BBC Points West; Weather

"Generic" is a one‑hour episode of the new BBC‑commissioned anthology series Everyday Edge. It stars rising star Maya Patel as a junior solicitor and veteran character actor Tom Harding as her jaded mentor. The premise is simple: a small law firm in Manchester gets tangled up in a seemingly harmless neighbourhood dispute that quickly spirals out of control. Think of it as a cross‑between the first half of The Office (the workplace vibe) and the moral tightrope of Broadchurch. The episode follows Maya as she uncovers a hidden clause in a lease that could ruin the lives of dozens of tenants. While she’s trying to keep the firm’s reputation intact, Tom’s old‑school tactics clash with her fresh‑faced idealism, leading to a series of awkward meetings, a few courtroom shenanigans and an unexpected twist involving a long‑lost will. The story never tells you exactly who to root for, which keeps the tension humming without giving away the ending. Honestly, it’s not a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it’s surprisingly good for a first‑run episode. The pacing does drag a bit in the middle – the legal jargon can feel ropy – yet the chemistry between Patel and Harding lifts the script. If you liked the slow‑burn intrigue of Happy Valley but want something lighter, this will hit the spot. Plus, the Manchester backdrop adds a proper gritty charm that’s often missing in London‑centric dramas. Rated 15, with moderate language and a few tense scenes that could unsettle younger viewers. First terrestrial broadcast this Thursday at 9 pm on BBC One. Grab a cuppa and give it a go – it’s a decent entry point into the series.