Ridley Road: What the Must Watch reviewers think

Thursday 7 October 2021, 9:43

Every week, the Must Watch podcasters review the biggest TV and streaming shows.

This week Hayley Campbell and Scott Bryan review Ridley Road on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Set in the sixties and based on Jo Bloom’s novel, the four part drama takes place in the East End of London where far right fascism is on the rise. Vivien Epstein (played by Aggi O’Casey) follows her lover, Jack Morris (played by Tom Varey) into danger and finds herself going undercover with fascists.

BBC/Red Productions

Scott says: "Dive directly into the second episode after the first"

"This is another example of how a television drama can teach us something vital about our past, or highlight people who did something that deserves greater recognition.

"It also warns us of how history can repeat itself and the consequences if we do not do enough to combat anti-Semitism and fascism today.

"It’s well acted and it is an interesting, fascinating story. My only criticism is that it takes a little while to get into (there’s a fair bit of pre-amble). However, all four episodes are able to be watched now on iPlayer. I would recommend diving directly into the second episode after the first, as it picks up a bit.

"But I can’t fault it otherwise – I thought it was great."

BBC/Red Productions

Hayley says: "Bleak and timely"

"I think it’s really good. It’s bleak and timely. I think the cast are excellent, and do their jobs well. I think the conversation about visual representation and Jewish people is valid — Sarah Silverman talked about this recently on her podcast, responding to the news that Katherine Hahn has been cast in a limited series about the life of Joan Rivers, that is well worth a look. And it’s something David Baddiel has been talking about for some time, including in his book Jews Don’t Count. But all of that aside, I can’t fault the acting. Eddie Marsan and Tracy Ann-Oberman are particularly great, but then they always are.

"I also really like that they blend documentary footage from the 60s, not just from the rallies, but stuff from around Ridley Road market – they are cut it into the drama almost seamlessly - and I love seeing old footage like that because there are faces you don’t see anymore, apart from in documentary footage of old London. They’re usually standing by a pie shop or holding an eel or something. We get little snippets of things that are long gone, that give the drama a sense of place that you wouldn’t get if it was just footage of a set and some actors.

"There are some parts of the show that can come off a little cartoonish – especially around the women in the hair salon, but I’ve been to salons that were like a cartoon so I can forgive that. I think it’s great."