Alice & Jack premiered on 14 February 2024. The series consists of 6 episodes.[2]
Synopsis
The series follows the lives of its titular characters over a decade and a half. Alice, a high-strung loner who works in finance, goes on a date with Jack, a shy, gentle scientist. After spending one night together, they go their separate ways, but there is an attraction that keeps bringing them back together time and again in spite of themselves.
The show is written by Victor Levin. The series is directed by Juho Kuosmanen and Hong Khaou. It is a Fremantle production in partnership with Me + You Productions, Groundswell Productions and De Maio Entertainment and Masterpiece. Tracy O'Riordan is producer on the series. Andrea Riseborough and Domnhall Gleeson will both star and executive produce. Other executive producers include Levin, Kuosmanen, Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar, Michael London, Shannon Gaulding, Lorenzo De Maio, Rebecca Dundon and Hilary Martin.[3]
Filming took place in London, southeast England and Gran Canaria in the summer of 2022.[5]
Broadcast
The series premiered in the UK on Channel 4 on 14 February 2024 and in the US on Masterpiece on March 17, 2024.[6][7]
Reception
Anita Singh of the Telegraph awarded the series two stars out of five, writing that "Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson are narcissistic and sappy, respectively, in this pretentious foil to Netflix's current hit rom-com."[8]
There's innovation in this show's bones, and that's to be applauded. It's clear that everyone involved in this project cares about it deeply, and wanted to make something new, something original.
In a number of ways, they have succeeded. Alice & Jack feels unique as you watch it, helped along by two phenomenal performances, strong visuals and a dazzling score. It largely feels more like an indie film than a series.
When the story allows these characters to explore other aspects of the human experience, rather than just their destructive, self-indulgent love story, is when it comes alive.[9]
Lucy Mangan, in The Guardian, gives two stars out of five and writes: "Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson have zero chemistry. ... Alice & Jack works harder and harder to convince us of everything, but, despite the talented leads giving it their all, there isn't enough to convince us of anything."[10]
Vicky Jessop in The Standard website also gives gives two stars out of five and writes: "...this bleeding hearts story needs a defibrillator ... Quite why either Domhnall Gleeson or Andrea Riseborough signed up for this is a mystery".[11]
Carol Midgley, in The Times, gives it four out of five stars and says: "I've fallen for this anti-rom-com".[12]
