BBC viewers have blasted new drama This City is Ours, declaring they're ‘fed up' with the cast ‘mumbling'.
The eight-part crime drama series stars Sean Bean in a leading role as Ronnie Phelan.
Some BBC fans have pointed out difficulty hearing the show's dialogue – highlighting “overpowering music” and “mumbling”.
One wrote on X: “Is promising but they need to knock the soundtrack down a bit, can’t hear what’s being said sometimes!”
Another added: “The background sound/track is drowning out the speech.#thiscityisours.”
A third penned: “Can't be a***d with it. As usual mumble, mumble, mumble. Loud music overpowering.”
A fourth remarked: “Same here, must admit it's making me lose patience with it.”
A fifth said: “Fed up already with turning the sound on the tv up and down”
A sixth agreed: “What does a sound engineer do? Not very much, if this is an example of their work.”
Yet another commented: “was looking forward to this but can’t stand the pointless pulsing DONG at tense scenes ( as if we need to be told) too loud can’t hear the dialogue, time to mute.”
Elsewhere, the crime drama featured a steamy phone sex scene within minutes of its first episode.
The show follows the love affair of Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and Diana (Hannah Onslow) – set against the disintegration of Michael’scrimegang.
Discussing her role as Diana, Hannah said: “Her and Michael’s relationship is very strong, they really do love each other so much.
“They are both at a big turning point in their life and want to start a family together.
“I don’t think Diana knew she could ever feel this way about someone, and I think the same goes for Michael.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here's a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades .
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison .
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood - tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington . Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets - and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies , this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin .
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister . Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio , this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston , Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar , aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther . Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman , Amanda Redman , Alun Armstrong and James Bolam . Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes , teaming up with Martin Freeman ‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall , Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh , Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve , Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh , Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate while Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
“Their relationship is really special, beautifully written and it has been a complete joy to do it with James.”
Further cast members include Derry Girls ‘ Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Gavin and Stacey ‘s Laura Aikman and Waterloo Road ‘s Jack McMullen.
This City is Ours airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
