Although the BBC are highlighting the all-star cast, which includes Russell Tovey, Steven Mackintosh and Indira Varma, the real draw is David Threlfall in his first post-Shameless role.
Moving on from a long running show and character is never easy, but this powerful and gripping drama is guaranteed to banish all thoughts of the greasy, work-shy Frank Gallagher.
Threlfall plays Len Harper, a widowed copper on the verge of retiring when a missing woman’s bady decomposed body is found.
With no signs of foul play, the police want to close the case but Harper feels a need to find out how a woman can simply vanish without anyone noticing and then turn up dead in her own attic years later.
As he investigates the audience meets the victim’s neighbours and it’s here that the decision to cast such a strong array of talent comes into play. Each of the households has a distinct and complex story of their own and as Len assesses them as suspects we get to delve into their lives and secrets.
Basgallop’s strong writing and the presence of such a top-notch ensemble ensures that what we find behind the normally closed doors never descends into EastEnders territory.
But no matter how good the rest are, it’s Threlfall and his captivating performance as the career copper seeking to stave off his last day who the audience long to see and learn more about.
What Remains is the kind of proper, grown up drama that you feel sad has come to an end and which you rush out and buy the boxset to watch all over again.
Sunday 25 August, 9.00pm on BBC ONE
