Ordinary Lies (2015–2016) User Reviews

A few thoughts on the 1st episode

[tr91 · 7/10 · 18 March 2015]

At the time of writing, there has only been one episode so these are a few thoughts of mine based on the opening episode of Ordinary Lies.

My feelings overall are a bit mixed in places, I can see a lot of potential here for it to be a very good/great series but there is some major flaws. The characters seemed quite easily led and most of the situation could have been avoided if character X did this or character Y did that. There were some parts were I just couldn't take it too seriously (despite the subject matter being very serious). It was a bit awkward in places and sometimes it seemed unintentionally funny.

There was a lot of characters involved in the show and as far as I am aware, each episode will tell a story from a different person's perspective. I'm not sure if it will be a different story line for each character or whether it will all link together to the original lie told in episode 1 (if that is the case then perhaps my points above may be justified later on if we see it from a different perspective).

The acting was of a very good standard and there was plenty of familiar faces on show for those who watch a lot of British soaps/dramas. I was quite impressed with Jason Manford as well who I only know solely as a stand up comedian.

Despite it having a few issues thus far (which may not even be issues as the series progresses) I actually enjoyed it quite a lot. It had good pacing and plenty of stuff going on to keep me interested, the 1st hour went really quick and it was a nice easy viewing drama. I will certainly tune in for episode 2 where Michelle Keegan takes center stage.

If I had to compare it to another show, I would say it is similar to BBC drama The Syndicate.

A promising start.

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Edit: 9th April - Have now seen episodes 2, 3 & 4.

It seems each episode will focus on a different character and different storyline. The previous lies are only mentioned briefly (if at all). Despite originally thinking I would like some continuation with the series I am very much enjoying the concept of a new lie each week and learning more about character. It is a little frustrating that each episode seems to end without resolution and then that character appears at work as normal in the next episode but if you can take it as it is and just enjoy a different story each week then it's a very good drama series.

Ordinary Lies

[jboothmillard · 8/10 · 29 April 2015]

The trailer for this series on BBC1 made it look like a cross between a comedy and a drama, and it had a fantastic cast of comedy and soap stars that made it look even more appealing, the title made it obvious what it was about, and I'm happy to say I watched it all. Basically the series revolves around the lives of the "ordinary" people working at JS car dealership, all of whom have dark secrets, each episode sees an individual character's story escalate as their lies grow and shocking consequences occur, one character is usually focused more than others, but the other stories play out in each episode as well. Marty McLean (Jason Manford) is a down on his luck salesman who lies that his wife has died to keep his job, and in the process also gains the affections of lonely accountant Grace (Rebecca Callard, daughter of Coronation Street's Beverly, aka Liz McDonald). Tracy (Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan) is a receptionist at JS who becomes involved with drug trafficking, which causes her friend Viv (Cherelle Skeete) to get arrested abroad for possession. Kathy Kavanagh (Coronation Street's Sally Lindsay) is the personal secretary for showroom owner and boss Mike Hill (Hotel Babylon's Max Beesley) whose husband Ralf (Tony Maudsley) cannot give her sex and being celibate for years finds Niall (Holby City's Edward MacLiam), but they are forced to keep secret an attack they witness. Rick (Shazad Latif) is a mechanic having marriage troubles and staying as a guest at Mike's house, he becomes involved with Mike's fifteen year old daughter Ruby (Holly Earl), but he struggles with his feelings for her, knowing she is legally still a child, and it gets worse when, with her consent, he takes her virginity. Pete Blythman (Mackenzie Crook) is a car salesman who used to have a gambling addiction, he had an affair which resulted in a child, the woman he had an affair with and her new partner demand money and threaten he will no longer see his son, and he is also struggling to pay back money to loan companies. Beth Corbin (EastEnders' Jo Joyner) is the deputy manager, her husband Dave (EastEnders' Shaun Dooley) has been missing for sixteen months, in the meantime he has been having an affair with Mike, the police have found Dave just at the point when she was planning to settle with Mike, she struggles to allow Dave back into her life, and what to do about Mike. Also starring Ellie Haddington as Gina Corbin, George Bukhari as car salesman Fat Jason, The Inbetweeners' Belinda Stewart-Wilson as Alison Hill, Mike's estranged wife, Cucumber & Banana's Fisayo Akinade as mechanic Ziggy, The Bill's Cat Simmons as bride-to-be and JS worker Emma, Kris Mochrie as Jez, Emma's fiancé and Erin Shanagher as Katriana Mclean, Marty's wife. The cast all play their parts very well, and the characters they play are all interesting and easy to like, and the situations they get themselves into are actually really gripping, it is a realistic programme with stories you can relate to or just find yourself entranced with, a fantastic British television drama. Very good!

Good but a little disappointing

[nicolaiox-37789 · 7/10 · 4 May 2023]

Season 1 introduces the viewers to various characters at a car dealership but Season 2 picks up with all new characters in a sporting goods warehouse. Season 1 had many continuing stories so one would expect it to continue. A husband that was missing finally came home after a year and a half in the last episode and his wife started a new relationship with her boss so we wanted to see how that panned out and I assumed the story would pick up in Season 2. Another story had two co worker's go away and become drug mules and one got caught and the other one came back and continued to work at the dealership then she found out that the co worker that had gotten caught was being transferred to a prison in the UK and she was taking a week off to go and see her. We wanted to see what happened next but then all of a sudden the next season starts off with new storylines. One man cheated on his wife and had a six year old as a result and his wife was about to find out and then nothing they just start new stories with new characters. I haven't watched Season 2 yet but I suspect at the end there will be a few stories that don't get resolved.

Wooden Actress

[marksmith-61543 · 6/10 · 31 March 2015]

A fairly well written piece / series, but strongly spoilt by the actress who plays Janice as she was totally wooden. Seriously beggars belief there's not someone far, far better in the north of England. How far did they cast the casting net for this particular role? Really loved Michelle Keegan who is absolutely outstanding and totally contrasts to the Janice character. I suspect there'll be a second series & the first is certainly worth watching apart from the odd & somewhat strange choice of lower grade wooden actor or two. To be honest, looking at the cast list there appears to be a great many 'actors' who have appeared in other Manchester based dramas such as, Shameless, Clocking Off, Happy Valley, and the like. Surely, this isn't repetitive lazy casting. Just dragging in the same old faces without trawling the vast pot of talent that exists in the north west / Yorkshire?

Bizarre story with no ending

[qui_j · 2/10 · 21 July 2022]

The thing about TV series from the UK is that their stories seem to have no beginning or ending! Ordinary Lives is no different. The story starts off in total confusion and little context, then ends in a most unfulfilling manner. What was the point of it all, other than a colossal waste of time and effort to watch?