ITV1 drama Red Eye with Leicestershire star Richard Armitage is as enjoyable as it is unrealistic

Leicestershire’s Richard Armitage is clearly having the time of his life in his new ITV1 drama Red Eye - and if you suspend all disbelief, you will too after the first episode. Who wants realism when there’s a killer vegan dish on a plane?

Billed as tense and “jaw dropping” by the actor who was born and grew up in Huncote, near Blaby, Red Eye, which premiered on Sunday (April 21), sees Richard’s Dr Matthew Nolan accused of murdering a woman in China before flying home to the UK. And before he’s even had a moment to set his watch back to UK time, he’s back on a plane in cuffs - but with a G&T to hand - as all alleged criminals should.

In what is a confident first episode, Red Eye is not one for fans of UK Border Force procedure as Dr Nolan’s extradition to China is handled faster than you can say ‘unrealistic plot point’, but it serves the wider pace of the drama which wants to hook you in from the off as we see a bloodied Matthew escape a car crash in which he is seemingly alone.

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However, he is not as the daughter of a Chinese general was inside it too. Dr Nolan is convinced he was alone, with his declaration of innocence a recurring theme throughout the opening hour of the six-parter. Throw in a Benny Hill-esque chase scene through Heathrow Airport for good measure and you’ve got the perfect mix of action and slapstick at the same time.

Fool Me Once star Richard is a commanding presence on screens and makes for engaging viewing as Dr Nolan’s world seemingly crumbles around him. He and lead co-star Jing Lusi also work well as a pair, with Lusi’s DC Hana Li the typical overworked cop with a complicated backstory that is bound to be developed later on. If not, it’ll be a shame and a waste of her talents.

Vegans must also take note that not all of their meals will have deadly side-effects as the drama makes out, but realism is not Red Eye’s forte - and that is perhaps for the best. If you strap yourself in for some unrealistic but engaging escapism, then it’ll be a fun ride. Take it too seriously and it’ll be a turbulent experience - and far less enjoyable as a result.

Red Eye continues Sundays at 9pm on ITV1. The full series can be streamed now on ITVX.