THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2020TALK OF THE TOWN
Dawn French plays a local gossip who has bitten off more than she can
chew in ITV’s excellent and intriguing new drama ‘The Trouble with
Maggie Cole’, says Sean O’Grady
Julie Hesmondhalgh and Dawn French star in the six-part series (ITV)
★★★★★
There’s really no trouble for the viewer, with The Trouble with Maggie Cole (ITV). It is a delight to see
Dawn French and Julie Hesmondhalgh teamed up, and more than generously supported by a formidable
cast including Mark Heap, John Macmillan, Vicki Pepperdine, and Chetna Pandya. The premise of this six-
part drama set in a picturesque, close-knit English village is an excellent and irresistibly intriguing one. As
posed by writer Mark Brotherhood it is this: what would you do if your disobliging private views about your
family, friends, workmates, neighbours, local shopkeeper and doctor were suddenly taken out of their usual
confidential forums, and literally broadcast to them and the entire county?
Yes, a bit embarrassing, but what if those catty thoughts comprehensively encompassed deeply hurtful