The trailer for BBC One’s miniseries adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy begins on an idyllic note, presenting a quaint, seemingly picture-perfect British village filled with lovely inhabitants. The sun shines brilliantly, children ride their bikes merrily, churchgoers sing hymns with heartfelt conviction, and it all seems too good to be true, which is of course the case.
“Everyone’s got skeletons rattling in their cupboard,” warns one character, setting the tone for the remainder of the trailer, which gets very dark very quickly. Scenes of tears, fights, underage drinking, and domestic abuse follow.
The Casual Vacancy, written by Sarah Phelps (EastEnders), will premiere February 15 on BBC One.
