Watch Living a Lie

Living a Lie is a gripping psychological thriller series from MHz Choice that explores the complexities of family secrets and lies. Created by BAFTA-nominated writer Gwyneth Lewis and starring Catherine Ayers, Matthew Gravelle, and Mark Lewis Jones, this Welsh-language drama originally aired on S4C in 2016 before being picked up for international distribution by MHz Choice.

The series centers around the Jones family, who live in a small village in the Welsh countryside. On the surface, they appear to be a normal, happy family, with patriarch Iwan (Mark Lewis Jones) running the local pub and his wife, Maria (Catherine Ayers), working as a nurse. However, beneath the surface lies a web of secrets and lies that threaten to tear them apart.

The story begins when Maria is accused of murdering a patient in the hospital where she works. As the police investigation heats up, Maria's husband and children are forced to confront their own secrets and past misdeeds. Her husband Iwan has been hiding an affair with a local woman, while their son Harri (Steffan Cennydd) is struggling with drug addiction and their daughter Elin (Ffion Dafis) is keeping a secret that could destroy the family.

To make matters worse, Maria's brother-in-law, Geraint (Matthew Gravelle), is a police detective leading the investigation into her alleged crime. As he delves deeper into Maria's past, he begins to uncover a dark history of abuse and betrayal that threatens to destroy the family for good.

The tension in Living a Lie is palpable from the outset, with each episode ratcheting up the intensity as the family's secrets are gradually revealed. The series is driven by its strong performances, particularly from Catherine Ayers as Maria, who brings a raw vulnerability to the role that makes her a compelling and sympathetic character despite her flaws. Mark Lewis Jones is also excellent as Iwan, managing to convey both his love for his family and his culpability in their troubles.

At its heart, Living a Lie is a story about the weight of the past and the damage that secrets can do to a family. It's a bleak and brooding drama that explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the lengths that people will go to in order to protect their loved ones. The show is steeped in Welsh language and culture, adding an interesting dimension to the drama and making it stand out in a crowded field of crime shows.

Overall, Living a Lie is a must-watch for fans of intense family dramas and psychological thrillers. Its gritty realism and nuanced performances make it a standout in the genre, and its exploration of the dark corners of family life will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.