Katherine Kelly takes on a new role as Jo, a flight attendant whose comfortable life spirals into chaos in Channel 4's six-part thriller "In Flight". Her son Sonny lands in a Bulgarian prison for a crime he insists he didn't commit, setting off a desperate chain of events.
Three months pass with Jo struggling through legal channels to secure his release. Her efforts stall until she encounters crime boss Cormac (Stuart Martin) at a local bar, mistaking him for a journalist who might help her case.
Blackmail and impossible choices
Cormac presents Jo with a brutal ultimatum. He has influence inside the prison and can ensure Sonny's safety, but only if Jo agrees to smuggle drugs in her luggage on international flights using her trusted position as senior cabin crew.
"You're a senior member of cabin crew," Cormac tells her. "It's one of your usual routes, so you won't be suspected and you won't be stopped." Jo finds herself trapped with no family support, a bribed Bulgarian lawyer, and criminals who seem to anticipate her every move.
The series doesn't shy away from showing Jo's desperation. She researches Turkey's 24-year drug smuggling sentences online before preparing for her first smuggling run, highlighting the impossible situation she faces.
Kelly's magnetic performance
The drug smuggling scenes generate genuine tension, with Kelly delivering a compelling performance that keeps the series watchable despite narrative inconsistencies. Her expressive face switches from woebegone to terrified in moments, selling Jo's fear through physical reactions like vomiting in airport toilets and staring glassy-eyed into the distance.
An intriguing subplot involves customs officer Dom (Ashley Thomas), who shares romantic history with Jo. Their past relationship adds another layer of tension as Jo's criminal activities escalate, with Dom still harbouring a soft spot for her.
Mixed critical verdict
The plot strains credibility at times, with convenient coincidences and criminal masterminds who seemingly predict every move. Yet Kelly's magnetic lead performance keeps the series on track as engaging Tuesday night television.
The show doesn't demand deep analysis but provides sufficient thrills for viewers seeking straightforward entertainment. While the narrative has its flaws, it rattles along pleasingly enough to fit the bill.
Sources used: "Evening Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
