The Outcast just recently wrapped up on BBC. The mini-series is based on the novel by the same name, which was authored by Sadie Jones. The series initially caught my attention, when viewers claimed it to be too depressing to watch. The series follows the life of Lewis Aldridge (Finn Elliot and George MacKay).
The series starts out, by introducing us to Lewis and his mother, Elizabeth Aldridge (Hattie Morahan). The pair seem to have a wonderful, loving relationship. After the war has ended, Elizabeth’s husband, Gilbert (Greg Wise), returns home. Although we never see anything before this point, Gilbert seems like a fairly stand offish type of guy, who was likely changed, by the war.
Gilbert seems unwilling to embrace his son and wife. We are shown Lewis hanging out with his friends, Kit Carmichael (Jessica Barden) and Tamsin (Daisy Bevan), among others. His life seems fairly normal and cheerful for a young boy.
One day, young Lewis (Finn Elliot) and his mother head to a local swimming hole, where Lewis’s life is changed forever. After his mother’s death, Lewis experiences depression and chaos. Gilbert continues his emotionless ways and quickly takes up a new girly friend, Alice (Jessica Brown Findlay).
From this point on, Lewis continues spiraling out of control. It is obvious he needs help, help that nobody is willing to give him. Instead, his father’s solution is to spend him off to school and belittle him emotionally. Eventually, Lewis acts out and seeks his revenge against a community, which has turned against and ignored him.
Unfortunately, things continue down into the deep dark hole of bleakness, but there are a few rays of hope to be found. After Lewis is punished for his retribution, he finds a friendship with the Carmichael girls and lands a job from their father, Dicky Carmichael (Nathaniel Parker). Of course, all is not what it seems to be. The rich Carmichael family has their own history, which is conveniently hidden from view.
The Outcast Review
In order to prevent myself from spoiling too much, I’ll stop there. So, how was the 2-part mini-series? First and foremost, each and every one of the actors should be credited for their brilliance. Finn Elliot, Greg Wise, Nathaniel Parker, and Jessica Brown Findlay were all excellent and helped to lend credence to their respective roles. Of course, there is no denying that George MacKay steals the majority of the show, with Jessica Barden also proving to be exceptionally impressive.
As for the story, yes, it is very depressing. At the same time, some aspects are a little bit predictable, but i tend to believe this is brought about by the realistic nature of the show. Although a lot happens in the show, it is definitely a slow burner. Of course, this helps to give the viewer time to contemplate every impactful scene and action.
Ultimately, BBC’s The Outcast is wonderful and very insightful. The story could very well relate to many families in today’s society all across the world. Some people refuse to watch bleak shows, because they simply hit too close to home and The Outcast does that. This is what the disastrous Boyhood film should’ve been, but it is not. The Outcast is tremendously better!
With The Outcast and other brilliant shows coming out of Britain, I am currently in negotiations with Comcast to give me Britain television networks and not the half baked version known as BBC America or the nit picking of PBS. Time to stop rambling, The Outcast is brilliant and everyone should take the time to watch it.
Ultimately, I would score it a 9.5 out of 10. There is no doubt that The Outcast is one of the best TV shows of 2015, regardless of region.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
Hi, Jay Skelton! I’m from Russia and went to read a review from the UK, I don’t know how popular this resource is, but I hope it’s popular. I watched this film because of the high international rating, but I have an opinion that this film was only watched in the UK. Absolutely weak film, all three hours-my mother died. Incoherent emotions of the characters at any stage of the film, the motivation of all the characters is unclear, and most importantly – the main character. The target audience is women who live in this “dirty” society, who are sure that the whole world lives like this. That’s not true! The motivation is always there. Everything in the film is emphasized in one plane – power, violence, hypocrisy, false love. And it’s all completely incoherent, even Hitler kissed his children goodnight, and he had a woman he loved. Thus, all the characters are completely empty, and the events are not motivated by anyone and are completely incoherent.
Thus, all the characters are completely empty, and the events are not motivated by anyone and are completely incoherent.
Hey there Evgeny. Hope you’re doing well and thanks for chiming in. I originally watched this show in 2015 and remember very little about it now except that I think I enjoyed it. I do recall it being very bleak and like you said some of the characters were empty. I’d have to go back and rewatch it to form an honest opinion on the show now though.
It seems our opinions can change with time depending on one’s current circumstances and their environment. Once again, thanks for giving your opinion.