Dark money – Four reasons to watch the new BBC drama

THE BBC are back with a new gripping drama Dark Money, which is sure to have us all hooked.

Here’s why you can’t miss this new series which is about a family who is paid to keep silent after their son is abused – but at what cost?

Four reasons to watch BBC drama Dark Money

1) Gripping storyline

Dark Money introduces us to the Mensahs, a fictional working-class family from North London headed up by mum Sam and dad Manny.

Their youngest son Isaac, has recently finished filming a major Hollywood movie – but the family’s world is shattered when he reveals he was abused whilst out in America by a renowned filmmaker.

Although guilt-ridden, the family decide to accept a substantial pay-off to keep silent, believing the money will help start a new life, enable them to heal and avoid the publicity hell of pressing charges against a celebrity.

The show focuses on them living with their decision to take the money and let the filmmaker get away with abusing their son.

2) Topical issue

The storyline is a topical one of our time – especially with the #metoo movement that swept Hollywood.

It deals with high profile rich people who are able to pay off victims so they can get away with their crimes.

It also portrays a powerful person in the film industry who believes they can get away with doing what they want because of who they are – which echos the Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey accusations.

3) Star cast

The show includes an impressive cast and is headed up by Jill Halfpenny and Babou Ceesay.

Jill is best known for playing Kate in EastEnders and has since appeared in Waterloo Road, Humans, and Liar.

Meanwhile, Babou achieved critical acclaim for playing Richard Taylor in the TV movie Damilola Our Loved Boy.

He has also starred in National Treasure, Into the Badlands, and Guerilla.

Also starring in this gripping series Poldark’s Rebecca Front and Chewing Gum star Susan Wokoma.

They are joined by Home From Home actress Olive Gray, EastEnders’ Ellen Thomas and Gary Beadle, Arnold Oceng from The Good Lie, and Resident Evil’s Joseph May, as well as Our Girl star Rudi Dharmalingam.

4) Award winning writer

The series is written by award-winning writer Levi David Addai, who wrote Damilola, Our Loved Boy.

Writer Addai revealed that the series was influenced by his curiosity over the trusting nature of parents whose children were taking part at a weekend drama school that his own daughter was attending.

He also was intrigued by how the possibility of stardom for their children had the power to “blind certain decisions you might make as a parent.”

When can I watch Dark Money?

Dark Money begins TONIGHT (Monday July 8, 2019) at 9pm on BBC1.

It will run for four episodes.

After it has aired you can watch it on the BBC iPlayer.