The Returned (Channel 4, Sunday, 9PM)

The popularity of foreign television dramas like The Killing and slow-burn mysteries like Broadchurch suggests that Channel 4's broadcasting of French drama The Returned is an attempt to cash in on these trends. However, The Returned is a truly unique piece that provides the perfect example for why more foreign television should be made aware to the general British public.

A plot synopsis alone demonstrates the peculiarity of the show: the drama follows a number of individuals who return to their hometown, only to find out that they have been dead for years. Many summaries and discussions of the show describe these individuals as zombies, which to me is inaccurate. Zombies are mentioned twice in the first six episodes, while ghost is a much more common term although the eeriness of the drama lies in the lack of explanation of who/what the Returned are. If we look at the untranslated title - Les Revenants - it is clear that they are meant to be considered for the most part as ghosts, particularly as this is what the word 'revenant' alludes to.

But the supernatural element is not the main focus of the show. Much like Broadchurch, The Returned presents its genre through the perspective of an ordinary community and uses to explore the relationships of the characters. While there are some dream-like imagery (such as the butterfly coming to life in the first episode), the show makes the supernatural ordinary and rather than asking what caused the return, it presents how the characters try to incorporate it into their lives. Rather than mystifying or frustrating, the plot gradually unravels with ease as it draws you in with its atmosphere and characters. The one misstep is the ongoing plotline at a plantation which doesn't tie into any of the plot lines. It is either a red herring or an important part of the story, but at the moment it's the one jarring aspect to the production.

The performances are fantastic across the board. The potential for confusion and forgetting who is who is reduced by the memorable performances and extraordinary writing. The child actors are particularly impressive. Yara Pilartz as Camille is arguably the lead character (although the show is generally based on an ensemble cast) as her story begins the series but she also lends some comic relief when she's not pushing the drama forward. Swann Nambotin as "Victor" is also strikingly memorable, saying very little but really has a lingering presence on screen that is at once charming and unnerving.

This effect is generated by the superb direction throughout the series. There is real confidence behind the camera which isn't afraid to linger on uncomfortable moments. The murders that occur are suitably horrifying and disturbing in their violence. Yet there is also a distanced perspective, letting the characters tell the story and grounding the show rather than overstylising it. The moments of surrealism and bizarre imagery are striking but feed into the drama and emphasise the peculiarities of the world it depicts. Considering how alienating the material could be, it is impressive that it remains gripping throughout, with endings that leave you longing for more.

I intend to post on the final episodes once they have aired, but safe to say this is one of the best dramas I've seen this year and is well worth catching up on as we approach the finale of this first series. As I'm now aware there is going to be a second series, I'm curious to see how much will be resolved by the end of this series. As long as its not a massive cliffhanger that I'll then have to wait months for a resolution to - I don't think my nerves could take it.