I didn't really expect to be watching this series on ITV, but as I'm from Hartlepool I just had to take a look. I was happily surprised, mainly because of Eddie Marsan's performance is outstanding.
He is both endearing, manipulative and a delusionalist.
Endearing because of his smooth tongue. Manipulative in his seduction of his wife and a delusionalist for thinking he could get away with any of it.
Yes, it's true, this is not Seaton Carew, but the usual state of affairs for films telling you they are somewhere they are not.
As for the goof of the accent being from 25+ miles up the coast, that is totally wrong. The two stars have a very good Hartlepool accent. It isn't Geordie by a long stretch.
To get there you have to go through a few coastal territories, with what are called the 'Pit Yackers' of the old mining villages of Horden and Easington. Then we hit Sunderland, with the Mackems (famous for the Netflix series 'Sunderland Till I Die') and then, finally we get to Newcastle, home of the Geordie. For communities so close, geographically speaking, there is such a rich diversity of dialect.
So in this review, let's hear some praise for the dialect coach! They have done a great job here.
Beyond that, yes you know the outcome, but the journey is so rich, you will love the story, the characters and the performances of the lead talent.