New "comedy horror" from BBC Three starring Oscar Kennedy, Thaddea Graham and Anthony Rickman. Synopsis from the BBC website:

 

Welcome aboard the ship of nightmares. Searching for answers about his missing sister, Jamie joins the crew on a mysterious cruise liner. Conspiracy, comedy and a slice of slasher.

 

This post contains SPOILERS - this is your warning!

 

I watched the whole series this week - just six episodes so not too difficult to get through. Episode 1 initially confused me, maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, but I did like it and there was plenty of intrigue to get me back for episode 2, where it just got better and better. I found the plot unpredictable at times and there were loads of twists, turns and gasps to be had. The cast do everything they're supposed to - Oscar Kennedy is a compelling lead and I ADORE Thaddea Graham as Vivian! The relationship between Jamie and Olly is captivating and I was even rooting for Vivian and Lily until THAT twist !!!!!! and Cormac and Rosie were a far more endearing presence than I initially expected. Not to mention Karen....!!!!!!

 

It's very Squid Game in concept which I realised in episodes 5 and 6, so it's not really reinventing the wheel, but it has some brilliantly horrifying imagery and a great approach to the concept. Renewed for series 2 as well which is exciting! Intrigued to see where it goes next.

 

Oh, and the LGBTQ+ representation was top notch! :heart:

I liked this series and am excited for a season 2.

 

Loved Vivian and great to see the actress is going to be in Sex Education season 4

 

I did not see the twist coming but it allowed other things to make sense (although isn’t this used in one of the Purge movies?!)

 

It was great for LGBTQIA representation ❤️

I usually hate horror shows but this, well this is a different ball game. There is so much good about this show: LGBTQIA+ Representation, The Hilarity, Quacky the Freaking Duck... This show is top notch

I really enjoyed this! It's a campy & barmy slasher horror which really kept me guessing, with a mostly likeable and diverse set of characters (and those who weren't likeable were enjoyably unlikeable lol, like the iconic Karen. :cheeseblock:). You certainly have to suspend your belief at aspects of it, but that's part of the fun really. Even though it's grim at times, there were funny moments too. Echoing others, the actress who plays Vivian is a stand out for me, I quickly warmed to Jamie too.

Jamie & Olly though!

:heart:

 

 

This is what the creator/writer Ryan J. Brown said about that decision to have the two leads be LGBTQ characters:

 

“Along with horror, Brown said UK TV has lacked shows on queer identity and he wanted to be subtle in the way in which he introduced these themes to Wreck. Played by Ladhood’s Oscar Kennedy and Curfew’s Thaddea Graham, the two main characters are LGBTQ+, but Brown didn’t want their queer identity to be the focus.

 

“I didn’t want trauma for them to have to wade through,” he said. “The characters’ queer identities prepare and inform them for the struggles they face in the show. Queer people are adept at sniffing out danger so we’re good protagonists for a show where there is always danger around the corner.”

 

 

 

As Joseph said, thematically it ended up being quite reminiscent of Squid Game - a social commentary about class divide. Unlike that show, these young adults weren't willingly getting themselves into this horrifying situation though, which made it even more horrifying!

 

The cliff hanger was intriguing (Pippa being alive - who's she with and what is she planning!?) and I really hope another season is guaranteed. I read that the creator has a 3 season story arc in mind.

 

Series 2 starts 26th March! Might need to do a rewatch so I remember what happened

It's about time :cheeseblock: Exciting! Yeah I'm quite hazy when it comes to Series 1 now :o Will definitely need a recap.

What a shame

 

The series has been cancelled after 2 seasons

 

https://metro.co.uk/2025/01/27/bbc-axes-com...score-22445459/

Hmm. Series 2 didn't really grab me tbh, it all got a bit naff. It ended with the potential for a third series though so it's a shame it won't be finished.

Hmm. Series 2 didn't really grab me tbh, it all got a bit naff. It ended with the potential for a third series though so it's a shame it won't be finished.

Agreed. I enjoyed the first series, but didn't make it to the end of the second.