Finding Alice

Finding Alice is a captivating British television series that first premiered on ITV in 2021. The show captures audiences effectively by intertwining facets of domestic life with intricate character development and unexpected storylines. The enigmatic show follows the protagonist Alice and her perpetually evolving journey of dealing with life's highs and lows.

The ITV series stars the exceptionally talented Keeley Hawes, an acknowledged actress renowned for her performances in previous British TV shows such as Bodyguard, The Durrells, and Line of Duty. She plays Alice, a newly widowed woman trying to navigate the labyrinth of grief and unravelling the bewildering secrets left behind by her late husband, Harry.

The plot superbly ushers us into the central predicament when Alice's husband, Harry, suddenly dies after plunging down the stairs, leaving her and their teenage daughter, Charlotte, in a state of shock and grief. Harry’s sudden demise occurs just after they move into their dream house – a tech-filled modern mansion that Harry himself designed.

The house, in itself, being a smart home is an integral part of the narrative. The state-of-the-art, architecturally innovative smart home becomes a source of bemusement and frustration for Alice. The plot hinges upon the unconventional and unpredictable machine-centred system of their house – an element that engrosses the audiences with a sense of curiosity.

The storyline goes beyond a simple tale of grief and loss as Alice begins to find out her late husband's life was much more complicated than she ever imagined. As Alice attempts to unravel the secrets Harry left behind, she has to face complicated financial and family issues.

Additionally, Alice's character is not portrayed as a typical grieving widow. She’s unapologetic, and at times, even carefree and comedic. She muddles through her emotions, personal relationships, and the mysterious aspects of her husband's life, creating a complex character that is both enthralling and relatable. In essence, the show is an intriguing study of how a woman deals with grief and unexpected revelations, making it more than your average drama series.

As the show progresses, Alice has to confront the reality of her new financial circumstances and the implications it has on her and her teenage daughter, enhancing the layers of real-life complications. The intense drama spirals even further with various characters implicated in the mess Harry leaves behind.

The supporting cast in Finding Alice, including Isabella Pappas as Charlotte, Joanna Lumley and Nigel Havers as Alice's in-laws, as well as Gemma Jones and Kenneth Cranham as Alice's parents – all bring their acting prowess, bringing to life a diverse range of characters that add significant depth to the series.

The ventilated, cold, and minimalistic layout of the "smart" house creates an eerie atmosphere that is beautifully contrasted with the warmth of familial ties and the heat of boiling emotions. The home serves as a mystifying and paradoxical backdrop that complements the intricate narrative.

Created by Simon Nye and Roger Goldby, and directed by Goldby, the show is a mélange of dark humor, emotion, mystery, and drama, making it highly engaging and hard to resist. The outstanding performances, progressive storyline, and strange encounters add to the intrigue, ensuring the viewer is intrigued and captivated throughout the series.

Finding Alice offers an unconventional take on navigating grief and the complexity of unraveling secrets in its six episodes. It proffers its audience with a journey through a rollercoaster of emotions, fraught relationships, hidden truths, and the starkly beautiful reality of grappling with life's unexpected curveballs. Moreover, it is the portrayal of life's convoluted realities through the lens of Alice's journey that makes the series truly compelling to watch.

On the whole, Finding Alice is a captivating drama that grapples with the intricacies of grief, love, and secret pasts. It’s a show that grips you from the start and plants the seed of a gripping narrative that grows into an intriguing storyline, making it worth a watch on ITV Hub.