Sherwood viewers left 'absolutely terrified' by Monica Dolan

Roxy Simons
Sherwood - Series 2,1,Ann Branson (MONICA DOLAN),House Productions,Sam Taylor
Monica Dolan as Ann Branson in Sherwood series 2, who terrified viewers with her performance. (BBC) (BBC/House Productions/Sam Taylor)

Sherwood is back on BBC and the show's second episode left viewers reeling over the traumatic events that took place in its last act, but what left viewers genuinely terrified was not the storyline but Monica Dolan's performance.

The actor portrays crime family matriarch Ann Branson, who goes on a revenge spree after her son is killed by troubled adult Ryan Bottomley (Oliver Huntington) in cold blood. Ann is ready to go scorched earth as a result, putting Ryan's loved ones in danger, and her ruthless and cold demeanour were so frightening to viewers they couldn't believe she'd starred in shows like Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.

Before we explore how and why, be warned that this article contains spoilers for the first two episodes of Sherwood series 2.

Sherwood (BBC)
After the events of episode 1, Pam (Sharlene Whyte), her brother Denis (David Harewood) and daughter Stephie (Bethany Asher) became targets for Ann for revenge over her son's death. (BBC) (BBC/House Productions/Sam Taylor)

Episode 2 of Sherwood's new season saw things take a dark turn when Dolan's Ann decides to exact revenge on Ryan's family for his actions. Pam (Sharlene Whyte), her brother Denis (David Harewood) and daughter Stephie (Bethany Asher) were taken into protective custody after the events of episode one, but Ann and husband Roy (Stephen Dillane) soon found them.

The duo tasked Sparrow crime family matriarch Daphne (Lorraine Ashbourne) and her estranged daughter Rachel (Christine Bottomley) with identifying them. Daphne tries to warn Pam of what is going to happen through a burner phone, but unfortunately she discovers it too late and she is killed alongside her brother Dennis.

That wasn't the end of the bloodbath in the episode, though, as Stephie killed one of the people to attack her mother and uncle. Begging the question, what will happen to her now?

Sherwood series 2 (BBC)
Viewers were terrified of Ann Branson on the show, which they credited to Monica Dolan's performance. (BBC) (BBC/House Productions/Sam Taylor)

Viewers were understandably shocked by the events of the episode, with many sharing their thoughts on Dolan's performance via social media.

One person said on X: "Kubrick level of direction, stunning, succinct, dialogue, genius casting, Monica Dolan! The whole thing. Absolutely terrifying. Incredible."

While another user wrote: "Monica Dolan vs Lorraine Ashbourne in the battle of the crime matriarchs is quite something. Terrific performances. Terrifying too". Similarly, one person said of the actor: "Holy s**t. Monica Dolan is genuinely terrifying".

Blown away by the actor's performance, a person wrote: "In #Sherwood #MonicaDolan is terrifying, she doesn't have to shout and scream. Her undercurrent of pure menace is a masterclass in brilliance. I have honestly NEVER seen @MonicaDolan be anything but perfect in everything she has been in. Love her."

Another said of the actor: "Understated and scary as hell. No histrionics, just genuine menace. @MonicaDolan is incredible." While one user wrote directly to Dolan on social media, saying: "your performance in Sherwood is brilliant! So chilling but mixed up with the maternal grief- amazing. When you said the neighbours would agree to the name change- I was scared!"

Sherwood (BBC)
Sherwood viewers lamented the loss of several characters in its first two episodes, including David Harewood's Dennis. (BBC) (BBC/House Productions/Sam Taylor)

Viewers were distraught by the end of the second episode, with several sharing their thoughts on the way in which the new storyline has taken the series down an even darker path to the first series — which focused on the investigation into a lone killer attacking people with a bow and arrow.

Commenting on the episode as a whole, one person wrote: "Was holding my breath for most of this episode - sooo good."

Another viewer wrote of the show's darker tone: "I know #Sherwood is meant to be grim, that's the whole lure which draws you in but even this might be too grim for me. The second series is horrifically dark."

One viewer took the opportunity to praise David Harewood for his short but impactful performance as Dennis in the series, writing: "David Harewood played a blinder tonight. Excellent work. I've never seen him quite like this character before. I'll miss him for the rest of the series."

Sherwood continues every Sunday and Monday at 9pm on BBC One, and episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer the same day.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/sherwood-monica-dolan-viewers-terrified-bbc-102957794.html

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