There are few things that will get UK TV viewers excited like a great psychological crime drama.
Combine that with their love of the ease of Netflix, and you have an absolute winner on the cards.
That’s what’s happened for a psychological crime drama which is not only beloved on Netflix, but has just had the first series released on Channel 4.
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The show is Suspect, and Netflix viewers haven’t been able to get enough – charting at number five in an incredibly strong week for the platform, and having previously peaked at number three. Check out the trailer here:
The first season focuses on James Nesbitt, who plays detective Danny Frater.
He is called to the morgue to aid in identifying the body, only to discover his estranged daughter on the table.
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After discovering she took her own life, Frater seeks to find out the truth about her death.
An adaptation of the Danish crime drama called Face to Face, the first season enthralled viewers, with a 67% on Rotten Tomatoes.
One review of the first season, now available on Channel 4, said: “The impressive cast of this cop show turned psychological family drama will reel you in.”
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Whilst Nesbitt doesn’t return for the show’s second season, which is yet to air on Netflix, the mantle is taken on by Marie Ann-Duff, who plays his characters ex-wife.
She plays a therapist who discovers that one of her patients has carried out multiple murders, herself then being dragged into a web of murder and mystery.
The second season, which aired this July on Channel 4, hasn’t received the same acclaim as the first season, but fans have continued to eat up the show.
One 10/10 review on IMDb said the show was a ‘fantastic mystery thriller’.
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It went on to say: “I loved how each episode had a single actor of suspicion involved giving this a novel approach to the mystery unfolding. I had no idea the true reason, suicide or murder till the very end.”
Not every fan is fully convinced, with even some positive reviews pointing to flaws in the show.
One IMDb review said: “This is a really confident production with some great names - but it is dubious how easily the characters spill the information to the grieving father... also some unfortunate stereotypes which lacks a little bit of imagination. Still, I enjoyed it whilst doing the ironing.”
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That said, many reviews call it a ‘thrilling’ watch, with one reading: “I'm left almost breathless after watching this, it's such an interesting format that I haven't seen on TV before.
“On paper it could've been a drag but the performances and the way it's filmed make it the most claustrophobically thrilling experience of a TV show.
"If you're unsure after the first few episodes do stick with it because once you get used to the format it's brilliant.”
Topics: Netflix, Channel 4, TV and Film, TV
Michael Slavin