Forever Home might start to feel like it’ll go on forever, as this latest Channel 5 drama runs for six nights over two weeks – Mon to Weds each week.
As we join the grumpy Robert Barrie (Douglas Henshall – The Revenge Club), his wife’s run off with Uncle Neil, and that’s the end of any mention in the house, it seems.
Fast forward 20 years and now, he’s dating Carol Crottie (Amy Nuttall – The Feud). The abode hasn’t had any sort of a woman’s touch in that time – still looking like it’s stuck in the ’70s. Plus, he’s put a sign on the cellar door marked “Asbestos. Do Not Enter.” – Erm… get it sorted out, then?
In fact…. I’d just be getting the hell out of there right now! It’s dangerous!
In any event, I thought asbestos was more likely to be found in a roof, not a cellar, but either way, since it’s a TV drama, it’s more likely to be a plot device, so everyone’s safe.
In the present day, the kids have grown up. Sally (Jenny Walser – Heartstopper) has live make-up tips on the Toktik – and is playing “How’s your father” with colleague Patrick (James Baxter – Alma’s Not Normal), while for Kaden (Lewis Cope) and his boyfriend, they’re about to bring a new life into the world. Which one’s giving birth?
So far, at the time of posting this, I’ve only seen the first episode, so I’ll watch the others as they go out – which is half the fun, as I’ll see what others say – but while Robert’s becoming increasingly erratic, it’s natural for a Channel 5 drama that there’s a daft cliffhanger.
Maybe, Aunt Bessie’s in the freezer?
Either way, I certainly wouldn’t go down into my cellar, since it’s full of spiders!
On that note, why is so much of Forever Home in the dark? Couldn’t they afford lights?
And you know it’s a work of fiction when Amy rings her pharmacy and they answer within one ring. I’m lucky if I get an answer at all!
Fun fact: While the main characters have the surname Barrie, Mrs Dawson is played by real-life human Hannah Barrie!
Additionally, let’s just hope this Graham Norton adaptation is better than 2022’s awful Holding, on ITV.
Thanks to our friends at Channel 5 for the screener prior to release.
Forever Home continues tomorrow night on Channel 5 at 9pm, the on Weds, and also runs Mon-Weds next week.
It’s not yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but when it is, it will be listed on the New DVD, Blu-ray, 3D and 4K releases UK page.
If you miss it, you can watch the each episode on My5.
Director: Paul Gay
Producer: Will Nicholson
Screenplay: Clara Salman
Novel: Graham Norton
Cast:
Carol Crottie: Amy Nuttall
Robert Barrie: Douglas Henshall
Sally Barrie: Jenny Walser
Kaden Barrie: Lewis Cope
Mrs Dawson: Hannah Barrie
Mrs Grainger: Elizabeth Edmonds
Moira Crottie: Denise Welch
Patrick Tanner: James Baxter
Sam: Sol Taibi
Sienna: Clara Salaman
Martha: Aimee Kelly
Daniel Evans: Shana Zaza
Silent Dave: Kevin Whately
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.