BRITISH CRIME SHOWS ON TV

 

By Margaret S. Hamilton

 

It’s been a whirlwind holiday season so I’ll take a break from book reviews to discuss recent British crime TV shows I’ve enjoyed.

“Dalgliesh” series 3, Acorn. Set in 1979, Bertie Carvel plays Scotland Yard detective Adam Dalgliesh in six episodes based on three P.D. James books: Death in Holy Orders, Cover Her Face, and Devices and Desires. Of the three actors who have played Dalgliesh—Roy Marsden and Martin Shaw were in previous productions--Carvel does the best job portraying a detective with a passion for justice while displaying sensitivity and empathy for the friends and family of the deceased. Dalgliesh always gets his man—or woman.

Devices and Desires is one of my favorite books. James creates a remote Norfolk coastal setting which assumes the role of a major character. She ably populates the headland near a nuclear power station with a small group of inhabitants. The current TV version slashes the subplots, including the portrayal of a local family, and Dalgliesh’s grief over his aunt’s recent demise.

“Black Doves,” season one, Netflix. Starring Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, and Sarah Lancashire, this six-episode thriller is set during the Christmas season in London. Despite some gratuitous violence and sex scenes, and a ridiculous plot not based on a book, the lead actors manage to carry on in good form. Sarah Lancashire plays a formidable information broker, selling to the highest bidder, with Knightley and Whishaw as her agents.

“Shetland,” season nine, Britbox. DI “Tosh” McIntosh (Alison O’Donnell) teams up with DI Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) to investigate the disappearance of a local woman and her son. Plenty of suspects, red herrings, and a whiff of terrorism to keep things interesting. “Shetland” isn’t the same without Jimmy Perez, but Tosh and Ruth, who are of equal rank, manage to work together to produce results.

“Vera,” season fourteen, Britbox, January 2^nd and 9^th. Brenda Blethyn returns for her last two Vera episodes. Wearing her trademark green raincoat and hat, and driving her growling vintage Land Rover, Blethyn owns the character of Vera Stanhope, much as Alec Guinness owned the character of George Smiley. She will be missed.

“Signora Volpe,” season two, Acorn. Emilia Fox plays a retired British spy turned local Italian detective in this cozy series, filmed in Lazio and Umbria. It features a wonderful setting, charming main character, enough local crimes to keep her busy, and a romance with a member of the Carabinieri.

“The Chelsea Detective Christmas Special,” Acorn. DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) and DS Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme) investigate the death of former pop star Chloe Carmichael. Max, a tenacious detective, lives on a houseboat and rides a bike around Chelsea. An engaging traditional British police procedural with little or no violence.

Readers and writers, have you watched any British crime shows recently?