Yahoo News The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies review: An utterly captivating con-man thriller
The drama premieres on the BBC on Tuesday, 29 August
📺 Where to watch The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies: Premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Tuesday, 29 August
⭐️ Our rating: 4/5
🍿 Watch it if you liked: Catch Me If You Can, Tinder Swindler
🎭 Who's in it?: Rebekah Stanton, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Alistair Petrie, Julian Barratt, Romola Garai, Sir Derek Jacobi.
⏰ How long is it? 5 episodes, approximately one hour each.
📖 What’s it about? When Alice suddenly sees her husband Robbie 15 years after his disappearance with a new name, job, and origin story she decides to investigate, and realises he is a con-man who has sets his sights on another woman, bestselling author Cheryl.
The con-man has often been glorified on the silver screen, made into a fantastical hero whose exploits should be celebrated, but the BBC's new drama The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies offers a new take on the narrative by focusing on the victims of such a man.
Read more: Everything you need to know about The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies
In the series the story is focused on two women, Alice Newman (Rebekah Stanton) and Cheryl Harker (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) who come from very different walks of life but who are brought together by the actions of one man: Dr Robert Chance (Alistair Petrie).
Rob is masquerading as a climate scientist now but to Alice he was named Robbie and they were once married until he suddenly disappeared with her family's life savings 15 years ago.
Alice is still facing the repercussions to this day but the police can't do anything about it, so she decides to find a way to get her revenge which brings her into Cheryl's orbit, the bestselling fantasy author who Rob has set his sights on as a new target.
The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies is an absolutely captivating watch that will have viewers desperately seeking out the next episode the moment the credits roll. This is namely thanks to the addictive nature of the story and how sharp, funny, and fast-paced the script by Ginny and Penelope Skinner is.
It engrosses viewers, sending us down the rabbit hole right alongside Alice as she becomes entangled in a web of lies in a bid to take down the man responsible for so much pain. This is a story of female rage let loose and it is approached in a refreshing and unique way, which is good given how many con-man films have come before.
Stanton is a wonder as Alice, she's a lead we don't often see celebrated onscreen: An ordinary woman who is messy, makes mistakes and is free to express her anger.
Jean-Baptiste also gives an incredible performance as Cheryl, she exudes dignity and class with her quiet yet powerful portrayal of the character, conveying the nuances of her emotions as the author continues to mourn her late husband while wrestling with Rob's machinations.
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Meanwhile, Petrie is both chilling and ridiculous as Rob as he hams up the character's egotistical nature for laughs in one moment only to switch gears in the next, showing the true monster that lurks underneath all that charm and bravado.
His performance makes it easy for viewers to hope Rob gets his comeuppance, but it's Stanton and Jean-Baptiste who are the true stand-outs of the show and keep us engaged from start to finish.
The BBC drama is full of twists and turns that'll keep viewers guessing, even if the show can sometimes struggle to find a fine balance between its humour and drama.
What other critics thought of The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies:
Evening Standard: Twisted, off-beat and quirky (4-min read)
Regardless, the show certainly delivers on its premise and the compelling characters and thrilling script helps bring a gripping story to the small screen.
The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, 29 August.
Watch the trailer for The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies:
