Liar

Liar is a British psychological thriller television series that was co-produced by SundanceTV and ITV. Airing for two seasons from 2017 to 2020, the series was created by brothers Harry and Jack Williams, the minds behind other tantalizing crime dramas like The Missing and Baptise.

Disturbingly captivating, Liar plunges viewers into a world tainted by deceit, manipulation, and a heinous act that changes the lives of two people. The story revolves around Laura Nielson, portrayed by Joanne Froggatt, a revered secondary school teacher in the small coastal town of Deal in Kent, and her unlikely love interest, Andrew Earlham, a charismatic and well-respected heart surgeon played by Ioan Gruffudd.

Their lives intertwine when they embark on a promising date after becoming freshly single, but the ensuing situations reveal that the course of their life is about to change drastically. The morning after the date, something is amiss that sparks off divergent memory accounts, setting the scene for the show's engaging gauntlet of psychological suspense. The characters’ lives unravel as their previous histories are laid bare and a sinister web of lies and deceit emerges from their tales.

Liar’s gripping narrative stuns with its harrowing themes of trust, truth, and the deep-seated impacts of sexual abuse. The series brilliantly infuses suspense into the tale of two people stuck between the solidity of evidence and the distinction of right or wrong. Froggatt's portrayal of Laura, a strong but tormented woman in the aftermath of an alleged rape, is commendable as she fights to seek justice and prove her truth. Equally remarkable is Gruffudd's evocation of Andrew, reminiscent of a man shrouded by charm, masking a malevolent presence.

As the series evolves, the plot seems to detangle only to reveal even more complex layers of deceit. Despite being set on a small scale the show manages to maintain the tension throughout each episode, making it impossible for viewers to predict the final revelation. The storyline extends beyond the primary case as each character introduces individual subplots, effectively hooking the audience.

The second season picks up the story three weeks after the shocking finale of the first season, leading the viewers into a compelling murder mystery while tying up loose ends. With the tables turning, the characters are thrown into a whirlwind of accusations, entangling truths, and mind-boggling evidence. The unpredictable plot twists keep the audience engaged until the very last frame, proving the show's mastery over narrative suspense.

Liar thrives on the uncertainty surrounding he-said-she-said situations and explores the burning issue of sexual assault sensitively and sincerely. Aesthetically, it stands out with its dark ambiance that beautifully aligns with the grimness of the storyline with the serene and often stormy seascapes of Deal bringing a brooding yet breathtaking outlook.

Despite its controversial narrative on sexual assault, what sets Liar apart is its poignant portrayal of the unintended consequences of deception and half-truths. It poetically demonstrates how one's seemingly harmless lie can snowball into a catastrophe that wrecks lives.

The show's appealing ensemble also includes Zoë Tapper as Katy Sutcliffe, Laura's sister who is facing her set of challenges, and Warren Brown as DS Rory Maxwell, who is loyal to a fault and diligently seeks justice. Each character in Liar is intricately written, with deep character arcs and intriguing tonal shifts.

Complete with critical acclaim and stellar performances, Liar is a show that skillfully balances suspense, scandal, and social commentary. Its formula of excellent casting, compelling storytelling, and thought-provoking themes makes it a binge-worthy series for fans of psychological thrillers.