Channel 4 has cancelled a critically acclaimed drama series after just one season, despite its impressive awards haul. The Gathering, which premiered earlier this year and starred Warren Brown of Luther fame, revolved around a teenager’s brutal assault at an illicit beach party and its ripple effects on a Merseyside community as they sought truth by exposing secrets and lies.
Brown, also known for his roles in Ten Pounds Poms and Trigger Point, portrayed Paul, a character facing imprisonment following a violent altercation in a park. His performance earned him the Best Actor award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival in June. Eva Morgan, who played Paul’s gymnast daughter, won Best Actress while the show itself picked up Best Series.
The show also featured Vinette Robinson from Sherlock as Natalie, a woman dubbed the ‘mother from hell’, and her daughter Jessica, played by Sadie Soverall, a talented young gymnast.
The Gathering received positive reviews from critics, with The Telegraph describing it as a “pulsating drama (which) will give parents of teenagers the fear” and The London Evening Standard calling it a “Skins with smartphones story (which) packs a punch”.
Executive producer Simon Heath told The Sun: “The series performed very well for Channel 4 but there are new people in charge and new priorities, meaning The Gathering won’t be coming back,” reports the Mirror.
However, the documentary didn’t sit well with all viewers, as some were left feeling queasy due to the disturbing scenes of abuse. They took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their opinions, with many focusing on the toxic dynamic between the overbearing mother and her daughter, whom she berated for not making it onto a gymnastics team.
One user wrote: “Vile woman. I think that it’s definitely abuse. Pushy parents are a nightmare – somehow mothers are always worse than fathers though. Dance Moms is crazy – it’s literally nothing to do with the kids – it’s the obsessed mothers! #TheGathering #DanceMoms”.
Another viewer commented: “Just watched Ruby Franke What a vile mother, Very harrowing,hope the kids recover from it, will be a long process,May be able to re-unite with Dad.”
And: “That mum sent that Video she’s absolutely vile! #TheGathering”.
A fourth user stated: “Ok I won’t get the last 45 minutes back but I don’t need to waste any more of my life. I’m out. #TheGathering.”
And a fifth user chimed in: “It’s pretty dire so far. I doubt that I’ll bother watching the next episode #TheGathering.”