Bosch proves that the procedural remains not only one of television’s most popular genres but also one of its most versatile. The series hooked viewers by depicting season-long cases and moments where Titus Welliver’s titular detective was forced to dabble in shades of grey, launching a long-running franchise in the process. The latest installment, Bosch: Start of Watch, turns back the clock and features a new actor stepping into Bosch’s shoes with Cameron Monaghan. If fans want a series that hews closer to the original Bosch, they should check out Sky‘s upcoming detective thriller that features a game-changing twist.
That thriller is Meantime, based on Frankie Boyle’s novel of the same name and starring James McAvoy in the lead role. McAvoy plays Felix McAveety, a man who’s struggling with addictive tendencies all his life. One day, Felix wakes up and learns that his best friend was murdered. Wanting to clear his name, Felix hires a pair of unorthodox sleuths: a detective turned crime novelist (Josette Simon) and a longtime friend (Jamie Michie). This helps set Meantime apart from the usual detective thrillers, but it also gives McAvoy a chance to truly flex his acting muscles.
‘Meantime’ Will Let James McAvoy Play Against Type
Most of McAvoy‘s roles usually feature him as a supporting character or a grounding presence, particularly when he took on the role of Charles Xavier in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men franchise. In recent years, he’s been allowed to tap into his more chaotic side, particularly when he played a literal multitude of personalities in Split. He needs to bring that same energy to Meantime, especially given how Frankie Boyle writes Felix. Felix is often prone to bouts of paranoia and hallucinations, which often lead him to make outlandish accusations and treat everyone as though they’re a suspect in his friend’s murder. This is a thin line to walk; McAvoy needs to make sure he can nail the comedic timing without treating Felix’s addiction as a punchline.
Luckily, McAvoy was the star of a crime thriller that shows he has the skills to pull off this performance. Filth features him as Bruce Robertson, a detective who engages in vices that include drug and alcohol abuse, in addition to acting as an outright bully. As Filth goes on, it’s revealed that Robertson’s behavior is the product of a failed marriage and mental health issues, which adds layers to a character that was previously portrayed as unsympathetic. If McAvoy can bring the same level of acting to Meantime, he’ll have another great crime thriller under his belt.
Marvel and ‘Doctor Who’ Alums Will Join James McAvoy in ‘Meantime’
While James McAvoy might be the star of Meantime, he’ll also be joined by top-tier talent. In addition to Josette Simon and Jamie Michie, the cast includes Christopher Eccleston and Benedict Wong in yet-to-be-revealed roles. Like McAvoy, both actors are mostly known for genre fare, with Eccleston leading the Doctor Who revival and Wong starring in comic book adaptations including Deadly Class and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Still, it’s McAvoy who will remain the major draw, according to Sky TV boss Meghan Lyvers during a panel at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival.
“James McAvoy is in every scene, and he’s amazing…And so that feels like just a really original story that we get to tell and support.”
Meantime joins a packed slate of original and returning series from Sky, which includes the second seasons of breakout hits like Heated Rivalry and Sweetpea, in addition to an upcoming adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. That’s quite the competition, but Meantime can stand out if it stays true to the darkly comedic roots of its source material. It also needs to make sure James McAvoy has room to deliver what could be one of the best performances of his career.
Meantime is slated to premiere on Sky.
via Collider