Radio Times: Review by:; David Butcher

From the early moments of Jimmy McGovern’s new series of plays-for-today, we know it’s different from most dramas. We haven’t seen Sean Bean in a blonde wig and full drag before, for a start (not wholly gorgeous, it must be said, but that’s part of the point). Then his character, Simon/Tracie, gets into a row with some drunk lads in a bar and one of them (Stephen Graham) offers to share a cab home.

From there an awkward affair begins. The story draws us in brilliantly then unsettles us with deft turns, but because we opened in a courtroom cell, we know this will end badly. We know tragedy, as always with Accused, is hanging in the air waiting to swamp the characters. And thanks to soulful performances (Bean and Graham are superb) and writing that takes us from 0 to 60 in a few scenes, we care.

About this programme

1/4. New series. Individual dramas, written or co-written by Jimmy McGovern, each focusing on an ordinary person who ends up in the dock. Sean Bean stars as Simon Gaskell, a college professor harbouring a dark secret - he is a transvestite, who at night dresses up to the nines in a blonde wig, skirt and stilettos and trawls the gay bars of Manchester as Tracie Tremarco. But he wants more than just fun - he is looking for a lasting relationship - and when satellite engineer Tony offers him a lift home, the pair are instantly smitten and a love affair begins. However, Tony has a secret too, leading to a terrible chain of events that ends in the courtroom. Stephen Graham, Michael Maloney and Rachel Leskovac co-star.