"Perfect" '60s-set British drama with Daniel Mays is now streaming on the BBC

A British drama hailed as "terrific" and "perfect" is streaming now for free on BBC iPlayer. Directed by Nigel Cole, Made in Dagenham is a dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant in which female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination.

The film stars Sally Hawkins as Rita O'Grady, the woman who raised the protest that aimed for equal pay for female workers.

The cast also includes Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Geraldine James, Rosamund Pike, Andrea Riseborough, Jaime Winstone, Daniel Mays and Richard Schiff.

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Following its release in 2010, Made in Dagenham received wide praise from critics and fans alike, currently holding an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The critics' consensus reads: "Organized around a terrific performance by Sally Hawkins, Made in Dagenham is a stirring call for pay equity replete with heart and wit."

In their review, The Spectator said: "Although Made in Dagenham is far from perfect and has a particular fondness for those impromptu speeches which turn out to be stirringly spot-on, it is so warm-hearted and affectionate it wouldn't be right to take against it."

The Houston Chronicle wrote: "A spirited look -- well written, beautifully acted, full of uplift -- at lovably cheeky heroines on the march for a little respect."

Many heaped praise on Hawkins' acting, with Rolling Stone writing: "Sally Hawkins is just plain irresistible in this funny, touching and vital salute to women in the workforce."

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Associated Press echoed a similar sentiment, saying: "The performances from Hawkins and co-stars Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson and especially Rosamund Pike are what elevate the material above its predictability and clichés."

Time Out thought it was a "quite bold, a master class in peppy distraction", adding: "This should be required viewing for all political filmmakers."

Made in Dagenham is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn