What's the story?
Politics? Religion? Caterpillar cakes?
I'm not asking for an opinion.
Phew. What then?
A new five-part drama set to air on STV this week, centring on a tense police surveillance investigation into a tight-knit Manchester community.
The plot idea was coined by Fleabag and Killing Eve director Harry Bradbeer. Viewpoint seeks to explore "whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect".
Noel Clarke, whose past roles include Doctor Who and Bulletproof, leads the cast as DC Martin Young, a surveillance detective attempting to glean crucial insight into the disappearance of a primary school teacher.
Tell me more.
Clarke's character needs to monitor the property that the missing teacher shares with her boyfriend, the prime suspect in her disappearance.
He finds a perfect perch to set up an observation post in the home of single mum and secret voyeur, Zoe Sterling, played by Alexandra Roach (who starred in Channel 4's darkly funny police procedural drama No Offence, also directed by Bradbeer).
READ MORE: The Scots writer behind star-studded thriller The Rig being filmed in Edinburgh
Who else is in the cast?
Bronagh Waugh plays DC Stella Beckett, with Amy Wren as missing teacher Gemma Hillman and Fehinti Balogun as her boyfriend Greg Sullivan.
When can I watch?
Viewpoint begins on Monday, STV, 9pm. It then continues over consecutive nights.
- This article was updated on April 30, 2021 to include the following statement from ITV regarding its decision not to broadcast the final episode of Viewpoint:
“ITV has a zero tolerance policy to bullying, harassment and victimisation and robust procedures in place to investigate and deal with any complaints. We strongly believe that everyone deserves to work in a supportive and safe environment.
In light of the very serious nature of the allegations against Noel Clarke raised by 20 women in the Guardian’s report, ITV has decided it is no longer appropriate to broadcast the final episode of the drama Viewpoint on ITV main channel this evening.
“We are mindful that some of our viewers have already invested four hours of their time over the past four nights in following this thriller which was due to conclude this evening, and they have yet to see the final episode. As such we plan to make it available on ITV Hub tonight for a limited time for any viewers who wish to seek it out, and watch its conclusion.”
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