It’s February, Cincinnati has ten inches of snow and below
zero temperatures, so it’s time to catch up on British Crime TV shows. Here’s a
list of what we’ve been watching before the Olympics:
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials (Netflix), starring
Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. A new remake of the 1929 murder
mystery set at a country house. I’m looking forward to comparing the remake to Christie’s
original story. Bonham Carter as Bundle’s mother and Freeman as Superintendent
Battle deliver memorable performances.
The Game (Britbox), starring Robson Green and Jason
Watkins. Retired detective Huw is convinced his new neighbor is the serial
killer he failed to capture during his law enforcement career. A cat-and-mouse
game ensues with the deliciously creepy Robson Green. Some violence.
Shetland, season 10 (Britbox), starring Ashley
Jensen and Alison O’Donnell. The setting in Shetland always steals the show, accompanied
by a present-day murder with roots in the past death of two island boys. Ruth
and Tosh identify and arrest the culprit. First rate plot and secondary
characters.
The Night Manager, season two (Prime), starring Hugh
Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, and Olivia Colman. Season One was based on Le Carre’s
1993 espionage novel about an undercover operation to bring down an
international arms dealer. Season Two is set primarily in Colombia, ten years
later. As soon as Hugh Laurie appears, it becomes a psychological thriller.
British intelligence and arms dealing shape the plot. Laurie delivers another
outstanding performance as Richard Roper, a powerful and flawed villain.
Bookish (PBS), starring Mark Gatiss. Set in post-war
1946 London, antiquarian bookseller Gabriel Book “assists” the police with
their investigations. Book is a charming eccentric amateur sleuth.
Readers and writers, what crime shows have you enjoyed on
TV?
