The Runaway

The Runaway is a compelling six-part drama series by ITV that aired in 2010 and 2011. The series is based on Martina Cole's best-selling novel published in 1997. It presents an intriguing narrative set in the smoky underbelly of 1960s and 1970s London, spotlighting characters that grow and struggle over the years amidst this dynamic backdrop.

The series kicks off in the 1960s, portraying a powerful tale of lust, survival, crime, and betrayal. It follows the tumultuous lives of two childhood friends from London's grimy East End, Cathy Connor and Eamonn Docherty. Their paths are profoundly intertwined by a bond of friendship, a shared desire for freedom from their harsh surroundings, and a mutual attraction that fuels their journey.

Cathy, played by Joanna Vanderham, is a rather robust character. She's a girl determined to escape her troubled past. Fiercely dedicated to protecting herself and those she loves, her world flips upside down when implicated in a crime she didn't commit. She's shipped off to reform school where her life takes a dramatic turn.

On the other hand, Eamonn, portrayed by Jack O'Connell and later on by Alan Cumming, is a charming yet troubled character. He's a highly ambitious individual who is willing to do whatever it takes to climb up the social ladder, even if it means immersing himself in a life of organized crime. As their lives continue to intertwine, Cathy and Eamonn struggle to find their ways back to one another amidst a sea of challenges and obstacles.

The plot takes an even darker and intense approach as their lives apart keep dragging them back to their roots, pulling them deeper into the gruesome world of crime, corruption, poverty, and the mob. The series also underscores the institutional failures that force vulnerable individuals, especially children, into dangerous circumstances, a theme that adds depth to the characters' stories and gives viewers a glimpse into some of the profound issues of those times.

Throughout its run, The Runaway maintains tight suspense and a gripping narrative, keeping the audience on its toes. The series does an exceptional job at depicting the gritty reality of England's underground, populated by colorful yet morally ambiguous characters. There's intensity and suspense in every episode, making it an exciting watch.

London in the 60s and 70s is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail, from the costumes to the set designs, even the emotional fabric of the times, with the era's sociopolitical conflicts creating an atmospheric backdrop. This drama is as much about exploring the psyches of its multi-faceted characters and their complicated relationships as it is about its plot.

What happens when individuals are molded by their experiences in a harsh, corrupted environment? How do the bonds of friendship and loyalty transform? how far would one go for the sake of survival, ambition, or love? The Runaway attempts to explore these questions with compelling sensitivity and drama.

The ensemble cast contributes significantly to the success of the gripping drama, breathing life into their characters with compelling performances filled with complex emotions and motivations. From the tumultuous and explosive relationship between the two leads to the depiction of secondary characters, each with their crucial parts in the narrative, the actors bring an authenticity to the screen that is hard to overlook.

Directed by David Richards and Sarah Harding, the series eschews the glitz and glamor and embraces the bleak realities, presenting a story with depth and fine character development throughout. Audiences are drawn into the cunning web of deception, desire, and determination, painted on the canvas of a grey, grimy London.

In conclusion, The Runaway is a captivating exploration of love, passion, loyalty, desperation, and the lengths to which people will go to protect what they hold dear. Its complex characters, intriguing plot, strong performances, and striking portrayal of 1960s and 1970s London make it a worthy watch. The series takes audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions, navigating the murky underbelly of the crime world and the inescapable cycle of life's trials and tragedies.