BBC’s latest drama The Girl Before got off to a disappointing start for many BBC viewers – with many citing sound issues and “cringeworthy” dialogue.
The four-part series is based on the bestselling book, which has sold over one million copies since it was released in 2016.
The programme follows Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) – who gets to move into a futuristic, ultra-minimalist house designed by a mysterious architect played by David Oyelowo.
It hosts a star-studded cast such as former EastEnders star Jessica Plummer, who plays Emma in the show, and fellow EastEnders actor Ben Hardy, who plays Emma’s boyfriend Simon.
(Image: BBC/42/Amanda Searle)
However, when the show premiered on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday – many fans were gutted and vented their frustration on Twitter.
One fan wrote: “This is painfully slow starting.”
A second penned: “Terrible and cringeworthy acting. Feel like I’m watching a sixth form stage production”
A third took issue with the audio – as many of the actors whispering their lines.
They said: “Some v. talented performers on The Girl Before -which is why I can’t help but think it’s a directorial decision to get just about all of them (apart from the white guys?) to whisper all their dialogue in a pretentiously unrealistic unnaturalistic manner.”
Another agreed as they sarcastically said: “*Whisper* Do you want to know a secret?”
Giving fans a synopsis of the show, the BBC website said: “There’s just one catch: the occupants must abide by his list of exacting rules.
“Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways, but when she makes the shocking discovery about her predecessor Emma (Jessica Plummer), she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities.
“As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before…”
Speaking about when she walked onto the set of the show, Jessica said: “Walking into One Folgate Street and seeing the set was breathtaking.
“It was probably my favourite filming location. It did feel the same way as my character described it – like a fortress. I felt so safe, relaxed and comfortable there.”
Ben said of his character: “It’s a really interesting character to play for numerous reasons.
“I won’t give too much away but it’s interesting because he’s very much a beta to Edward’s alpha male. It was often quite uncomfortable to play that, but I think it’s quite good.”
David Oyelowo, who plays the architect, revealed: “There are things about Edward Monkford that I relate to. He is a perfectionist, very particular about certain things. I like to think that I’m a milder version of that, though my wife may beg to differ.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
