Nolly, Channel Four

Why did Russell T Davies, a man who could probably get anything commissioned, choose to tell the story of Noele Gordon – the star of Birmingham based soap, Crossroads?

Nolly is in part a tribute to the women herself; part an exploration of the hardships of middle aged women in showbusiness; and also largely a homage to the importance and novelty of British soap opera.

Russell T Davies has a history with soap, he storylined Coronation Street for a brief period in the 90s and clearly has a soft spot for the medium. Nolly champions the cultural importance of soap. In a quaint and charming scene in which Nolly takes the bus, she and the working class women who use public transport make the case for how important Crossroads and Coronation Street are in their lives. All the while in opposition to a vitriolic male passenger who prefers to watch the news and the football on TV.

Nolly (Helena Bonham Carter) being sacked in the first episode of this miniseries ignites and drives the plot. The press and the nation’s reaction to her losing her job reminds us how big soap moments of the past have been – cultural artefacts perhaps more resonant than those hanging in art galleries or libraries.

Russel T Davies is a master at creating cosy, heart warming moods in his shows and he does it again with Nolly. Her relationship with Tony Adams (Augustus Prew) and the love that the crew on Crossroads feel for her create a sense of comforting geniality that feels distinctly British. On Nolly’s last day on Crossroads, a female PA reminds the Producer that Nolly drove her to her wedding – a testament to the woman and the compassionate, socialist themes that Russell T Davies favours.

Nolly does not quite have the massive impact of It’s A Sin. It’s a smaller, quainter, shorter story that is enjoyable nonetheless.