The Light in the Hall

There are few actors who can put a foot wrong. Joanna Scanlan is one of them, and she stars as grieving mother Sharon in the tense Channel 4 drama The Light in the Hall. Eighteen years after her daughter’s murder, perpetrator Joe (Game of Thrones’ Iwan Rheon) has been released from prison on parole. With the whereabouts of the body still a mystery, Joe’s release re-opens wounds that never quite healed for Sharon and her family. Meanwhile, Cat (Alexandra Roach) has returned to the town where she grew up to write an article on the story. As her investigation deepens, she begins to uncover secrets that some thought to have been long forgotten.

Moving at a steady pace, the mystery series gradually winds the suspense throughout each of its episodes as more about that fateful day is discovered. Though audiences will likely sniff out the direction the plot is heading in, showrunner Regina Moriarty is careful to drip-feed the vital information in just the right quantities to ensure that viewers stay engaged in the unfolding drama, often ending episodes on cruel cliffhangers to tempt them back in for more.

Although it’s the tantalising mystery that will initially draw viewers into the series, it’s the human stories that will keep them invested. This show is primarily all about grief and the many ways in which it can be dealt with. Sharon, for example, insists that the hall light be left on in the unlikely chance her daughter returns home, whereas her ex-husband argues that she needs to put the past behind her (even though he’s finding following his own advice difficult). Everyone in the small Welsh town has been affected by the murder in some way. Even Joe, who’s been diagnosed with dissociative amnesia, struggles to confront his fractured memories of the crime.

The secrets of this quiet community may not be as shocking as intended, however, the outstanding performances from Scanlan and the supporting cast creates an enthralling, character-driven drama that explores aspects of grief and trauma in often hard-hitting ways. From the first introductions to Sharon and Joe, audiences will be compelled to see their plights through to the very end.

Andrew Murray

The Light in the Hall is released on Channel 4 and All 4 on 4^th January 2023.

Watch the trailer for The Light in the Hall here: