Acorn Media International, out now

 ‘Reveal your true self!’

Dropping into the 9pm slot on Friday nights in February and March, this new supernatural chiller from the BBC seemed like the perfect winter’s evening viewing. You could even binge it all on iPlayer if you wanted to, as the snow came down and stranded us all in our homes. But was it really the true successor to films like Don’t Look Now and The Haunting, or even more recent TV efforts like The Secret of Crickley Hall and Marchlands?

Award-winning cellist Matilda Gray (About Time and Ripper Street’s Lydia Wilson, sporting a fringe that’s more terrifying than anything in the show) is traumatised when her mother kills herself just before one of her concerts. A shocking discovery then leads Matilda back to the tiny Welsh town of Penllynith, where 23 years earlier a little girl – Carys Howell – suddenly disappeared. A girl who may or may not be her.

Accompanied by friend Hal (Plebs’ Joel Fry), who follows her around like a puppy dog, Matilda starts to stir up both memories and trouble in the community; something Carys’ mum, Rose (Secrets and Lies’ Claire Rushbrook) doesn’t take kindly to. Offered sanctuary by Nick (James Frecheville from Transparent), who has just inherited his family’s spooky old house nearby, Matilda is determined to unravel this mystery which might in turn also reveal her true identity. But what does it all have to do with mirrors? With the weird dreams she’s having and a mysterious homeless man out in the woods? You’re just going to have to watch to the end to find out.

Like a lot of supernatural dramas, Requiem moves slowly. Very slowly. However, because of the setting (the beautiful Welsh countryside) characterisation and the superb acting (the production also boasts the likes of Brassed Off’s Tara Fitzgerald and Richard Harrington from Poldark) you never once find yourself bored. There’s also just enough tension and sufficient jumpy moments to keep you on the ball, though whether you’ll find it frightening depends on if you’re a fan of harder-edged scares or not. That said, the finale really racks everything up and will probably get to you either way.

Creator Mrksa is apparently keen to get on with another series, which you’ll understand when you reach the end. Personally I hope that happens, because I’d love to see where he takes it from here. In the meantime we have all six episodes on this DVD, plus interviews with cast and crew (which includes Brendan Coyle’s gem of a quote below).

Verdict: ‘A love song to the dark side’   8/10        

Paul Kane

Click here to order Requiem from Amazon.co.uk