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There have been plenty of gripping TV dramas over the years, but only a few leave viewers saying they could not stop watching. And there is one six-part series that fans say is both thrilling and deeply moving, with some even calling it "one of the best series ever made".

The show has also won over critics and currently holds a 90% average Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in New Zealand, the drama deals with a family crisis that begins after one uncomfortable moment at a party. The story unfolds partly through flashbacks and follows the fallout after a woman publicly accuses her husband of inappropriate behaviour.

That series is After the Party, a six-part New Zealand drama that first aired on TVNZ in October 2023 and later arrived on Channel 4 in the UK in November 2024.

The show was co-created by Robyn Malcolm and Dianne Taylor, directed by Peter Salmon, and stars Robyn Malcolm alongside Peter Mullan.

Robyn Malcolm plays Penny Wilding, while Peter Mullan plays Phil MacKenzie, her husband, who returns to town after spending five years overseas.

The story begins when Phil comes back to see his daughter Grace and grandson Walt, but the family is still living with the consequences of what happened years earlier.

The cast also includes Tara Canton, Ian Blackburn, Elz Carrad, Dean O'Gorman, Catherine Wilkin, Tanea Heke and Peter Hambleton.

The series was filmed on location in Wellington, New Zealand, and Malcolm has said there will not be a second series.

The drama has received strong praise from both critics and viewers.

One person said in a review on IMDb: "An amazing series. Possibly the best I have watched in years. Brilliantly acted and is absolutely gripping throughout. The lead actress is outstanding (she seemed like a New Zealand version of Frances McDormand)."

Another added: "Phenomenal. Wow what a mini series. They could have easily made this into a typical 12 episode series, but making it a short series of six hits the pace of the story perfectly. I highly recommend. It's a very rare 10 from me."

A third wrote: "This is another amazing New Zealand production, like so many of theirs. Robyn Malcolm is sensational. The entire cast fits their roles perfectly. The scenery is stunning. I binge-watched the entire series in one afternoon and evening."

Someone else commented: "Masterpiece. Absolutely fantastic. The lead actress is truly excellent, and the same goes for everyone else in the series-I can't find a single weak performance. The entire storyline is perfectly crafted; it's both thrilling and deeply moving, and you simply can't stop watching. It's one of the best series ever made."

Critics were also impressed by the show. The Guardian's Luke Buckmaster praised Malcolm's performance as "one of the greatest performances in any TV show in years".

Robyn Malcolm later won the best actress award at Series Mania in France for her role in the series.

After the Party is available to stream on Channel 4.