No, it\u2019s also because, ahead of release, it\u2019s an absolute mystery. We know some of the character details \u2013 David Tennant is playing a vicar \u2013 and we know the basic locations \u2013 with Stanley Tucci\u2019s Jefferson Grieff in an American prison on death row. But that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n
While all this secrecy can be frustrating, it also helps to build that anticipation, as you have to assume there\u2019s a very good reason for it. Well, rest assured \u2013 there is, and we certainly won\u2019t be ruining that here.<\/p>\n
Inside Man is a devilishly, deliciously dark piece of drama, hinging on a string of catastrophically bad decisions made throughout the first episode. Audible gasps could be heard at an early screening ahead of its BBC One premiere, and it\u2019s easy to imagine that effect being replicated nation-wide, even for those who see the impending doom coming.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/390442-4c9b753.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>If you\u2019ve been paying attention then the \u2018reveal\u2019 may be semi-predictable by the time it arrives, but that doesn\u2019t lessen its effect. Because it\u2019s less about what is made known, and more about how things transpire, the gradual build-up of tension to the point where you can see what\u2019s going to occur and are yelling at your TV in desperation for it not to.<\/p>\n
This is down to two things \u2013 some incredibly tight, dramatic writing from Moffat, and some undeniably brilliant performances, particularly from Tennant.<\/p>\n
The fact that he\u2019s so engaging in this is not at all surprising. Viewers have known for years that he\u2019s one of the most talented actors working in TV, and here he proves it once again with a delightfully complex character.<\/p>\n
In fact, all of the central cast bring their A-game to the series. Dolly Wells is magnificent in her frequently-surprising role of Janice, while Lydia West perhaps has the least to do but still brings a welcome strength and decency to this cast of deeply troubled characters. Which brings us neatly on to Stanley Tucci\u2026<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/390388-874f62d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>There are two central plot strands at play in the series, with one focussing on Tennant\u2019s vicar, the other on Tucci\u2019s death row inmate. There\u2019s no denying Tucci\u2019s is the less gripping of the two, and the less narratively propulsive. However, it\u2019s to the show\u2019s strength that the two never feel of a separate world \u2013 they mesh surprisingly neatly.<\/p>\n
And when it comes to Tucci himself, he is, of course, phenomenal. In lesser hands Grieff could be a character we\u2019ve seen before, a darker version of Sherlock making big assumptions and outsmarting those around him, while showing an indifference towards social niceties. But he\u2019s such a distinctive and charismatic actor that every scene with him remains captivating.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not to say Inside Man is perfect. It takes a while to build up and the first episode can feel clunky at times as the plot gets into gear and the characters have to behave in slightly outlandish ways to move it forward.<\/p>\n
The dialogue is also typically Moffat \u2013 for better or worse. At the start of episode 1, and even after some of the darker elements of the story have kicked in, all of the characters are quipping. At one point Harry is described as a \u201cfunny vicar\u201d but in truth any of these characters could be described that way in the first episode \u2013 there\u2019s a funny maths tutor, a funny journalist, even a funny murderer.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/390382-955c5dc.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>There\u2019s also a whole lot of verbal and intellectual sparring going on. There\u2019s a line in the trailer<\/a> in which Tucci\u2019s Grieff says: \u201cEveryone is a murderer, you just have to meet the right person\u201d. It\u2019s not a one-off \u2013 there\u2019s a lot of grand, slightly comical statements on big topics, from crime, to religion, to morality.<\/p> However, all of these quibbles aside there\u2019s no denying that Inside Man is engaging television, and having seen further episodes beyond the series opener, that doesn\u2019t let up. In fact, as things progress and the story becomes more clearly defined, it\u2019s very much to the series\u2019 benefit. Episode 2 feels like a step up and is well worth sticking around for, even if you\u2019re unconvinced by the first.<\/p>\n That\u2019s perhaps Moffat\u2019s greatest trick here \u2013 keeping the tension ratcheting up even when you think it\u2019s reached its peak, with another twist always around the corner. And with so little known about the series ahead of time, that means there\u2019s a whole lot of surprises in store.<\/p>\n Inside Man is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday 26th September. Check out more of our\u00a0Drama<\/a>\u00a0coverage or visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0to see what\u2019s on tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>subscribe now<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and get the next 12 issues for only \u00a31. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the\u00a0<\/strong>Radio Times podcast<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with Jane Garvey.<\/strong><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n By James Hibbs Published: Thursday, 22 September 2022 at 12:00 am It\u2019s fair to say that Inside Man arrives with some fairly lofty expectations \u2013 not only because of creator Steven Moffat\u2019s own pedigree, or even the immensely talented and widely popular cast he has assembled. No, it\u2019s also because, ahead of release, it\u2019s an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":22486,"template":"","categories":[5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy.jpg",1920,1280,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/inside-man-review-a-dark-gripping-thriller-which-earns-its-secrecy.jpg",1920,1280,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By James Hibbs Published: Thursday, 22 September 2022 at 12:00 am It\u2019s fair to say that Inside Man arrives with some fairly lofty expectations \u2013 not only because of creator Steven Moffat\u2019s own pedigree, or even the immensely talented and widely popular cast he has assembled. No, it\u2019s also because, ahead of release, it\u2019s an…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/22485"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"