One of a growing number of female-centred dramas, the first series of Cutting It was a sleeper hit for the BBC. Though its rival hairdresser premise seems fluffy, its classy gloss, off-beat scripting and strong cast make it as addictive as many of the outstanding TV series coming from the US. The drama unfolds when ambitious hairdresser Allie Henshall (Sarah Parish) wants to open a second salon. But her husband and business partner would prefer to start a family. Even when she puts in a bid for a property opposite her salon, Allie is beaten by rival hairdresser Mia Bevan (Amanda Holden). As a business war begins between Allie's Henshall Ferraday salon and Mia's Blade Runner, Allie has to overcome the reappearance of an old flame, Mia's husband, who is happy to rekindle his relationship with her.

As the relationship histories among the characters become absurdly intertwined, it is to the cast's credit that the human dynamics of the story surpass its plot. Though there are certainly moments of parody (take Mia's yogic warm-ups with her staff each morning) and questionable twists, Cutting It gives its leading ladies some sharp and funny lines to work with and the space to do so. Both Parish and Holden run the gamut of emotions despite the seemingly clear-cut good woman / bitch divide between their characters initially. Their actions may strain the limits of credibility, but these women hold attention effortlessly. --Laura Bushell

Being one who never saw this show, I got interested by the tags in the amazon pages or "other people liked..." and so on, and I was hoping/expecting a funny sitcom set in a hairdresser's salon.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
During the first episode I was really lost, I had no idea who the characters were, their links, if they were related, why the mother was incredibly mean to everybody etc.
Yet after every episode I was mesmerized, I couldn't believe the reality of this show, the emotions it triggered, the sadness left behind, what the characters went through.
It was a nice punch in the stomach reality drama, that's what it was!
I could have never guessed any of the storylines!
I seriously encourage you to buy this, you won't regret it!!

This has to be one of the bext series ever made! Parish and Holden are perfectly cast as the hairdressers at war and love. The series is capable of bringing a tear to the eye of the most hardened but also likely to make you chortle with laughter. Living in Manchester, it gave me a thrill to see all the parts of Manchester used in the series and I actually saw parts being filmed! This is well worth buying!! The series, at times, does descend into a parody of itself, but it is so well filmed and written, you don't mind in the least! Buy it!!!

As i saw the advertisments for Cutting i desided that i'd watch it, but i didnt have very high expectations but i found this series extremely addictive and quite riverting. The actors are all top notch, and although the story twists and turns it still stays realistic and sensible, although at the beginning each charector is deliberatly desinguished as either good guys and bad guys, but in the end its not that simple you end up feeling sorry for a bad charecter in the end as her relationship slowly didintigrates before her eyes. Personally i think that this series is assentialy about revenge, not compertition, not love but pure revenge and despiration. one things sure that none of the charecters lives will ever be the same again.

this boxset is really brilliant

Well i think my title has summed up 'Cutting It'!
A fantastic series which has you on the edge of your seat most of the time. Whether your willing Allie to pick Gavin over Finn (or vice-versa!) or crying out for the Henshall sisters to see Mia for who she really is!
It captivates the world of love triangles, affairs and most of all Hairdressing!
Overall a fantastic series and worth owning to watch over and over again - especially the outtakes!

buy this dvd if only for the out takes.... and Sarah Parishs' wicked laugh in the cast interviews