These are generally considered the show's peak, described as "glossy, gripping, and downright provocative" by IMDb reviewers. Many viewers on Amazon UK call it "addictive" and "one of the best shows the BBC ever did."
While mostly well-received, some reviewers found the storylines "ridiculous" or "silly" at times. A few critics argued that the show occasionally relied on "unbelievable cardboard stereotypes" and moralistic endings where infidelity always led to disaster. Mistresses (UK)
The lead cast—Sarah Parish, Sharon Small, Orla Brady, and Shelley Conn—receives high praise for their "outstanding" and "believable" performances. These are generally considered the show's peak, described
Unlike the American version's "fashionably chic" aesthetic, the UK original features characters who look and act like ordinary people, making their emotional dilemmas more relatable. described as "glossy