Then You Run

It’s always interesting to assess the actions of those who, on TV – and it does happen a lot – stumble across a wholesale quantity of high-grade narcotics. Surely, leaving it be is an extremely sensible course of action, but that never seems to be the response, does it?

If being periodically irked by protagonists’ questionable decision-making is a draw, then Then You Run is sure to be an attractive prospect. Airing on Sky, this miniseries thriller explores four friends’ run-in with a quietly sinister drug ring while holidaying in Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ third or fourth choice leisure destination. The quartet – Tara (Leah McNamara), Stink (Vivian Oparah), Ruth (Yasmin Monet Prince) and Nessi (newcomer Isidora Fairhurst) – are an appealing and relatable bunch, capable of some humorous interchange, whose misfortunes are many and regular. Their dynamic is one of a slightly more earnest, less snappy Derry Girls, aspects rendering them not quite as entertaining as Channel 4’s Northern Irish comic quintet, but with genuine and engaging chemistry nevertheless.

It skips from moment to moment well enough, but the pacing is Then You Run is a little suspect in other regards. The creators overextend some of the elements of unexplained suspense to the point that they stray beyond enticing intrigue into the sphere of beginning to lack consequence. That being said, this world of unhinged drug traffickers, curious initially mild-mannered gangsters and untethered serial killers carries a pleasing fraughtness that pursues the rebellious teenage foursome to whichever corner of Europe they turn; a bit relentless perhaps, but certainly involving. The characters, though well delivered, can be hit and miss, but there’s the odd belter – we’re looking at you, bit-part lovesick slam-poetry-loving Marten.

Overall, this is a well-formulated, tidily made, big-budget series that is apt for whiling away a few leisure hours.

Will Snell

Then You Run is released on Sky on 7^th July 2023.

Watch the trailer for Then You Run here: