The gripping new show has been dubbed “absolutely brilliant” by viewers
‘Brilliant’ BBC drama The Rapture has fans hooked ‘blitzed it in one sitting’(Image: BBC)
Viewers watching BBC’s newest psychological thriller The Rapture were all left saying the same thing.
Adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel, the show follows a teenager who has been accused of killing her mum, and who claims to be able to predict natural disasters.
The Rapture boasts a stellar cast including Ruth Madeley, India Amarteifio, Gavin and Stacey‘s Ruth Jones, The History Boys’ Stephen Campbell Moore, Lisa Palfrey from Sex Education and Siena Kelly from Black Mirror.
Set in a heatwave, it follows psychologist Dr Gabs Fox (Ruth Madeley), who, after a life-altering car accident killed her husband and left her paralysed, starts a new job at a psychiatric hospital where she is assigned 17-year-old inmate Bethany Krall (India Amarteifio).
Two years before, Bethany was sectioned for the brutal murder of her mother, Carys Krall. The case shocked the nation, not least because Bethany’s father, Leonard Krall, is the charismatic leader of the Faith Way, a spiritual movement with millions of online followers.
Bethany seems to know private details about Gabs’ life and insists she can see visions of the future, which she communicates through disturbing sketches of disasters: storms, fires and floods. Bethany’s nurse Rafiq insists Bethany’s predictions always come true, but Gabs is sceptical, determined to find a clinical explanation.
As the heat intensifies, Gabs begins to notice unsettling connections between Bethany’s prophetic drawings and the world outside, forcing Gabs to re-examine her assumptions about Bethany’s innocence.
Reacting to the first episode, fans had a lot to say. One person declared on Facebook: “Absolutely brilliant series I blitzed it in one sitting it was so enthralling.” Another added: “Binge watching it, so far so good.” A third chimed in: “Enjoying it so far.”
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, previously remarked on the series: “This thriller brings Liz Jensen’s compelling novel to life with a truly talented cast led by the brilliant Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio.
“The Rapture features two complicated and captivating characters, blended with a story of climate change, to create a gripping narrative and I can’t wait for BBC viewers to see it.”
“The Rapture is a hugely powerful and entertaining female-led drama, which is charged with timely, important and deeply resonant themes,” said Rebecca Durbin, series executive producer for Mammoth Screen.
The Rapture airs on BBC One and iPlayer from 9pm on Sunday, July 26.