THIS is the moment that Ten Pound Poms fans slammed ‘xx’ as Marlene fell down the stairs.
The BBC One drama follows a group of Brits as they escaped post-war Britain for a life-changing adventure down under.
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Once, referred to as Poms in Australia and New Zealand, they are promised a better house, better job prospects, and a better quality of life for just £10.
However, the group soon learn life in Australia is not quite what was promised, as depicted on Ten Pound Poms.
The series follows a group of characters with their triumphs and pitfalls as they adapt to their new lives in a country far from the familiarity of the UK.
Now the much loved show has returned to our screens with a brand new season.
After a challenging first year in Australia, series two follows nurse Kate Thorne (Michelle Keegan) and the Roberts family (led by Faye Marsay and Warren Brown) into 1957.
Each of them is determined to achieve their slice of the Australian dream against all odds.
In the first episode, shop manager Marlene played by Cheree Cassidy hosted a beach party for her staff.
This was despite the fact that she had arranged to meet her ex-husband Donald at the shop.
Donald then turned up for the meeting and was furious that she was absent, and he presumed that she closed the shop on purpose to avoid him.
Later, Marlene’s staff turned up for work but were kept waiting on the pavement as the shop was still closed.
Shop supervisor Annie (played by Faye Marsay) thought Marlene’s absence was strange but opened up the dress shop for her.
The screen then flashed to Marlene sitting on her staircase at home reading a threatening note from Donald.
The note said: “You cannot keep avoiding this. I will be back tomorrow and the next day. And the next day. Donald”
Annie then rang Marlene at home to find out what was going on but Marlene didn’t answer the phone.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
Instead, a contemplative Marlene stood up and glanced down the staircase, before she then appeared to fake a fall.
But instead of just throwing herself to the bottom, she did a very camp faint then tumbled to the bottom and flickered her eyes in a bizarre stunt.
Despite the action, BBC One viewers slammed the return of the new series after soo long off-screen as they claimed they couldn’t properly invest in the show.
One viewer said: “I can’t remember a damn thing. F*** this s***.”
A second wrote: “It’s been two years since the first season. How is anyone expected to remember anything? I’ve literally “lost the plot.” Disconnected, no longer invested. Too long between seasons.”
A third added: “So long for S2 to come out, I’ve forgotten who’s who from the 1st Season.”
Series one of the post-WW2 migration drama became one of the nation’s most prominent new TV series to be launched last year, amassing a 28-day figure of 7.7 million viewers.
It was awarded two Golden Nymphs at the 62nd Annual Monte Carlo Television Festival for Best Series, with Warren’s portrayal of Terry winning Best Actor.
The new season introduces some exciting new characters to fans, including the Skinner family, fresh from Ireland and the unscrupulous landlord Benny Bates who we saw tonight.
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Ten Pound Poms airs on BBC1 on Sunday evenings.
