What would you do if you were accused of a crime you didn’t commit? That’s the situation James McAvoy’s character, Felix, faces in Sky’s wildly compelling new crime thriller Meantime. The twisty series brings to life Frankie Boyle’s Sunday Times bestselling novel of the same name with the help of stars from Shetland and Doctor Who – and, no spoilers, but crime thriller fans are in for quite a treat.
You see, Felix is merely a “convenient” suspect for the police; a drug addict who doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record. But Felix didn’t do it and he’s determined to prove it, even if it means he has to take the murder investigation into his own hands. With a cast that includes Shetland’s Mark Bonnar and Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston, it’s a series that’s set to get everybody talking.
While we patiently wait for Meantime to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming series, including the plot, cast and release date.
What is Meantime about?
Described by Sky as a “a distinctly comic crime thriller”, the six-part series is written by Frankie Boyle and Neil Webster and based on Boyle’s Sunday Times bestselling debut novel of the same name. The story follows Felix McAveety (played by James McAvoy), a Valium addict whose best friend, Marina, is found murdered in a Glasgow park. And who do the police make the suspect? Felix, of course.
Sky’s official synopsis continues: “In a fog of intoxication and paranoia, Felix sets out to clear his name, enlisting the help of an ageing former Detective Inspector turned crime novelist (Josette Simon) and a chaotic friend (Jamie Michie). Their search for the truth becomes an exhilarating and frequently laugh-out-loud race through the murkier edges of contemporary Scotland, as events rapidly spiral out of control around him.”
Who’s in the cast of Meantime?
The cast of Meantime includes:
- James McAvoy (Split, Atonement)
- Jamie Michie (Borderline)
- Shauna MacDonald (Nails)
- Josette Simon (Anatomy of a Scandal)
- Janine Harouni (Colette)
- Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who)
- Mark Bonnar (Shetland, The Rig)
- Shirley Henderson (Summerwater)
- Benedict Wong (Top Boy)
- Emun Elliott (The Paradise)
- Laurie Brett (Waterloo Road)
- Martin Quinn (The Lovers)
- Jordan Young (River City)
- Lois Chimimba (Coldwater)
- Michael Moreland (The Son)
- Joy McAvoy (Two Doors Down)
- Hanna Stanbridge (River City)
- Greg Hemphill (Still Game)
- Robin Laing (Only Child)
- Kate Donnely (Trainspotting)
- George Robinson (Sex Education)
Is Frankie Boyle’s book, Meantime, any good?
Yes - Boyle's crime fiction debut is a brilliant, modern whodunnit that’s both gritty and witty. It’s received rave reviews from both readers and fellow authors, with Denise Mina calling it “a darkest noir, unputdownable crime novel that swerves and surprises” and readers describing it as “very funny” with a “sarcastically trippy” narrative. Our verdict: a compelling, twisty read you should absolutely dive into before the series arrives.
How can I watch Meantime?
Sadly, we’ve got a bit of time to wait before we can watch Meantime as Sky has announced that it will be available next year on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland. In the meantime, you can check our pick of the best crime thrillers to watch now below.
What other crime thrillers can I watch now?
If you enjoy a particularly dark crime thriller, The Beast in Me is worth catching up on. The eight-part series centres around acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), who’s receded from public life following the tragic death of her young son. She finds an unlikely subject for a new book, however, when the house next door is bought by Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), who was once the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance. You can watch The Beast in Me now on Netflix. Another series we’d highly recommend is Under Salt Marsh. The drama takes place in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen, where former detective turned teacher Jackie Ellis (Kelly Reilly) discovers the body of her 8-year-old pupil, Cefin, who appears to have drowned. This isn’t, it transpires, the first time a traumatic occurrence has taken place in the town – but are the cases linked? You can watch Under Salt Marsh on Sky. For a sneak preview of what else is coming up, see our round-up of the best crime thrillers coming to our screens soon here.
