Framed

Set almost entirely in Wales, Framed tells the story of 10-year-old Dylan Hughes and his family's struggle to keep their small petrol station, which sits at the foot of a mountain in North Wales, afloat.

Manod village is a rain-soaked community where hope is thin on the ground, and money even thinner. When Dylan's dad suddenly leaves home, things get even tougher for him, his sisters Minnie and Marie, baby brother Max, and his mother.

Da's departure however, coincides with the secretive arrival of a convoy of men and trucks, who take residence on top of the mountain. The villagers discover that the National Gallery in London has been flooded, and the priceless paintings sent by the lorry load to Wales for safe storage in the bowels of the old slate mine inside Manod mountain (as they were back in the Second World War).

In charge of this is Lester, an intelligent but uptight art curator who prefers paintings to people. That is, until a funny and pivotal misunderstanding leads him to invite Dylan to view the paintings inside the mountain. What ensues is good news for both Lester and the rather depressed town of Manod.

Manod develops an interest in art and Lester develops an interest in Manod, in the form of the lovely Angharad, the local school teacher. Through the transformative power of art, Manod starts to transform itself, beginning with the service station, where Mam and the children revive the flagging fortunes of the petrol station by broadening the services they offer into catering and a coffee bar.

However, despite everybody's best efforts, the petrol station faces closure when the family fail to generate enough cash to keep it going. Could an audacious art theft solve their problems?

BetaSeries' opinion

Discover the Depths of Drama with Screen Two: A Must-Watch Anthology Series

If you are a fan of thought-provoking narratives and high-quality dramatic performances, then Screen Two, a seminal British television anthology series, deserves a spot on your watchlist. Airing from 1985 to 1998 on BBC2, this series brought forth an array of standalone dramas that captured the essence of human experiences through its innovative storytelling. As a spiritual successor to the beloved Play for Today, Screen Two marked a significant shift in how stories were told on British television. Each episode is crafted as a cinematic gem, filmed entirely on location rather than confined to studio sets, allowing viewers to immerse themselves fully in each narrative.

One of the standout features of Screen Two is its commitment to quality over quantity. With 15 seasons comprising 168 episodes, each installment offers a distinct tale that reflects varied aspects of life in Britain during its time. The first episode sets the tone for what’s to come: depicting a gritty encounter between British soldiers and civilians at the Northern Irish border—an intense opening that resonates with historical context and social commentary. This approach not only engages viewers but also encourages them to reflect upon societal issues through the lens of drama.

The anthology format means that you can jump into any episode without needing prior context about previous installments. This accessibility makes Screen Two perfect for binge-watching or casual viewing alike; whether you have an hour or an evening free, there’s something here for everyone. Fans of other acclaimed shows like BBC Drama, On the Edge (2018), or even theater-inspired pieces like Great British Theatre will find comfort in familiar themes while discovering new dimensions in storytelling through this series.

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