By Fatma Younis
ITV's new six-part drama, Adultery, explores the complex psychological equation of attraction and obstacles. Starring Romola Garai and Dominic Cooper, the series follows the lives of two married individuals whose worlds collide after a chance car accident involving a bicycle.
A Nuanced Take on Infidelity
Garai portrays Beth, a married mother and part-time Zumba instructor navigating personal grief. Her life intersects with Tom, played by Cooper, a charming GP who is also married with children. While the theme of infidelity is a common trope in television, the series distinguishes itself through the palpable chemistry between its leads. The connection between Garai and Cooper is presented as a deep, natural warmth that makes their decision to risk their stable lives feel believable.
Complex Characters and High Stakes
Written by BAFTA winner Danny Brocklehurst, the drama avoids caricatures. Rather than presenting spouses as villains or saints, the show depicts them as flawed, complex human beings. The stakes are further heightened by a complicating factor: the teenage children of both Beth and Tom are involved in their own romantic relationship. The narrative focuses on the humanity of all involved, exploring the devastating consequences of cheating without stripping the characters of their complexity.
