The five-part series – which is based on idea by Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer, and is set to continue consecutively over the next four days – stars Noel Clarke in the lead role as Detective Martin Young who is observing the home of a missing primary school teacher as part of an investigation into a tight-knit Manchester community.
Alexandra Roach (Black Mirror) plays single mum Zoe Sterling, with Fehinti Balogun (I May Destroy You), Catherine Tyldesley (Coronation Street) and Bronagh Waugh (The Fall) also co-starring.
Viewpoint began filming in Manchester city centre in August last year, with St John Street, the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Manchester Town Hall, Lloyd Street and Central Street all highlighted as areas to keep an eye out for as the series unfolds.
It became the first ITV drama to start shooting since the industry went into lockdown.
As the series kicked off last night, viewers took to social media to react to the tense storyline as it began to unfold. Many appeared to be gripped by the events, although others did point out a few critiques, particularly relating to the show’s pacing, its “far fetched” nature, and the fact it wasn’t quite at the standard of the BBC’s smash-hit police drama Line Of Duty, which is set to conclude next weekend.
Viewpoint will continue every weeknight at 9pm on ITV this week
Executive Producer Lucy Bedford called the series “a compelling, tense, claustrophobic thriller that turns the spotlight on the observer rather than the observed”.
Head of ITV Drama, Polly Hill, said the crime series felt “new and fresh”, whilst also having “a touch of Rear Window“.
People are so quick to judge these days… what's wrong with a story unfolding slowly? Everyone wants over the top (bullshit) drama and twist endings all the time. At least give it a chance before vilifying it! #Viewpointpic.twitter.com/6oCjJKJWBs
Viewpoint’s director Ashley Way said he particularly wanted to show parts of Manchester in the drama that people may not have seen on screen before, adding: “Manchester is a beautiful place.
“It’s a modern city that is very much rooted in its industrial past, which for a filmmaker is a dream [and] there are many rich architectural textures, showing its traditional past alongside its modern future.
“You often see a lot of Castlefield and the Northern Quarter but we wanted to show people the concrete and glass, and the beautiful Georgian streets that it’s not necessarily known for – we wanted to energise the story with all these architectural styles.
“Thankfully Manchester has all that in abundance”.
Featured Image – ITV
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Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.
Featured Image – ELR
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Emily Sergeant -
27th April 2021 
