| Jekyll: Series One |
| Written by Anita Connors | |
| Tuesday, 06 May 2008 | |
 Hopscotch Entertainment5/5 Dr Who meets The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in the six-part BBC production, Jekyll. At the hands of writer Steve Moffatt (Doctor Who, Coupling), the well-established history between science fiction and the gothic – think Frankenstein – has been overhauled into a spectacular, gripping, complex piece of television that is as unpredictable as it is entertaining. Indeed, armed with one of the funniest and most inventive scripts that has ever been on TV, Jekyll is perfect viewing. James Nesbitt stars as Dr Tom Jackman, a scientist struggling to hide a dark secret. So much so, he’s quit his job and has retreated from his wife Alice (Gina Bellman) and family to an underground apartment complete with a chair to lock himself into and a live-in psychiatric nurse, Katherine Reimer (Michelle Ryan). Why? Because when he lets his guard is down, his violent, infantile alter-ego Mr Hyde awakens to wreck havoc and womanise the whole of London. In addition to this, he soon discovers he’s under surveillance, but he can’t figure out by whom. If not for the script, watch Jekyll for the performances. Nesbitt is mesmerising as the doctor with split personality. Completely convincing as both Dr Jackman and Mr Hyde, it is fascinating to watch as he transforms from anxious and reserved to violent and blithe. Just as intriguing is the supporting cast. Most notably is Bellman whose character provides the heart and moral compass of the show. But look out also for Denis Lawson as sinister Mr Syme and Meera Syal and Fenella Woolgar as the detective lesbian duo and queens of the oneliner Miranda and Min. For lovers of great television, Jekyll is not to be missed. Extras: commentary, Anatomy of a Scene (in-depth analysis of ‘Inside the Lion’s Cage’), Jekyll: The Tale Retold |
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