Sarah Lancashire stars in Channel 4’s gripping 2019 drama, The Accident, which is created by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne…

ooking for a gripping crime drama to watch this weekend? Channel 4 has an impressive collection of binge-worthy shows to get stuck into, from brand new dramas to hidden gems you might have missed when they first aired.

One harrowing series that might have passed you by upon its 2019 release is The Accident.

The four-part series is set in a ‘left behind’ community in Wales, where a new construction project offers a glimmer of hope until a disastrous accident leaves many locals dead. Sarah Lancashire stars as Polly, the wife of the local politician who secured the project. In grief, the community is torn apart, and it’s up to Polly to hold the town together.

© Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo
Genevieve Barr, Sarah Lancashire, Mark Lewis Jones star in The Accident

The drama also stars the likes of BAFTA winner Joanna Scanlan and Mark Lewis Jones (Outlander). But if the impressive cast list isn’t enough to convince you to tune in, perhaps the fact that it’s created by Jack Thorne will. The multi-award-winning screenwriter is the mastermind behind Emmy and Golden Globe-winning drama Adolescence, as well as the BBC’s acclaimed adaptation of Lord of the Flies and Netflix’s hard-hitting miniseries Toxic Town.

Plus, with just four, 50-minute episodes, The Accident is the perfect two-night weekend binge. Keep reading to find out more about the show.

What is The Accident about?

The series is set in the fictional community of Glyngolau – a ‘left behind’ town in Wales, where a large construction project offers hope for a brighter future. But when an explosion, followed by a disastrous collapse, leaves many dead, the community is devastated.

The synopsis continues: “Polly is the wife of the local politician (Mark Lewis Jones) who championed the project. Their rebellious daughter, Leona (Jade Croot) broke onto the site on the day of the explosion, but now is left with a lifelong disability after the disaster.

© Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo
The series is set in a ‘left behind’ community in Wales

“As grief gives way to a torrent of anger and blame, the community finds itself torn apart. It falls to Polly to hold the town together and face the challenging truths that emerge.”

Who stars in The Accident?

Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) leads the cast as Polly, while Mark Lewis Jones (The Crown) plays her husband, local councillor Iwan Bevan and Jade Croot (Steeltown Murders) portrays their rebellious daughter, Leona Bevan.

© David M. Benett, Getty
Sarah Lancashire leads the cast of the drama

Also starring in the cast are Sidse Babett Knudsen (Prime Target), Nabhaan Rizwan (Dope Girls), Joanna Scanlan (Riot Women), Eiry Thomas, Genevieve Barr (Liar) and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin & Stacey).

What have viewers and critics said about the show?

The series has been described by viewers as “extremely harrowing” and “great TV”.

One person wrote on social media: “I’m rewatching #TheAccident with the superb Sarah Lancashire! 4 episodes and heart wrenching,” while another penned in an online review: “This is a terrific piece of British television. It is beautifully written and beautifully acted in a simple, truthful and understated way.”

© Helen Williams/BBC
Joanna Scanlan (pictured in Riot Women) also stars in the series

A third viewer said the show was “definitely worth seeing,” while another hailed Sarah Lancashire’s performance as “genius”.

Meanwhile, The Guardian described the drama as a “sweeping, harrowing look at how the aftershock of a disaster ripples out into people’s lives” in its four-star review. The Independent also handed out four stars, hailing the show as “devastating” while praising Jack Thorne’s skilful storytelling.

The Accident is available to stream on Channel 4.