Viewers have praised Sheridan Smith and Gemma Whelan’s performances in new BBC drama The Moorside.
The two-part show, which aired its first instalment on Tuesday February 7, is a dramatisation of the ‘fake’ Shannon Matthews kidnapping from 2008.
The drama focuses on mother Karen Matthews’ former friend Julie Bushby and her active role in the search for Shannon, whose disappearance became national news.
It later emerged that Shannon was still alive, and that her kidnap was orchestrated by Karen and her boyfriend Michael Donovan.
Smith’s take on Bushby was hailed as ‘absolutely phenomenal’ as viewers shared their reactions to the show on Twitter.
One fan asked, ‘is there any role Sheridan Smith can’t play?’
There was also huge praise for Gemma Whelan’s portrayal of Karen Matthews – a world away from her Game of Thrones role as Yara Greyjoy.
The Moorside, BBC - in pictures
One viewer noted she ‘looks more like Karen Matthews than Karen Matthews’.
Speaking on This Morning recently, Julie Bushby said she remains friends with Smith after the pair worked closely together during filming.
“We’re still mates now,” she said. “She didn’t really ask ‘owt of me, she just spent time with me, and every time I spoke she was repeating it, trying to do it in my accent.”
Bushby’s friend Natalie Murray added: “Sheridan playing Julie, that was scary – how accurate they got Julie.”
The second episode of The Moorside is set to air next Tuesday.
BBC One, 9pm
