My assessment here concerns only the first season. Over the last decade, I’ve watched considerably more British TV than American shows. I picked up this series some time ago because I've enjoyed Timothy Spall’s performances, particularly in Mike Leigh films, but I just recently got around to viewing it. The storyline is fairly intricate; at least, that’s my impression, since each installment tends to revisit earlier moments from a different character’s viewpoint so as to provide background information and move the story forward. For the most part, this approach succeeds. I've encountered other programs written or directed by Kay Mellor, and her writing is typically astute, which holds true here as well. Those unfamiliar with northern British accents might find them challenging, but I’m accustomed to that dialect. The rapport among the characters isn’t quite as powerful as it could be, although there's enough of a connection to suggest their professional interactions and social bonds are generally believable. There were instances where I felt confident about what was coming next, yet, in contrast to many other shows, my predictions frequently proved inaccurate. Therefore, I attribute the writing with a degree of originality. It’s not quite up there with iconic British television, but it was diverting enough that I'd like to see the subsequent seasons at some point.

Source on TMDB