The Pact (British TV series)
{{Short description|British television series for BBC One}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox television
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| genre = {{plainlist|
| creator = Pete McTighe
| writer =
| director = Rebecca Johnson
Eric Styles
Nicole Volavka
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Laura Fraser
- Julie Hesmondhalgh
- Eiry Thomas
- Heledd Gwynn
- Jason Hughes
- Aneurin Barnard
- Gabrielle Creevy
- Aled ap Steffan
- Abbie Hern
- Rakie Ayola
- Mark Lewis Jones
- Adrian Edmondson
- Eddie Marsan
}}
| theme_music_composer =
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| country = United Kingdom (Wales)
| language = English
| num_series = 2
| num_episodes = 12
| list_episodes =
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| company = Little Door Productions
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| network = BBC One
| first_aired = {{Start date|2021|05|17|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2022|11|28|df=y}}
| related =
}}
The Pact is a British television drama series written and created by Pete McTighe and made and filmed in Wales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-pact-cast-bbc-one/|title=Meet the cast of BBC One drama The Pact|date=May 17, 2021|website=Radio Times}}{{Cite web |last=Nisbet |first=Megan |date=2022-12-26 |title=The TV shows of 2022 that showcased just how magnificent Wales is |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/tv-shows-2022-showcased-just-25496493 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}} Produced by Little Door Productions, it began broadcasting on BBC One on 17 May 2021. On 6 April 2022, a second series was announced, focusing on a new cast and story,{{Cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/the-pact-series-2-filming-begins-with-a-brand-new-story | title=The Pact series 2: Filming begins with brand new story }} which premiered on 24 October 2022.
Synopsis
= Series 1 =
Four friends, Anna, Nancy, Cat and Louie, work in a 100-year-old family brewery in mid-Wales. The owner, Louie's brother Arwel, has recently retired and has put his son, Jack, in charge. Jack is a cocaine addict and treats his staff with contempt. During the centenary party, the four abduct the drunken, stoned Jack and drive him to the woods. They photograph him in a partly undressed pose then leave. When they return to check on him, they find him dead. They make a pact not to disclose their involvement.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/the-pact-is-a-stonking-standout-of-a-crime-thriller-1.4569567|title=The Pact is a stonking standout of a crime thriller|date=19 May 2021|author=Ed Power|website=Irish Times|access-date=21 May 2021}}
= Series 2 =
The second series focuses on a new cast and story. Christine, a social worker, and her children Will, Jamie and Megan are trying to move on from the death of a fourth sibling, Liam, through overdose. However, a stranger comes to town claiming a connection to each of them; this tests their family loyalties.{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-pact-series-2-cast-who-stars-bbc-drama-when-time-tonight-how-many-episodes-1930849|title=The Pact series 2 cast: Who stars in the BBC drama, what time it's on tonight and how many episodes there are|website=inews.co.uk|date=24 October 2022 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/2022/04/06/bbc-wales-renew-the-pact/|title=BBC Wales renews The Pact|website=voice-online.co.uk|date=6 April 2022 }}
Cast
= Series 1 =
- Laura Fraser as Anna
- Julie Hesmondhalgh as Nancy
- Eiry Thomas as Louie
- Heledd Gwynn as Cat
- Eddie Marsan as Arwel
- Jason Hughes as Max
- Aneurin Barnard as Jack
- Adrian Edmondson as Richard
- Rakie Ayola as Detective Superintendent Holland
- Gabrielle Creevy as Tamsin
- Aled ap Steffan as Ryan
- Abbie Hern as Tish
- Alexandria Riley as Detective Constable Anford
- Mark Lewis Jones as Father Martin
- Richard Elis as Gareth
- Ben McGregor as Detective Constable Griffiths{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/pact-cast-actors-pembrokeshire-murders-20615766|title=The Pact: Cast of new BBC drama filmed in Wales|first=Kathryn|last=Williams|date=May 17, 2021|website=WalesOnline}}
- Sophie Melville as Mandy Thomas
- Elin Phillips as Rose
= Series 2 =
- Rakie Ayola as Christine Rees
- Jordan Wilks as Connor
- Mali Ann Rees as Megan Rees
- Lloyd Everitt as Will Rees
- Aaron Anthony as Jamie Rees
- Lisa Palfrey as Beth
- Jacob Ifan as Gethin
- Rebekah Murrell as Samantha
- Kristy Phillips as Kayla
- Christian Patterson as Joe
- Matthew Gravelle as D.S Pritchard
- Elizabeth Berrington as Kate
- Callum Hymers as Owain
- Huw Novelli as Lloyd
- Nick Hywell as Alec
- Marsha Miller as Carol
- Steven Mackintosh as Harry
- Kaylen Luke as Alfie{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-pact-season-2-cast/|title=Meet the cast of The Pact season 2|website=Radio Times}}
Production
Production of the first series of The Pact began in September 2020{{Cite web|title=The Pact: brand new BBC Cymru Wales crime thriller begins filming|url=http://bbc.com/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/the-pact/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612010847/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/the-pact|archive-date=12 June 2021|access-date=12 June 2021|publisher=BBC Media Centre}} and filming took place on location at the Rhymney Brewery, Blaenavon,{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/food-or-drink/rhymney-brewery-visitor-centre-1478196|title=Rhymney Brewery Visitor Centre | VisitWales}} the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Pontsarn Viaduct, Merthyr Tydfil, the Pontsticill Reservoir, Whitecross Street in Monmouth, and St Mary's Church, Marshfield in Newport, Wales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/the-pact-locations-filmed-bbc-20611960|title=The Pact: Welsh locations where new BBC drama was filmed|first=Kathryn|last=Williams|date=May 17, 2021|website=WalesOnline}}
Series 2 was filmed in Cardiff and on the Vale of Glamorgan coast. The Rees family home was in Llantwit Major, with other coastal scenes being filmed in Ogmore-by-Sea and other scenes take place at Llantwit Major Beach and Dunraven Bay. Filming also took place in Penarth, Penarth Pier, Porthcawl, Swanbridge Bay Beach and Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/pact-series-2-locations-parts-25339420?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target|title=The Pact series 2 locations: The parts of the Welsh coast where the BBC drama is filmed|website=walesonline.co.uk|date=24 October 2022 }}
Episodes
{{Series overview
| caption = Series overview
| color1 = #771C23
| link1 = #Series 1 (2021)
| episodes1 = 6
| start1 = {{Start date|2021|05|17|df=yes}}
| end1 = {{End date|2021|06|01|df=yes}}
| color2 = #A42C17
| link2 = #Series 2 (2022)
| episodes2 = 6
| start2 = {{Start date|2022|10|24|df=yes}}
| end2 = {{End date|2022|11|28|df=yes}}
}}
= Series 1 (2021) =
{{Episode table |background=#771C23 |overall= |title= |titleR= |director= |directorR= |writer= |writerR= |airdate= |airdateR= |viewers= |country=U.K. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Episode 1
|DirectedBy = Eric Styles
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|05|17|df=y}}
|Viewers = 7.54
|ShortSummary = Four female friends who work at a brewery go to its 100th anniversary party. Afterwards, finding that their obnoxious, abusive young boss Jack has tried to assault one of the women, they abduct him and dump him in the woods. Later they go back to check that he is all right and find him dead.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Episode 2
|DirectedBy = Eric Styles
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|05|18|df=y}}
|Viewers = 6.88
|ShortSummary = The four friends are interviewed by the police but say nothing. Anna’s husband, Max, a police sergeant, is part of the investigation. The friends each receive a blackmail demand and Anna pays it.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Episode 3
|DirectedBy = Eric Styles
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|05|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Max discovers that Anna has withdrawn their savings from the bank and she pretends she has lent it to one of her friends. After the blackmailer demands more money Anna tracks down the messages to Nancy's phone.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Episode 4
|DirectedBy = Rebecca Johnson
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|05|25|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = CCTV footage reveals to the police that Nancy’s car was travelling in the direction of the woods on the night of Jack's murder. Nancy reveals that her husband, Richard, has incurred huge gambling debts and the blackmail attempt was intended to obtain a temporary respite so that they would not lose their home.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Episode 5
|DirectedBy = Rebecca Johnson
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|05|31|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Nancy is held overnight by the police. Anna and the other friends are questioned.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Episode 6
|DirectedBy = Rebecca Johnson
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|06|01|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = The truth of who killed Jack is revealed.
|LineColor = 000
}}
}}
= Series 2 (2022) =
{{Episode table |background=#A42C17 |overall= |title= |titleR= |director= |directorR= |writer= |writerR= |airdate= |airdateR= |viewers= |country=U.K. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Episode 1
|DirectedBy = Nicole Volavka
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|24|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Episode 2
|DirectedBy = Nicole Volavka
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|31|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Episode 3
|DirectedBy = Nicole Volavka
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|7|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Episode 4
|DirectedBy = Christiana Ebohon-Green
|WrittenBy = Joy Wilkinson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|14|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Episode 5
|DirectedBy = Christiana Ebohon-Green
|WrittenBy = Joy Wilkinson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|21|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Episode 6
|DirectedBy = Christiana Ebohon-Green
|WrittenBy = Pete McTighe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
}}
Broadcast
The first series of The Pact was broadcast every Monday and Tuesday on BBC One between 17 May 2021 and 1 June 2021.{{Cite web|date=26 May 2021|title=How many episodes of The Pact are there?|url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-many-episodes-the-pact-where-watch/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612010349/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-many-episodes-the-pact-where-watch/|archive-date=12 June 2021|access-date=12 June 2021|website=Heart}}{{Cite web|title=The Pact (2021) Season 1 – Episodes Guide and Summaries|url=https://next-episode.net/the-pact-2021/season-1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612010525/https://next-episode.net/the-pact-2021/season-1|archive-date=12 June 2021|access-date=12 June 2021|website=next-episode.net}}
The second series was broadcast every Monday on BBC One between 24 October 2022 and 28 November 2022.
Reception
Writing for The Guardian, Rebecca Nicholson gave the first series three out of five stars, stating that it saw "a starry cast and a hint of mystery".{{Cite web|last=Nicholson|first=Rebecca|date=17 May 2021|title=The Pact review – Wales's Big Little Lies will have you on tenterhooks|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/17/the-pact-review-waless-big-little-lies-will-have-you-on-tenterhooks|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604193711/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/17/the-pact-review-waless-big-little-lies-will-have-you-on-tenterhooks|archive-date=4 June 2021|access-date=12 June 2021|website=The Guardian}} The Independent critic Sean O'Grady awarded four out of five stars, praising the "strong" writing and cast, but stating that "the premise does seem far-fetched."{{Cite web|last=O'Grady|first=Sean|date=17 May 2021|title=The Pact is a cautionary tale about wreaking revenge on your horrible boss – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-pact-bbc-julie-hesmondhalgh-b1848119.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520064726/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-pact-bbc-julie-hesmondhalgh-b1848119.html|archive-date=20 May 2021|access-date=12 June 2021|website=The Independent}} Anita Singh of The Daily Telegraph wrote similarly of The Pact, describing it as a "Welsh Big Little Lies" where "realism wasn't a high priority".{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Anita|date=17 May 2021|title=The Pact, episode 1 review: Monterey is swapped for Monmouthshire in this Welsh Big Little Lies|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2021/05/17/pact-episode-1-review-monterey-swapped-monmouthshire-welsh-big/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518174704/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2021/05/17/pact-episode-1-review-monterey-swapped-monmouthshire-welsh-big/|archive-date=18 May 2021|access-date=12 June 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph}}
Alison Rowat in The Herald found series 2 “as gripping as the first one”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23082084.alison-rowats-tv-reviews-pact-handmaids-tale-lost-worlds-ben-fogle-jimmy-carr-destroys-art/|title=Alison Rowat's TV reviews: The Pact; The Handmaid's Tale; Lost Worlds with Ben Fogle; Jimmy Carr Destroys Art|website=Heraldscotland.com}} Jesper Rees in The Daily Telegraph criticised the soundtrack “which omnipresently pumps out dull doomy chords in the background, a bit like musical cloud cover. Talking of clouds, the shoot in picturesque spots such as Penarth and Margam Abbey seems to have happened under Glamorgan’s very greyest skies.”{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2022/10/24/pact-series-2-review-future-isnt-bright-murky-welsh-noir/|title=The Pact, series 2 review: the future isn't bright for this murky Welsh noir|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=24 October 2022 |last1=Rees |first1=Jasper }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{BBC programme}}
- {{IMDb title|tt13107070}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pact (British TV series), The}}
Category:2021 British television series debuts
Category:2022 British television series endings
Category:2020s British drama television series
Category:BBC television dramas