"Wonderful" drama with "brilliant" Brenda Blethyn is one to watch tonight

A poignant drama starring Brenda Blethyn as a broken-hearted woman juggling caretaking duties has become available to stream. Written and directed by Stevie Davies and Alan Plater, TV movie Belonging was originally released in 2004.

The film is an adaptation of Stevie Davies's novel The Web of Belonging, following Blethyn's character Jess Copplestone, a woman left to take care for her estranged husband's elderly relatives after he leaves her for a younger lover.

Belonging initially aired on ITV1, earning positive reviews and praise for Blethyn's performance as Jess.

Who stars in Belonging?

• Brenda Blethyn as Jess Copplestone
• Kevin Whately as Jacob Copplestone
• Rosemary Harris as May
• Anna Massey as Brenda
• Peter Sallis as Nathan
• Jill Baker as Cathy
• Fiona O'Shaughnessy as Stephanie
• Matthew Marsh as Peter Fox

What did critics and viewers say about Belonging?

The Guardian called Belonging "wonderful" in their 2004 review, also praising Blethyn's turn as Jess as "brilliant".

"She becomes one of those people who thinks only about others, infuriating in her generosity, there to be walked over, to smile and put the kettle on even though she's burning up inside," the review reads. "I wanted to reach into the screen to shake her: do something for yourself woman, survive a little."

On IMDb, one viewer said they enjoyed "another excellent performance from Brenda Blethyn" who, together with Rosemary Harris as Jess's mother-in-law May, delivered "top-quality" acting.

A second fan noted that Blethyn is "terrific" as "sympathetic, charitable, caregiving, loving" Jess.

"Rosemary Harris is stellar in her role as the cantankerous matriarch," they also argued. "Not a happy ending, not a sad ending, just a real one."

Where can I watch Belonging?

Brenda Blethyn fans can catch Belonging on Prime Video UK.

Brenda Blethyn's TV series you can stream right now

Among Blethyn's most recent TV credits is series A Woman of Substance, which you can stream on Channel 4's own platform.

Based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Barbara Taylor Bradford, the series follows Yorkshire maid Emma Harte from her humble beginnings to her business mogul career.

Blethyn's 14-season run as stern DCI Vera Stanhope on crime drama Vera can be watched in full on ITVX. Also on ITVX is the first season of short-lived comedy Kate & Koji, in which Blethyn plays a prickly café owner who strikes a friendship with an asylum-seeking doctor.

Belonging is streaming on Prime Video.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).