TV preview: The Replacement
This three-part psychological thriller set in Glasgow follows the paranoia of a woman who sees her identity being dismantled and can't work out whether the cause is another woman or her own baby.
Ellen (Morven Christie) gets unexpectedly pregnant just after landing a big contract for her architects’ practice. She hopes to be away for the shortest time and hires someone to cover the gap. Paula (Vicky McClure) is the same age as Ellen but already has a 10-year-old daughter.
At first Paula seems the perfect hire – enthusiastic, personable, super-competent. But Ellen soon begins to worry she has another agenda and becomes increasingly disturbed by her subtle manipulations.
“I like stories about paranoia where our main character is the only one who can see what’s going on while everyone around them thinks they’re going crazy,” says writer and director Joe Ahearne. “This type of story gives you the opportunity to photograph a character thinking not just talking and makes for much more visual and compelling drama.
“Someone going on maternity leave and having to deal with a temporary replacement seemed like a great way to explore this emotion.”
The Replacement, BBC1, Tuesday, 9pm