Hearts and Bones (2000–2001) User Reviews (4)

A fantastic new drama series

[lithaanne · 10/10 · 12 June 2000]

This fantastic new TV drama from the BBC is about a small group of friends living in London and their various different relationships. Although similarities can be drawn with the very popular ITV series Cold Feet and numerous other "friends in London" style shows, this one is different in that it takes a slightly more serious angle with fewer laughs and is consequently much more realistic.

The voice over sections take a little getting used to and to begin with are a little confusing, but provide a channel through which we can (literally) hear the characters thinking, so creating an intimacy not achieved by other TV dramas.

The acting in this series is also great creating a group of really life like characters. Particularly notable is Dervla Kirwan who is fantastic as troubled Emma, married to one man but desperately in love with his brother. Known for her fantastic ability to create different accents, hers is, as always, absolutely perfect with no trace of her Irish background.

Dervla has been on our televisions quite a lot recently in various different roles and although probably most memorable in her role as Assumpta Fitzgerald in Ballykissangel (for which she won the National Television Award for Most Popular Actress), I think her part in this latest series is one of the best she has ever done. Hopefully we will be seeing more and more of her, perhaps even in films as well as on television.

Other cast members include Hugo Speer (of The Full Monty fame) as Richard, Emma's terribly attractive brother in law and Amanda Holden (from various other TV shows like Kiss Me Kate and Smack the Pony) as Louise his girlfriend, who are both really good.

This is a well-written drama with some interesting characters and great story lines. The most appealing is of course Emma and Rich's secret yearning for each other, but the terrible consequences that ensue from this deep desire and Emma's recklessness result in a fantastic cliff hanger ending leaving us all longing for the next series that will hopefully be aired on the BBC sometime next year.

the best in its genre

[ehtrym · 10/10 · 29 July 2005]

This drama series, brilliantly written by Stewart Harcourt, is still one of my favorites in its genre of all time. Numerous series are written about groups of friends and I can't really pinpoint why this one stands out. Maybe it's just the normality, the fact that it's all very realistic and not overdone. The people in it are just ordinary people like you and me; a butcher, a hairdresser, a teacher and so on. Magnificent acting by Amanda Holden, Hugo Speer, Damian Lewis, Dervla Kirwan, Sarah Parish and many more gave Hearts and Bones just that extra spark. Especially Sarah Parish, who played the somewhat bitchy Amanda, delivered her lines with verve.

It was great that after a brilliant first series, the 2nd series was a bit more about Michael and Amanda. Also, in the 2nd series, after the unfortunate departure of Mark (Damian Lewis), Lloyd Owen appears as horrible James. Given that you already started to almost care about the group of friends you almost immediately take against James, who keeps saying: "This could be the key to all happiness, it's all about the spin" to almost every single one of the friends. Still, without him it wouldn't have been the same.

It's a shame only two series were made, I think there was still a lot of potential to develop it further. Maybe people didn't like it because of the voice-over, to me it made it even better; it made me feel there were no hidden agendas, you knew what they all thought, how they felt and why they did certain things.

I keep hoping one day a DVD will be released. I know there are more people who would like that because it was great drama and good entertainment!!

I loved it.

[JOANB1346 · 9 August 2003]

This was a great series. I saw all episodes except numbers one and seven. If anyone knows where to get the series please let me know. I also want to know if there is a second series out or coming out. I am a Damian Lewis fan. Loved his role as Mark. I know he won't be in the second series but any information would be appreciated.

A fine example of the ensemble piece genre.

[dennis-111 · 9/10 · 13 June 2000]

A fantastic piece of work by Stuart Harcourt, who has managed to create a series in which you actually like all the characters - what a feat. Even Emma's boss inspired a kind of sympathy. To actually care what happens to all the characters is an emotion not usually inspired in viewers of this kind of genre - Cold Feet achieved a similar effect.

A special mention for Amanda Holden who managed to pull off a magnificent performance as Louise Slaney, the not so hard bitten "seen it all" kind of 90's broad. She was inspired. The lines generously sent her way were not wasted - her voice over from the other side of Michael's door in the final episode was a gem of delivery.

Thanks goodness another series has been commissioned. Can we wait a year - thats the big question?