ITV's The Tower premiere gets mixed reactions from viewers
ITV's newest crime thriller The Tower aired its premiere tonight (November 8), and viewers had mixed reactions to it.
The three-part drama is based on the novel Post Mortem, the first instalment of Kate London's Metropolitan series, following Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins investigating the sudden death of a beat cop and a teenage girl when they fall off of Portland Tower.
ITV's official synopsis reads: "In The Tower's breathtaking opening sequence, a veteran beat cop and a teenage girl fall to their deaths from a tower block in south-east London.
"Left alive on the roof are a 5-year-old boy and rookie police officer Lizzie Adama. Within hours, Lizzie has disappeared, and Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins is charged with leading the investigation."
Collins is played by Gemma Whelan, who rose to prominence as Yara Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, as Geraldine in the third season of Killing Eve, and opposite Suranne Jones in Gentleman Jack.
The series also stars The Haunting of Bly Manor star Tahirah Sharif, Hollyoaks and Peaky Blinders actor Emmett J Scanlan, and Arrow's Jimmy Akingbola.
Viewers were quick to share their first thoughts online, and the cast was a major focal point of conversation.
Here we go again with a new drama...I'm too busy thinking "I recognise him/her, what were they in?" to follow the plot 🤣 #TheTower
— Kevin Field 💙 (@fieldy56) November 8, 2021
@Actornabil @EmmettScanlan #TheTower great cast looking great drama already
— Kelly Reid (@KellyRe87599159) November 8, 2021
#TheTower Gemma Whelan is always worth watching whatever she`s in.
— Acadarchist 😷💙⭐⭐ (@Acadarchist) November 8, 2021
This looks really good I'm already hooked great cast this is gonna be 🔥🔥🔥🔥#TheTower #ITV @ITV
— keegan (@KeeganNufc09) November 8, 2021
Soap fans were gushing on Twitter as a number of soap favourites popped up in the cast, including Casualty's Tahirah Sharif and Holby City's Jimmy Akingbola.
Viewers were particularly excited to see Nabil Elouahabi appear, recognising him as "Gary" from British TV staple Only Fools and Horses.
Anyone else shouting ‘Gary’ at the tele….anyone?? 😂 #ofah #thetower
— Joanne Bassett (@Joannebassett7) November 8, 2021
Bloody hell it's Gary from only fools! #TheTower
— Codsall Si (@codsallsi) November 8, 2021
#TheTower pic.twitter.com/vR6l6DSvzn
— Television Live (@Television_Live) November 8, 2021
ITS ONLY BLOODY GARY!!!!! #TheTower
— robbie bob (@robbiebob5) November 8, 2021
Is that "Gary" from Only Fools And Horses? #thetower pic.twitter.com/j32ufrrRP0
— Lisa (@LisaM_Catchpole) November 8, 2021
OK who else just shouted "GARY!" at the telly #TheTower
— Merv Payne 💙 (@mervpayne) November 8, 2021
Overall, reactions to the show were generally positive, but one common criticism was the dialogue.
Many people on Twitter said the cast were "mumbling" or "muttering" and speaking too fast to be audible.
#TheTower and Us Watching At Home. pic.twitter.com/AjdixSSJQJ
— James (@jamesgunnwrites) November 8, 2021
Trying to persevere but the constant mumbling, whispering and generally not opening their mouths when they speak is not helping 😫 #TheTower @ITV
— Alison Jones (@Jones2Alison) November 8, 2021
#TheTower Subtitles activated. Some Actor's muttering or talking through their teeth. Irritating.
— 🇬🇧Devil_Mick (@devil_mick) November 8, 2021
What is it lately with the sound quality on these dramas, need bloody subtitles #TheTower
— Denise Chester (@Chestikov69) November 8, 2021
Stop mumbling it dosent make you a cool actor just an annoying one #thetower
— Nikky Linnane (@NLinnane) November 8, 2021
While the show isn't explicitly focused on "bent coppers", many were quick to point out similarities to the BBC's Line of Duty, with one viewer calling it the "ALDI version" of the beloved police drama.
The Tower continues tomorrow on ITV at 9pm.
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