Really good drama, if you have a reason to watch 'You don't know me' then watch it for the superb acting by these young actors. Samuel Adewunmi is an amazing actor and I wager that he is going to be a huge star in the future.
153 Reviews
Interesting thriller with a novel twist that's worth sticking with
JRB-NorthernSoul8 December 2021
A man on trial accused of murder and facing overwhelming evidence against him decides at the last moment to sack his barrister and give his own summing up speech in his defence.
It's an intriguing premise, adapted by Tom Edge from the acclaimed novel by Imran Mahmood. We travel back in time to see what really happened, slowly revealed over four episodes.
I thought the production values were top notch in terms of direction and photography with Birmingham filling in for London. The writing was very good with some great dialogue and a very strong plot that intrigued me. The cast was excellent and I'd agree with other reviewers that lead Samuel Adewunmi is a young actor with a very bright future ahead of him.
Solid 7/10 for me, felt punchy, fresh and interesting and it was well made.
It's an intriguing premise, adapted by Tom Edge from the acclaimed novel by Imran Mahmood. We travel back in time to see what really happened, slowly revealed over four episodes.
I thought the production values were top notch in terms of direction and photography with Birmingham filling in for London. The writing was very good with some great dialogue and a very strong plot that intrigued me. The cast was excellent and I'd agree with other reviewers that lead Samuel Adewunmi is a young actor with a very bright future ahead of him.
Solid 7/10 for me, felt punchy, fresh and interesting and it was well made.
Slow burner
Foxtrot-Alpha77713 December 2021
It amuses me that some reviews say this is boring, tripe and a waste of time. Perhaps this says more about the attention spans of these reviewers than it does about the writing, direction and acting. It has to said that it's not as fast paced as some series but in many respects it benefits from this.
Samuel Adewunmi And the rest of the actors to a great job, Adewunmi being a real standout performance.
Give it a chance and you will enjoy it.
Samuel Adewunmi And the rest of the actors to a great job, Adewunmi being a real standout performance.
Give it a chance and you will enjoy it.
Worth Watching
wheatley-2023013 December 2021
The unusual structure reduces the thriller element that might have been, but it lends depth and weight to the story, leaving you unsure as to what to believe until the final episode. That kept us watching until the end and we finished the series glad that we had done so.
Good, but too many contrived twists.
ignastio13 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Even though this drama does push through the boundary of believability with the courtroom speech scenario, it is worth watching, mostly for the good acting across the board.
The one thing that riled me up was the last 10-15 minutes. I just felt that the series of plot twists felt artificial. Seeing the jury read out the verdict twice (yes, I know it was just him playing out the scenario in his head) then realising in the closing moments that it was going to be left hanging... I tell you this, I shouted at my television. The ending didn't ruin it, but made it all seem a bit silly. Still, overall it was a decent watch.
The one thing that riled me up was the last 10-15 minutes. I just felt that the series of plot twists felt artificial. Seeing the jury read out the verdict twice (yes, I know it was just him playing out the scenario in his head) then realising in the closing moments that it was going to be left hanging... I tell you this, I shouted at my television. The ending didn't ruin it, but made it all seem a bit silly. Still, overall it was a decent watch.
A slow burner, stick with it.
PeteThePrimate8 December 2021
I've watched all 4 episodes. The story starts off simply enough but there are several twists and turns along the way that keep your attention. The acting is good and the dialogue well written. There's a good balance of courtroom scenes and flashbacks. I don't know how much of the program is accurate as regards the legal process but I enjoyed it all and would recommend it as it's very different to most of the dross on TV these days.
Would have been 9 if not for the end..
nishil-patel113 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Absolutely nothing better than court room drama except this wasn't your typical good vs bad. It had real bite to it. Thoroughly enjoyed throughout until the end which was like the story writers couldn't decide what to do and therefore decided to do nothing! Left the door open for another season except it wasn't one of those serials that can do another one! They could have had a spectacular finale and instead ended with a damp squid!!
Good but could have been great!!
Good but could have been great!!
Amazing show!
heibeinh20 June 2022
Give it chance!
Antiguan-Princess8 December 2021
I don't understand how people can write a valid review after only watching one episode. It does definitely get better and there are many unexpected events that follow. It's not as predictable as one might initially think. It is a bit if slow burner but enough happens during the build up to keep you intrigued. The acting is good enough but not outstanding and the characters perhaos a little cliche but don't let that put you off. Overall I found it to be an enjoyable mid week suspense series. Not all set in the court room thank goodness as others imply. However, the ending was a tiny bit annoying but I suppose I can see the logic in it.
Far better than I expected
samthejudgeamos16 December 2021
I almost didn't watch this, the initial bits appeared to be a bit too much of the "fam, bruv, innit" for my personal taste. I am so glad I stuck with it. Plenty to it, not an overly happy subject which I initially thought would be like watching paint dry being courtroom based. It was really well acted and kept me watching.
Well done BBC.
Well done BBC.
Interesting but flawed TV drama
wellthatswhatithinkanyway20 December 2021
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
Hero (Samuel Adewui) is standing trial, accused of murdering Jamil Issa (Roger Jean Nsengiyumva), a local drug dealer. Sacking his barrister, and providing his own closing statement to the jury, he weaves a story of how he went from being a humble car showroom salesman, until a girl called Kyra (Sophie Wilde) caught his eye on the bus, leading him in to a rollercoaster of mayhem, violence and murder.
This much touted BBC drama from writer Tom Edge, adapted from the novel by Imran Mahmoud, arrives on the back of a wave of publicity in the mainstream outlets, with it's majority urban cast, and allusion towards the black experience in the Criminal Justice System. Spread out over four parts, it portrays a convoluted tale that is intentionally made to seem unfathomable to those on the safe side of the law, those from the outside looking in as the accused pleads his case.
Performances wise, in the lead, Adewunmi is certainly impassioned, and carries the affair with power and conviction, assisted by an equally committed supporting cast, in the tale of a man striving to live a straight, legitimate life, who suddenly has to adjust to a life of gangs and violence, all for the love of a woman, which is enough to push any man over the edge. It's this kind of understanding that the writing pleads with you to understand.
Somehow, it's not as dynamic and compelling as it could have been, perhaps over drawn out at four episodes, with a bothersome ending that ends up leaving you to draw your own conclusion, but overall it's still highly interesting and worthwhile. ***
Hero (Samuel Adewui) is standing trial, accused of murdering Jamil Issa (Roger Jean Nsengiyumva), a local drug dealer. Sacking his barrister, and providing his own closing statement to the jury, he weaves a story of how he went from being a humble car showroom salesman, until a girl called Kyra (Sophie Wilde) caught his eye on the bus, leading him in to a rollercoaster of mayhem, violence and murder.
This much touted BBC drama from writer Tom Edge, adapted from the novel by Imran Mahmoud, arrives on the back of a wave of publicity in the mainstream outlets, with it's majority urban cast, and allusion towards the black experience in the Criminal Justice System. Spread out over four parts, it portrays a convoluted tale that is intentionally made to seem unfathomable to those on the safe side of the law, those from the outside looking in as the accused pleads his case.
Performances wise, in the lead, Adewunmi is certainly impassioned, and carries the affair with power and conviction, assisted by an equally committed supporting cast, in the tale of a man striving to live a straight, legitimate life, who suddenly has to adjust to a life of gangs and violence, all for the love of a woman, which is enough to push any man over the edge. It's this kind of understanding that the writing pleads with you to understand.
Somehow, it's not as dynamic and compelling as it could have been, perhaps over drawn out at four episodes, with a bothersome ending that ends up leaving you to draw your own conclusion, but overall it's still highly interesting and worthwhile. ***
Poor Ending
BurnhamTV15 December 2021
I agree with other comments here that at 4 X 1 hour episodes, it was too long. It could, and should, have been aired over 3 episodes.
I found that some of the dialogue was somewhat indistinct, but the structure of un-telling the events keeps the viewer's attention.
As for the ending, well, a complete mess. I felt the same way as in the 1960s when I left a cinema after watching 2001, A Space Odyssey. ( A "what on earth was that about?")
I found that some of the dialogue was somewhat indistinct, but the structure of un-telling the events keeps the viewer's attention.
As for the ending, well, a complete mess. I felt the same way as in the 1960s when I left a cinema after watching 2001, A Space Odyssey. ( A "what on earth was that about?")
Enjoyable
ealder-4304912 December 2021
So it may not be entirely accurate in terms of following the legal process, but it is a story, so I don't see why there are 1star reviews meaning about the court room process.
Anyway, I watched this is 2 sittings. I did reapply enjoy the story and the twists. A couple of characters I couldn't really grow to like unfortunately but I particularly found Bless a wonderful character.
The ending annoyed me but I wasn't left disappointed.
Would recommend.
Anyway, I watched this is 2 sittings. I did reapply enjoy the story and the twists. A couple of characters I couldn't really grow to like unfortunately but I particularly found Bless a wonderful character.
The ending annoyed me but I wasn't left disappointed.
Would recommend.
Ending pulled rating down
jstiling29 June 2022
Excellent series, better than its rating
jeffpsy27 June 2022
When I saw that You Don't Know Me had a 6.9 rating, I was surprised; I gave it an 8.5. The writing was brilliant, the device of letting the audience see the story through a defendant's summation to the jury was quite clever, and the acting was stellar. Also, its treatment of communities of color in London was nuanced and respectful. Among other things, the story showed how folks could get swept up in a vortex of crime, however well-intended.
When I reached the end, I figured out why the show's rating was that low: Many folks were unhappy with the ending, and expressed it with their rating. Don't be misled. This was a moving and quality miniseries.
When I reached the end, I figured out why the show's rating was that low: Many folks were unhappy with the ending, and expressed it with their rating. Don't be misled. This was a moving and quality miniseries.
Almost good
mariamakesmusic13 August 2022
Another great series from The BBC.
Sleepin_Dragon2 January 2022
Hero has landed up in court, accused of murder, but is he guilty or not, he tells his story, it's up to The Jury to decide.
Did Hero reach this point because of his love or infatuation for the beautiful Kyra? It's very easy to be blinkered when you're in love.
This is one cracking four part drama, it's superbly written, amazingly produced, and features some terrific acting, Samuel Adewunmi is awesome throughout as Hero.
It really is a fascinating story, I loved the unusual format, this is such a rewarding watch.
The BBC has really delivered some awesome dramas in recent times, Showtrial, The Girl before, and now this, yet another quality production.
Loved it, 9/10.
Did Hero reach this point because of his love or infatuation for the beautiful Kyra? It's very easy to be blinkered when you're in love.
This is one cracking four part drama, it's superbly written, amazingly produced, and features some terrific acting, Samuel Adewunmi is awesome throughout as Hero.
It really is a fascinating story, I loved the unusual format, this is such a rewarding watch.
The BBC has really delivered some awesome dramas in recent times, Showtrial, The Girl before, and now this, yet another quality production.
Loved it, 9/10.
Started out great
zentro8 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The first two episodes of this fascinating drama were fantastic. But then, something that should have gotten a definitive wrap-up went off track with an absurdly complicated and convoluted script.
Then, instead of an ending we get a cop-out. I realize that the writer probably thought his ending was an edgy nod toward the uncertainty of life, but I think to most of us it was merely a dodge. The whole series was about facts but the most important fact was denied the audience.
The acting was first rate, zero complaints. I guess my problem is that this series had immense potential that was squandered for ineffable reasons.
Then, instead of an ending we get a cop-out. I realize that the writer probably thought his ending was an edgy nod toward the uncertainty of life, but I think to most of us it was merely a dodge. The whole series was about facts but the most important fact was denied the audience.
The acting was first rate, zero complaints. I guess my problem is that this series had immense potential that was squandered for ineffable reasons.
Disappointing
alan.hughes15 December 2021
There are some excellent actors here who do their best with the script; but it is a hopeless endeavour. The characters are stereotypes and unbelievable and the legal setting fails to be credible. The slow pace destroys any attempt at being a thriller, the single viewpoint makes the legal drama fail. The ending robs everyone of any satisfaction.
Worth to be watched
manugw19 June 2022
A crime thriller with all the cliches of the genre. A good script, the good and bad guys, tension, weapons, blood, violence, cops and gore. Good twist and turns, cunning and unexpected, the last one is terrific, it challenged my understanding, and this is what I liked. A four chapters size looked appropriate to avoid the unnecesary dragging that makes a good product burdensome for viewers. In my opinion for the last twist deserved eight points.
GREAT ACTING BUT DISAPPOINTING ENDING
bobr-3764620 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This started off very well and the characters were interesting and well developed. The story is told by going back and forth between the courtroom scenes where the defendant is describing what happened and then we're transported to those past events. I normally don't care for this type of storytelling but they did a pretty good job of it and it was effective. The whole point of this series is to gradually reveal whether or not the defendant is guilty and as events unfold it leaves you wondering how it's going to turn out. Unfortunately at the very end they show two alternative endings so we never know. A good story needs a good ending and if I would have known there wasn't going to be one I would never have watched it. I'm wondering if this was some kind of gimmick for a possible second season that never happened. Whatever the reason is I was very disappointed because it was very good right up until the last few minutes and then it leaves you hanging and feeling like you wasted your time watching it.
Unrealistic
gallagherkellie17 July 2022
I'm not sure how this has so many decent reviews. The acting was good but the story was so ridiculous. I can't believe how convoluted it got. I didn't like or root for any of the characters. They made the worst decisions.
Nice and interesting to watch...
pourtoutetrienmv8 July 2022
It is a well -crafted and intelligent story. There are sometimes lengths... but I liked knowing the rest until the end... and it's worth it. It is unlikely that a criminal accused can defend himself as in this story... but I found it original. The actors are credible and well directed. I give a 9/10 to the first as well as to the last episode. I give a 7/10 to this series.
Intense and unpredictable
tobpeterson21 June 2022
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