TV Review: Cilla Episode One

Sheridan Smith was outstanding in her portrayal of Cilla in first installment of the ITV drama.

ITV Drama Cilla has been hyped up ever since the first trailer was released. Here at Film and TV Now we not so patiently waited for a release date for it to air. When we finally got one, 15^th September, it couldn’t come round quick enough.

Today, after spending most of the day watching Sheridan Smith talk about her portrayal of the lead role of Cilla, we finally sat down and watched it and let me tell you, it lived way up to our expectations.

From writer Jeff Pope (Mrs Biggs), Sheridan Smith (The 7.39, Mrs Biggs) shines as Cilla Black in the first part of three-part drama Cilla which aired on ITV this evening (Monday) at 9pm.

Set and filmed in Liverpool, the first episode introduced the audience to Priscilla White, a typist by day, and singer at The Cavern Club with the likes of rising stars The Beatles by night, Cilla years for a career in the limelight.

It seems she’s about to get one when childhood friend Ringo Starr (Tom Dunlea) invites her on tour, which she unfortunately has to recline due to Cilla’s protective Catholic father (John Henshaw)

Cilla’s spirit are soon lifted when she is introduced to Bobby Willis (Aneurin Barnard), an ‘older songwriter with a nice car and successful career in the music businesses who we later find out actually works in a bakery and is the same age as Cilla. When she finds out Bobby has lied to her, she refuses to see him again, despite Bobby being in love with her.

A chance encounter helps Bobby win back Cilla and let him manage her when he proposes an improved performance fee. Unfortunately for Bobby, his plan falls through and is forced to back away when he finds out Cilla has been given the opportunity to sing for Brian Epstein, thanks to her friends The Beatles.

When the audition comes around however, Cilla blows her chance when nerves get the better of her. She is then forced to think about the future without a singing career, stuck in her typist job without Bobby.

Sheridan Smiths portrayal of Cilla was outstanding. As soon as she opened her mouth to speak, let alone sing we knew we were in for a treat. To quote Bobby, ‘I knew you were good, I just didn’t know you were that good’. We did really. This role could quite possibly be Sheridan’s next BAFTA role.

Part two of the drama airs Monday 22nd September.  We’d love to hear what you thought of the first episode below:

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