The Listeners (TV series)
| The Listeners | |
|---|---|
| Based on | The Listeners by Jordan Tannahill |
| Written by | Jordan Tannahill |
| Directed by | Janicza Bravo |
| Starring | Rebecca Hall |
| Country of origin |
|
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Ed King |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 19 November 2024 |
The Listeners is a 2024 television series based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Jordan Tannahill. It was developed by BBC Studios and Element Pictures, and released by BBC One on 19 November 2024.
Premise
[edit]An English teacher Claire (Rebecca Hall) is tormented by a continuous humming noise that seemingly only a few people are able to hear.[1] This premise is based on The Hum,[2] a phenomenon that has been reported in several places around the world.[3]
Cast
[edit]Source:[4]
- Rebecca Hall as Claire
- Ollie West as Kyle
- Prasanna Puwanarajah as Paul, Claire's husband
- Amr Waked as Omar, facilitator of a support group for those who hear the Hum
- Gayle Rankin as Jo, Omar's wife and co-facilitator
- Mia Tharia as Ashley, Claire's daughter
- Franc Ashman as Cassandra, Claire's colleague
- Samuel Edward-Cook as Damian, a fellow listener
- Karen Henthorn as Emily, a fellow listener
- Lucy Sheen as Teresa, a fellow listener
- Ian Mercer as Tom, Emily's husband
- Scottee as Noam, a fellow listener
- Shreya M. Patel as Seema, a fellow listener
- Kiruna Stamell as Dr Broodthaers, Claire's therapist
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Janicza Bravo | Jordan Tannahill | 19 November 2024 |
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Janicza Bravo | Jordan Tannahill | 19 November 2024 |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Janicza Bravo | Jordan Tannahill | 19 November 2024 |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Janicza Bravo | Jordan Tannahill | 19 November 2024 |
Production
[edit]Jordan Tannahill adapted his own novel for television, with Janicza Bravo on board as director.[6] Tannahill and Bravo are also executive producers on the series, along with Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann and Rachel Dargavel for Element Pictures, Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC, and Alice Birch. The series is produced by Ed King.[7]
In February 2024, Rebecca Hall was confirmed in the lead role.[8] The cast also includes Ollie West, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Amr Waked, Gayle Rankin and Mia Tharia.[1]
Filming took place in Manchester and first look images from filming were released in February 2024.[9]
Broadcast
[edit]The series was screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, in the Primetime program, and broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 19 November 2024.[10]
Reception
[edit]The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 91% approval rating with an average rating of 7.4/10 based on 11 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Unfolding its mysteries at a patient pace, The Listeners beckons viewers to pay close attention -- which is made all the easier by Rebecca Hall's compelling presence".[11]
The series received four-star reviews from The Times, The Guardian, the Daily Mail, the Financial Times, The Independent, and the Evening Standard, among others. Lucy Mangan in The Guardian called the series a "hauntingly delicate drama [that] will paralyse you with dread",[12] while India Block in the Evening Standard described it as "a hallucinatory, nightmarish drama exploring mystery and conspiracy", and actress Rebecca Hall as "a revelation."[13] James Jackson in The Times wrote "the actors are impeccable throughout, none more so than Hall, who... in the throes of ecstatic ritual, seems to be staring directly into the fabric of the universe. The Listeners takes suburban ennui to a new level altogether."[14] Asyia Iftikhar in Metro wrote "not only was this taut thriller one of the best written shows of the year, but, in an incredibly divided society, I can't help but think it is 2024's most important watch."[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Craig, David (21 February 2024). "Rebecca Hall to lead intriguing new BBC drama The Listeners". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Harrison, Ellie (20 November 2024). "'It brought me to my knees': The Hum, a mysterious noise heard all over the world". The Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ Alexander, James (19 May 2009). "Have you heard 'the Hum'?". BBC News. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Craig, David (19 November 2024). "The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Hibbs, James (2 April 2024). "This Town: Release date and news for Steven Knight drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "'The Listeners': BBC Developing TV Adaptation Of Canadian Novel From 'Normal People' Producer Element Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (29 February 2024). "First-Look: Rebecca Hall Is Teacher Tormented By Humming Noise In The BBC & Element Pictures' 'The Listeners'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (21 February 2024). "BBC Unveils Mega 12-Show Drama Slate Featuring 'Dear England' Adaptation Starring Joseph Fiennes, Aimee Lou Wood's Debut Writing Project & Rebecca Hall-Led Series From Element". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ Harp, Justin (1 March 2024). "BBC releases first-look at new drama from Normal People producers". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Cremone, Patrick (1 March 2024). "Rebecca Hall in first look at mysterious new BBC drama The Listeners". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "The Listeners: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "The Listeners review - Rebecca Hall's hauntingly delicate drama will paralyse you with dread" The Guardian, November 19, 2024.
- ^ "The Listeners on BBC One review: Rebecca Hall is a revelation as a woman pushed to the brink by 'the Hum'" Evening Standard, November 19, 2024.
- ^ "The Listeners review — a primetime mystery with an ear for the profound" The Times, November 19, 2024.
- ^ "This under-the-radar BBC drama is the best thing I've seen this year" Metro, December 5, 2024.