The wonderful Jill Halfpenny leads the cast as detective and mother, Kate, who is determined that this trip to Malta will be the best holiday yet.
Travelling with her distracted husband, Sean (Owen McDonnell), iPad-obsessed son, Daniel (Aidan McCann) and daughter, Lucy (Lara McDonnell), whom we learn is carrying an enormous weight on her shoulders, hardly makes for Kate's ideal travel companions.
Perhaps in light of her work as a detective, Kate is suspicious of everyone. Her husband. Her daughter. Her friends. And rightly so, in fact. Most of the people in her life seem to be keeping something from her; even if it's a different dark secret than she initially suspects.
Jake (Shaun O'Callaghan) appears a very dark and troubled teenager, one whose presence on this trip would be enough to send me home. From buying one of the younger children a knife as a present to his inappropriate behaviour around Lucy, Jake's character made me feel just a little too uncomfortable.
Jenny (Liv Mjönes) is another brilliantly portrayed addition to the holiday from hell, gaslighting Kate in the beginning only to lose her own sanity in the end.
Lara McDonnell is brilliant as Lucy, shining in the role of an otherwise quiet teenager stuck in a bad situation. Frequently ignored by the adults, whose help she needs most, Lucy struggles to participate in the holiday fun against the backdrop of her own violation and her role in the death of a classmate.
A mention has to go to such a great visual in the show's final episode. In contrast to her very clear principles and suitability for her work, Kate becomes aware of a crime committed which hits too close to home. She is devastated, and furious and has no idea how to handle this information.
We see Kate lock herself in her bathroom and destroy her phone and her mirror in a blind rage. Decisively, however, we see Kate tear off her police badge - leaving the decision to return to her job uncertain, but ultimately, not looking good.
All in all, I think The Holiday was a brilliant show (one which should certainly get a second season in my books). From the fantastic performances by all of the cast to the way, the crew managed to bring T.M Logan's work to life - The Holiday is a show I would recommend to everyone.