The Teacher viewers were once again left frustrated with Channel 5 as they took to their social media accounts within seconds of the first episode of the new series airing – claiming it was too “far-fetched”.
The first series, which aired back in 2022, saw Sheridan Smith’s character Jenna embroiled in a scandal and was accused of having sexual relations with a 15-year-old student after a drunken night out.
Smith’s role in the series pulled in a huge viewership for Channel 5, racking up millions of viewers and prompting the release of a second series which aired last night.
The latest stint of the series sees the affair between two school teachers, Dani Oxley (played by Kara Tointon) and her friend and colleague Jimmy Spencer (portrayed by Will Mellor).
While supervising a school trip to an outdoor adventure centre, Dani seizes the opportunity to have a spontaneous romantic encounter with Jimmy. However, as their students are left unattended, a troubled teenager goes missing, leading to questions about Dani’s behaviour.
The synopsis reveals: “The Teacher II follows the story of Dani, a teacher who loves her job. She’s a real mentor and inspiration to her students, but what she lacks is a properly functioning marriage with real intimacy and mutual desire.
“This leads her into an impulsive affair with a fellow colleague that at first answers all her needs, but soon spirals out of control. When a pupil goes missing on a school trip, Dani rightly blames herself for being too easily distracted.
“When things start to take a sinister turn, she is forced to lie, and quickly finds her life falling to pieces. She risks everything to right the wrongs that she has, in part, been responsible for.”
As excited viewers tuned into the series’ first episode, many were left disappointed with the storyline and quickly slammed the episode on their X accounts.
“Far-fetched would be an understatement. #TheTeacher,” one simply penned before a second said: “I’m 99 per cent certain that really wouldn’t happen on a school trip! Especially in broad daylight #TheTeacher.”
Someone else added: “Why would u think of doing that.. literally on a school trip and you leave the group unattended #theteacher.” (sic)
“#TheTeacher Usual unbelievable storyline,” another quipped before a fifth noted: “Another rubbish c5 drama methinks #TheTeacher.”
However, not all viewers were left unimpressed and one positive viewer praised: “Will Mellor and Kara Tointon! Very happy to see them in this #TheTeacher.” (sic)
Mellor recently opened up about his new role and having to work with an intimacy coordinated due to filming a sex scene with Tointon, and told Radio Times: “That was a new thing for me.
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“I think it’s very important for younger actors and actresses who maybe aren’t aware of what you can and can’t ask for on set to have a middle person who can open up the conversation and lay the boundaries so that everyone is comfortable.”
He continued: “With me and Kara for the boat shed scene, we had a chat. I said, ‘I’m ok with everything. I’ve been there, done that.’ I had my first gay role on The Street where I was completely naked with Vincent Regan. All those years ago.
“That was quite scary, but it was an amazing moment. That was a breakthrough for me. The intimacy coordinator was lovely on this, and I understand why they are there. I think it’s a case of reading the situation.”
