Review of ITV's "Adultery" Highlights Complex Relationships and Moral Dilemmas

The ITV drama "Adultery" presents a tangled web of relationships where characters navigate marital dissatisfaction, infidelity, and the consequences of their actions. The series, reviewed by Christopher Stevens, delves into the lives of Beth, played by Romola Garai, and her GP, Tom, portrayed by Dominic Cooper.

Beth finds herself in an affair with Tom, seeking an escape from her unsatisfying marriage to Neil, a character described as a "scruffily bearded boor with a tendency to violence." Neil's controlling nature and his opposition to Beth's career aspirations as a fitness trainer contribute to the breakdown of their relationship. His legal troubles, including awaiting trial for a violent assault, further complicate Beth's life.

Meanwhile, Tom is married to Hannah, played by Shelley Conn, his university sweetheart. Hannah suffers from a protracted mental illness, the cause of which is not yet explained. The potential fallout from Tom's infidelity, if discovered by Hannah, poses a significant moral dilemma for him, especially given her fragile mental state and her obsessive tracking of his whereabouts via a phone app.

Writer Danny Brocklehurst, also known for "Ten Pound Poms," is credited with crafting intricate plot developments to maintain audience engagement. The series introduces additional layers of complexity through the teenage children of both couples, Jess and Ollie, who are involved in a romantic relationship.

A subtext of grief is also explored within the narrative, particularly concerning Beth, who is dealing with the recent death of her best friend. The review notes that Beth's emotional state leads to erratic behavior, including a concerning incident where she closed her eyes while driving.

The review highlights specific instances of the affair, including encounters in a car, a friend's bed, and even a soft play area. The narrative suggests that Beth's marriage to Neil is fundamentally flawed, making her eventual departure from it a likely outcome.

The series "Adultery" is noted for its complex character dynamics and the moral ambiguity faced by its protagonists as they grapple with love, betrayal, and loss.