First in a three-part drama written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff.
When only child, Daniel, attends an extraordinary family reunion with his parents at a luxurious London hotel, he discovers an exciting new world of possibilities.
BBC Video: Perfect Strangers, price £14.99. available from 14 May

Stephen Poliakoff's family reunion: page 38

Matthew Macfadyen stars as a young surveyor caught up in family affairs in Stephen Poliakoff's latest drama Perfect Strangers.
9.00pm BBC2
Anything by Stephen Poliakoff, the playwright who gave us modern television milestones such as Caught on a Train and Shooting the Past, is keenly anticipated by anyone who likes to immerse themselves in dramas of sinuous beauty. So rub your hands with glee at the arrival of this elegant three-part story centred on the peculiar and mysterious Symon family, who gather at a London hotel for a huge and startlingly well organised reunion.Though everyone is part of the same family, most are indeed "perfect strangers" to one another, linked by blood but in many cases very little else.
At the epicentre of the onslaught are the "Hillingdon contingent" - young Daniel (Warriors' Matthew Macfadyen) and his parents Raymond and Esther (Michael Gambon and Jill Baker). Raymond is a cantankerous anti-reunion agitator who is rude to just about everyone, while Daniel, a surveyor, finds himself and his skills in great demand, notably from the garrulous Irving (Timothy Spall).
The performances are wonderful, and watch especially closely for Anton Lesser, the possessor of one of the most beautiful voices in acting. Perfect Strangers does not announce its presence loudly, but if you enjoy masterly understatement, you'll find this a compelling joy. It continues next Thursday. Stephen Poliakoff on family life: page 38.