New drama hailed as ‘best show of the year’ finally coming to UK TV-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

The show follows the unravelling of a picture-perfect family after a hideous accusation (Picture: Lingo Pictures)

The release date of a highly acclaimed ‘gripping’ thriller has finally been unveiled on Channel 4.

After the Party, which first aired on TVNZ in New Zealand last year, is coming to the broadcaster on Wednesday, November 20.

The six-parter follows Phil (Peter Mullan) returning to his hometown five years after being accused of sexually assaulting his teenage daughter’s friend by his ex-wife Penny (Robyn Malcolm).

The drama has earned rave reviews from viewers with YouTube user @shaunminehan declaring it the ‘best show of the year. By far.’

Echoing their sentiment, @kellystweart634 raved: ‘This was so gripping, very well acted.’

Multiple others including @liznicholas022 and @magsw6 branded After the Party ‘brilliant.’

On Reddit, Robyn, 59, attracted widespread praise for her performance as Penny – whose life is ruined when she accuses her husband of the hideous crime – with many questioning why she wasn’t a bigger star in Hollywood.

GoldGarage115 commented: ‘I’m a bit of sucker for anything with Robyn Malcom so I had to watch and honestly I think it’s a great drama that captures small coastal life pretty well, and the acting is brilliant, I’m really looking forward to see where it goes.’

Hav0cnz_ added: ‘I keep expecting someone from one of the big casting agencies in the states to recognise her talent and swoop down to cast her in some ridiculous budget Hollywood thing.’

Teasing what’s to come, Commerical-Artist986 wrote: ‘Just saw last episode. WOW.’

Penny accuses her husband of sexually assaulting their teenage daughter’s friend (Picture: Lingo Pictures)

After the Party is not the only Antipodean show making waves in the UK after viewers discovered Netflix had quietly added Australian show Upper Middle Bogan.

The comedy series, which follows the story of two different families connected by blood who enter each other’s lives after a shocking discovery, was once dubbed ‘the funniest show ever’ by fans.

‘For anyone who wants a good funny Australian tv show watch Upper Middle Bogan,’ doiekookie posted on X.

‘Just finished a rewatch of Upper Middle Bogan, first time I’ve seen it in like idk 5 years… it really holds up. It’s kinda like an Australian Modern Family, for those who are interested and don’t know it. Just a short 24 episodes too, so I recommend,’ Riley shared.

Robyn’s performance has particularly been singled out by fans (Picture: Lingo Pictures/ Marc Weakley)

Other Australian TV shows to have taken the world by storm include ‘close to perfect’ romcom Colin From Accounts, which is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Set in Sydney, it follows Ashley (Harriet Dyer) and Gordon (Patrick Brammall) who are brought together after she flashes her boobs while crossing a road, the distraction of which causes him to hit a dog, who they then call Colin.  

The Office fans have also binged fellow dead-pan workplace comedy Fisk, which can be watched on Netflix in the UK.

After The Party starts on Channel 4 on Wednesday November at 9pm.

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