Sheridan smith's descent: a teacher's scandal unravels in new channel 5 drama
Sheridan Smith delivers a truly unsettling performance in The Teacher, a new Channel 5 thriller that plunges viewers into a web of deception and moral ambiguity. It’s a showcase of her remarkable ability to inhabit a character’s darkest corners – a talent she’s honed over years of captivating roles, from crime adaptations to comedic brilliance.
A cautionary tale of blurred boundaries
The series centers on Jenna (Smith), a respected English teacher whose life violently implodes when she’s accused of a shocking encounter with a student, Kyle (Samuel Bottomley). Despite having no recollection of the event, Jenna must confront the wreckage of her life, battling not only the legal ramifications but also her own fractured sense of self. It’s a relentlessly uncomfortable watch, forcing viewers to question the nature of trust and the devastating consequences of a single lapse in judgment.
The Teacher isn’t simply a crime drama; it’s a meticulously crafted exploration of human fallibility. Smith, in a particularly nuanced portrayal, captures Jenna's initial naivety – a desire to be a supportive mentor that ultimately proves disastrous. She admits in an interview with The Express, "She tries to be a mate to her students, which is her undoing in the end. There are teacher-student boundaries, and she has maybe let that slip." The supporting cast – Karen Henthorn as the dogged DI Sowerby, Kelvin Fletcher as Jenna’s conflicted colleague Jack, and Sharon Rooney as the equally vulnerable Nina – all contribute to the show’s palpable sense of unease.
Critics have been divided. The Telegraph praised Smith’s “likeability” despite her character’s flaws, noting her ability to “bring a shade of humanity to all of her characters, without hiding their mistakes.” The Times, however, acknowledged the show’s occasional theatricality, conceding, “Did you think The Teacher was sometimes theatrical and implausible? Did you find yourself yelling at the screen: ‘But a secondary school teacher would never wear a skirt as short as that in the presence of teenage boys’? Me too. Did you also find it highly entertaining and totally moreish? Hell yes, me too.”
What’s more, The Teacher operates on an anthology format, meaning each season tackles a distinct narrative. Season two, starring Kara Tointon as Dani Oxley, promises a similar level of suspense, exploring the fallout of a teacher’s illicit affair with a student. It’s a bold move, but one that underscores the series’ commitment to examining complex moral dilemmas.
Viewers in the UK can currently stream the entire four-episode series for free on Channel 5, with further episodes available on Disney+. But be warned: Sheridan Smith’s Jenna isn’t a character you’ll soon forget – or easily forgive.