Marriage viewers all have the same complaint about the Sean Bean drama

BBC drama fans have been waiting patiently for the premier of the new Sean Bean drama Marriage for weeks.

However, viewers admitted they were grossly disappointed after turning in to the debut episode on Sunday night - slamming the husband-and-wife based series as "dreadful" due to a major blip.

Marriage, which stars Sean, 63, and Nicola Walker as husband and wife Ian and Emma, premiered its first episode over the weekend.

The drama opened with the couple preparing to fly back from a holiday - as they tried to escape the strains of their marriage.

The long-term pair, who look to be on differing life paths, were seen embroiled in a furious row over a plate of chips before heading home.

The hour-long episode proceeded to detail their turbulent relationship and monotonous marriage, before cutting to a cliff hanger on the action before next week's instalment.

However, fans were less than impressed with the opening episode of the drama - and it wasn't because of the way the show was written.

A major blip appeared to have occurred for many viewers at home, as they struggled to hear what was being said between the actors.

Taking to social media, dozens complained that the entire show was "inaudible" - and were having trouble following the action.

“Straight away I’m having to put subtitles on, why do so many dramas have poor sound or mumbling actors? Maybe it’s just me," one wrote.

“Watching Marriage on BBC One and although we’ve turned our TV right up, we still can’t hear a bloody word they’re saying other channels are fine," a second added.

A third wrote: "Can Sean Bean speak up a bit. TV volume is at 65 and I can't hear a thing."

While a fourth said: "Dialogue: inaudible. Music: deafening. Subtitles: necessary. Sound quality dreadful."

The first episode saw Emma - who has a thriving career - and her husband Ian stay on the same page in their marriage.

The second episode has teased that their marriage will continue to face test after test as they battle to keep the peace between them.

"Emma is excited to find she has the opportunity to go to a work conference, where she might get contacts for her business idea," the synopsis for episode two explains.

“She's nervous of telling Ian, whose job search is going badly, but he ends up hearing it from her boss instead. 

“Emma's father (James Bolam) interrupts their anniversary plans, and Jessica starts looking for a way out of her relationship with Adam after an argument.”

Marriage contuse Monday, August 15 on BBC One at 9pm.