Hearts and Bones (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.