The six-part series is written and created by husband and wife team Paul Rutman (Indian Summers, Vera) and Natasha Narayan. Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe nominee, Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife, The Fall), and renowned actor, Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean, Smash), will star in Mammoth Screen's fast-paced family thriller, Next Of Kin. Whip-smart GP Mona Shirani lives a charmed life at the heart of a loving family living in London. But she is left grief-stricken when her much-loved brother is brutally murdered whilst working for a medical charity overseas. As the death brings buried family secrets to light, Mona is drawn deep into a tangle of betrayal, conspiracy and murder. One way or another, she must find a way of protecting herself, her family and her career as they are all put at risk.
Next of Kin is a very powerful, very emotive drama, set over six episodes it gives a real insight into the acts of terrorism, the origins, process, and eventual tragic outcome.
It's a little far fetched, and it's definitely padded out in the middle, but overall it's a very good watch. Best episode is Part 3, which is edge of the seat viewing, it also concludes well.
There are moments where you have to suspend belief, as some events will have you scratching your head, asking, would they really do that?
Very well produced, well acted, Archie Panjabi steals every scene, she is marvellous. Claire Skinner I'd argue was badly cast.
Overall, emotive, intense, slightly muddled, but watchable. 7/10