Having read all the reviews of this drama, I would agree that in parts, it doesn't quite deliver. However, in the interest of balance I have to say it's not THAT bad!

The plot is standard fare - five siblings are re-united after 20 years estrangement at their father's funeral.

As the will is read, their dysfunction becomes apparent - Fragile minds, fractured marriages, and the threat that the sinister secret shared by two of the sisters, will be finally uncovered.

Writer Debbie Horsefield ('Cutting It') does sometimes veer perilously close to caricature, but she does at least have a canny ear for capturing the natural rhythms of Northern speech.

Although this is largely a female-centric piece, most of the acting plaudits surely belong to the men.

No-one exudes grimy menace quite like David Bradley, and both Paul McGann and Brendan Coyle (as Nash and Kaz, respectively) deliver winningly understated performances.

But for me, it was Paul Hilton's turn as the comically phobic, mascara-loving Dennis who was the real delight.

Like a sexually bewildered Harold Steptoe, Hilton presents a man both revelling in and recoiling from, all the years left alone in his Father's company. As Dennis, he nabs all the best clothes, most of the best lines and injects them with a sort of wounded glee.

All in all, 'True Dare Kiss' is a bit of a quirky concoction. If the Waltons had been created by Edgar Allan Poe and Tim Burton decided to lock them up in a decaying Mancunian Townhouse and film them, it may well have ended up something like this.

Granted, it's not Pinter or Kafka (although, I do think they may have appreciated one or two of the characters...) but in a TV landscape dominated by Reality shows and U.S imports, there is something unapologetically British about 'True Dare Kiss', and I applaud it for that.

I like anything by Debbie Horsfield but I think this is the worst thing she has penned.
Lorraine Ashbourne(Playing the Field)annoyed the life out of me as football hooligan Beth.Practically evey scene she was shouting or swigging lager from a can,okay that was the part she played, but she did my head in.
Then control freek Nita(Pookie something-or other) was far fetched as was the gay brother.
The other cast members were "beige" i.e they sort of faded into the background.
Not one of my best dvd purchases it has to be said.

One of the best dramas I have watched in a long time. From the first episode I was hooked.Great acting by all the cast, a must see!!

I thought I'd try this one out and thru the first four episodes they had me completely. The drama was tense, you cared about the characters, you understood their flaws and then...a crap ending. They took the easy out with this one. The highlights were still better than the lowlights though. If you can rent instead of just buy in the UK, go for the rental. Dervla is pretty hot, however.

The setting of a decaying gothic victorian house was a great matephorical backdrop to visualise the lies and secrets at the heart of a disfunctional mancunian set of siblings, reunited after the death of their cruel twisted father. The trouble was the only real grit was on the kitchen floor. The series was gripping and compulsive. The acting excellent, and the production values lavish. BUT THE SCRIPT WAS RIDICULOUS!!! I can only assume that because it was shown over July and August it wasn't supposed to be viewed as anything more that a light hearted untaxing filler, in an undemanding summer shedule.I kind of wish I hadnt watched it because due to the silly ending it was totally forgettable.