I have the unwanted misfortune of visiting AandE #Adultery." Another asked: "Did he get his broken wrist sorted that quickly because he's a GP?"
A third viewer was irritated by a different detail, writing: "I am enjoying #Adultery, but why has Tom got a posh Southern accent while his brother is pretty broad Northern? This kind of thing bugs me, but I shall persevere."
Mixed early responses
The series was penned by Danny Brocklehurst, who previously worked on Fool Me Once, Ten Pound Poms, Brassic and Lazarus. Speaking about the drama, he said: "This is a drama about passion and I've passionately wanted to write it for some time," describing it as "a show about how love and sex have the capacity to lift us to the highest highs and the lowest lows."
In the opening episode, fitness instructor Beth (Romola Garai) meets GP Tom (Dominic Cooper) for the first time after she strikes him with her car. After a trip to A&E where they discover an instant connection, their relationship rapidly develops.
Early responses have been divided, with some suggesting the series has got off to a sluggish start, while others have labelled it a "binge watch." All episodes are currently available to stream on ITVX, with new instalments also airing every Sunday and Monday night at 9pm on ITV1.
