s3276169 Midwinter of the Spirit is an unsettling supernatural thriller, reminiscent of the Exorcist films. This mini series is not as violent as the Exorcist franchise but it shares the same tense atmosphere inhabited by a creeping, scuttling, increasing intrusive, evil. An evil that leaves no place safe, not even the comfortably familiar haven, the family home.This is a a well scripted mini series, with a good solid foundation in terms of its story and a very believable cast of characters, who hand in, often frighteningly convincing performances. Topping this off is well developed narrative that slowly draws you into the story, lending added credibility to what is an otherworldly tale. In short Midwinter of the Spirit is a high caliber UK production that is a must watch. My advice, just don't watch it alone. Eight out of ten from me.

rogerjmead Having read all the books & was expecting, if their author had anything to do with the production, characterisations close to the book, especially since they are described in detail, together with the humour and local feel for character that is amply explored in them. This production had nothing to do with that and was a poor representation of the story. Even if I had not read the books I would have been annoyed by the music drowning the speech and the central characters lifeless performance. She is much better in other things.ITV need to do better if they make further series from these books and need to involve the author, which I assume they did not do this time.

Tweekums This new ITV drama is set in rural Herefordshire where vicar Merrily Watkins has recently been made a deliverance minister; better known as an exorcist. She hasn't been in the post for long when the police as for her opinions when a man is found crucified in woodland; she is understandably shocked but doesn't see how she can help. Later she is asked to attend a dying man in the hospital; the nurses are afraid to go near him and as he dies Merrily senses an evil presence as he grips her hand so hard that he draws blood. After this she has a feeling of his presence and starts to believe that she is out of her depth. If this wasn't enough her daughter is becoming more and more estranged after meeting another, slightly older, girl who turns out to be the dead man's daughter. If she is to save her daughter and ultimately the local cathedral she, and her mentor Huw Owen will have to find the connection between current events and events that happened there in the Middle Ages.Not having read any of the books on which this series was based, I can't say how true this was to the original works but as a stand-alone TV series I found it rather enjoyable. There is a good creepy atmosphere throughout and the cast do a solid job. Anna Maxwell Martin is very good as Merrily; nicely depicting somebody who knows they are out of their depth and rabidly losing control of the things that matter most to her. David Threlfall is equally good as Huw. The story progresses at a decent pace and ultimately reaches a gripping conclusion that both wrapped up the story and left certain details open enough for further series if ITV want to make more. Overall an effective and atmospheric chiller that made a nice change from more conventional mysteries.

cmcastl Good supernatural drama these days on TV is as rare as Hen's teeth, as the saying goes. Well done to ITV for presenting new and original drama such as this which the BBC has long given up doing. I didn't previously know about the novels upon which this series was based. In any event, there is a real hunger, I am sure, for non-formulaic supernatural/crime drama and I do hope to see another series.All the performances were top-notch and the production values were good. For those who have belief in these things, the fate of the world is not determined by sociological forces but by what perhaps the Middle Ages more clearly saw as the eternal struggle between Good and evil.