The Listeners viewers 'distracted' by 'unsettling' music in new drama series

New BBC drama The Listeners has left some viewers feeling "distracted" and "unsettled" during the opening series.

Based on the novel by Jordan Tannahill, the series focuses on English teacher named Claire, portrayed by Rebecca Hall, and her pupil Kyle, played by Ollie West. They both can suddenly hear a humming noise that no one else seems to hear.

As Claire becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the enigmatic hum, she finds herself drifting from her loved ones and joining a group who claim to hear the same peculiar sound.

The BBC describes The Listeners as a series that delves into "explores the seduction of the wild and unknowable, the human search for the transcendent, the rise of conspiracy culture in the West, and the desire for community and connection in our increasingly polarised times."

The show premiered on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday (November 19), drawing viewers eager to experience Rebecca Hall's latest venture. However, the Express reports how the soundtrack of the series left many feeling uneasy.

One viewer said: "The Listener's background noise is doing my nut in, might be turning this over".

Another shared: "She's hearing the annoying ambient sound effects on EastEnders whenever they have an outdoor scene in Albert Square. Once you notice it, you can't unhear it".

A different viewer remarked: "This background music is very unsettling", while someone else questioned: "Am I the only one watching The Listeners on BBC One and how seeing how unsettling the soundtrack is?".

One viewer commented: "Watching The Listeners in the same week I've started getting up in the night to try and find the high pitched hum is... a bit weird".

Rebecca Hall, known for her roles in Christine, The Town, and Vicky Christina Barcelona, takes the lead in The Listeners, playing teacher Claire. Up-and-coming talent Ollie West, recognised from his performance in The Sparrow, portrays school student Kyle.

The broader cast features Prasanna Puwanarajah (renowned from The Crown, Ten Percent, Patrick Melrose), Amr Waked (Ramy), Gayle Rankin (Men, Perry Mason, The Greatest Showman), newcomer Mia Tharia (Phoenix Rise) and Franc Ashman (from The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself, Inside Man).

Other notable names in the series are Samuel Edward Cook (familiar from Peaky Blinders, The Gallows Pole), Karen Henthorn (from Coronation Street, The Rising), Lucy Sheen (known for Ping Pong) and Ian Mercer (renowned for Doctors, All Creatures Great And Small).

The Listeners consist of four episodes, each with a runtime of less than 60 minutes. The first episode aired at 9pm on Tuesday, November 19, with subsequent episodes scheduled for weekly release at the same timeslot.

For those who prefer binge-watching, the complete series will be accessible as a boxset on BBC iPlayer starting Tuesday, November 19.