Sometimes I'm not wanting different or radical. Sometimes I want easy and familiar and just watchable. This is it, familiar places with just a touch of humour. Sonita Henry is great and a good foil to Adrian Scarborough who plays the DI with a slight weariness that is subtle and smile worthy to enjoy. The plots are easy and it's a distraction that's not too taxing after a working day.
88 Reviews
Shades of "Vera" and "Inspector Morse"
gee-1514 April 2022
Nothing terribly innovative here. Just another interesting detective procedural. The two leads are fun to watch but, surprisingly, lead fairly normal lives. DI Arnold( Scarborough) is struggling with the breakup of his marriage and DI Shamsie (Henry) just had a baby and is making adjustments. But it's all within a normal range and so the emphasis is on the detecting. Their two costars (played by Bankole and Phelps) are a good addition and create a team of uber-competent policepersons. Adrian Scarborough is a revelation. I'm used to seeing him in comic buffoonish roles. He plays it serious here with his cycling, piano playing, dyslexic detective and does it well. The plots are the usual combo of twisty narratives, people lying to the police (sometimes for absurd reasons..."Why didn't I tell you I was at the victim's house five minutes before he was bludgeoned to death? I didn't think it was relevant.") and interrogations accompanied by legal counsel who remain silent and doodle on yellow pads. It's all been done before but it goes down easy. Good show!
Good plots, solid characters
akrk-313201 March 2022
What a GEM!
egriggs-567-116221 April 2022
Wonderful well rounded characters especially for a first season show. I want more. I certainly hope it's renewed and they keep up the quality writing and acting. I just find it so enjoyable. Not too dark. Quirky & coupled with a good story line. Continuous personal drama but completion of "murder of the week" (so to speak)
I really enjoyed this show.
Another great British cop show
wrxsti5429 March 2022
Yet another superb British cop show. Due to its size and dominance in British culture, a good number of UK police dramas are set in London, the capital. UK TV show makers have based a good number of cop shows in regional parts of the UK and the local customs and accents add flavour to the show.
With the exception of Whitechapel, which was East End specific, The Chelsea Detective makes a virtue of its specific London suburban location with lots of gorgeous shots of Chelsea landmarks, a focus on the mostly affluent lifestyles in what was once a village near the city rather than big city life in central London, a cameo by the famous Chelsea Pensioners, and the lead detective DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) is a local lad with long standing family connections to the area. Arnold adds Chelsea colour by living on a Thames houseboat and riding a mountain bike to work.
The show is gentle and very much steeped in the upper crust lifestyle of Chelsea but the plots are strong and the supporting cast of detectives, especial DS Priya Shamsie (Sonita Henry) in Season 1 and DS Lavia Walsh (Venessa Emma) in Season 2, are an excellent compliment to DI Arnold's mildly eccentric persistence and witty dry humour. Yes there's the obligatory racial quotas in the cast but the show avoids much of the PC wokery one sees in dramas in the 2020's. Season 2 is just as strong as Season 1.
With the exception of Whitechapel, which was East End specific, The Chelsea Detective makes a virtue of its specific London suburban location with lots of gorgeous shots of Chelsea landmarks, a focus on the mostly affluent lifestyles in what was once a village near the city rather than big city life in central London, a cameo by the famous Chelsea Pensioners, and the lead detective DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) is a local lad with long standing family connections to the area. Arnold adds Chelsea colour by living on a Thames houseboat and riding a mountain bike to work.
The show is gentle and very much steeped in the upper crust lifestyle of Chelsea but the plots are strong and the supporting cast of detectives, especial DS Priya Shamsie (Sonita Henry) in Season 1 and DS Lavia Walsh (Venessa Emma) in Season 2, are an excellent compliment to DI Arnold's mildly eccentric persistence and witty dry humour. Yes there's the obligatory racial quotas in the cast but the show avoids much of the PC wokery one sees in dramas in the 2020's. Season 2 is just as strong as Season 1.
comfy like old socks
A_Different_Drummer27 March 2022
You review this show in terms of what it is not. Not Morse. Not Lewis. Not even close. Not written by Moffat. Not something you would go out of your way to schedule for a family viewing. Not fast moving. In fact if Scarborough's detective were any slower, he would require dusting. But it is safe, it is comfy, it is not excessively woke, and it holds the attention. Sonita Henry does an especially decent job as the sidekick, packing a massive amount of dignity and self-confidence into a role nobody usually pays attention to. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Good old British detective show.
guy-summerton7 March 2022
Really enjoying this and I do hope it comes back for another series. What is it I like about it? That's a difficult question to answer. It just works, the characters are good , the storylines are good and I'm pleased to be seeing it set in London for some reason. As a Yorkshire man I think I've seen enough northern dramas for a while. Keep up the good work.
Worth a look
louisianagrey22 February 2022
The bad review bears all the hallmarks of someone who read the synopsis and cast list but didn't actually watch the program and therefore doesn't understand it. OK, it's not the deepest, most thought-provoking programme you'll ever see, but having watched the first I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the series to see how the characters develop, particularly the complex relationship between the protagonist and his estranged partner. The crime-solving is an added bonus!
Neither 10 nor 3
kms-914617 March 2022
I would have never given this show 10. Neither 3. It is sort of average, but good entertainment and quite watchable. Not very handsome, ginger, middle aged and sligthly over weight - the main character, despite all that is rather symphatetic. Some death, some life, as ususal in British criminal story. And this makes it likeable. Good acting, good dialogues, London nicely shown. And that is it.
Normal Thus a Bit Different
westsideschl30 July 2022
Good choice of actors; a bit more normal than we usually find in crime series (no bizarre issues or personalities). Crimes are fairly normal also, but just different enough to be interesting. Forensics (important) are well done.
Police Procedure?
jenkatesmith27 March 2023
I enjoy this show as pure entertainment, but I am confused by one thing: why do the detectives don their sterile suits and then walk down the street on their nice white booties to reach the crime scene? Would that not add as many contaminants as keeping their own footwear on? In VERA for example, she puts hers own right at the crime scene tape (often having Aiden place them for her), so she's not tracking through a field and then entering the cordoned area. I realize it's a minor detail, but it distracts me every time. I didn't know if that was procedure, and surely there is a consultant for the show to observe such actions.
Quality Entertainment
MGL4 March 2022
Why do they always mess up season 2
alcoyne-0527929 August 2023
Extremely disappointed with season 2 episode 1. The first season was about him and his qworks his partner and ex-girlfriend. But his work partner is not in this season and they seem to have tried to replace her with two other characters without explanation..the plot is very readable and obvious the acting is overdone on occasions I'm very very disappointed with this.. we want more of the main Character. And better direction on acting.. Last season had its funny bits that seemed natural to him but this seasonIt seems forced....... I will not give give away the plot. But please whoever is making this look back on last season and revert to it..
One After Another
grnwltr-1121225 July 2022
There are so many of these short form British procedurals that they have a tendency to bleed (no pun) into each other. This is no better, and no worse, than the rest of the programs that have proliferated over the past decade. The acting is serviceable. Character development is by the numbers (new baby; recent divorce; secondary players barely fleshed out). The four cases in Series One provide few surprises (if you are familiar with this kind of stuff) and are essentially comfort food for brains on autopilot. Six hours to dampen one's expectations. That is, if you come to these four episodes expecting very little you will not be disappointed.
Love it
Ghillie_Forrest28 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I like these characters. I like that he lives on a houseboat (and is planning to stay on it -- the one thing that might have spoiled it for me would have been a reconciliation between Max and Astrid). I found Frances Barber irrelevant.
And I liked the stories. No, they may not be all that deep, but I also love Death in Paradise. I don't want a steady diet of Line of Duty, much as I enjoyed it.
I devoutly hope Acorn makes more of these. Like the one in Brighton with Jason Watkins, these slightly quirky combinations of characters give a show a little appeal of its own. But I must say I was relieved in Episode 4 when the wife of the murder victim also turned out to be black. I have nothing against mixed-race coupling, but it has so much become a given in recent series that it has lost a lot of credibility. I get very sick of box-ticking in casting.
Bring on more!
And I liked the stories. No, they may not be all that deep, but I also love Death in Paradise. I don't want a steady diet of Line of Duty, much as I enjoyed it.
I devoutly hope Acorn makes more of these. Like the one in Brighton with Jason Watkins, these slightly quirky combinations of characters give a show a little appeal of its own. But I must say I was relieved in Episode 4 when the wife of the murder victim also turned out to be black. I have nothing against mixed-race coupling, but it has so much become a given in recent series that it has lost a lot of credibility. I get very sick of box-ticking in casting.
Bring on more!
It's growing on me
tikitim-7652014 May 2022
I have watched three episodes so far and I will say that it is growing on me. I like the first one and then the second one I was on the fence but the third one got my interest again. I think I like the characters the best and even though the dialogue in parts is not realistic it is engaging and keeps my interest. I also like the photography and getting to see parts of London. It kind of takes me there. I would say it is a solid show and hopefully it will get better with even more character to development.
Easy watching
mbell-5621426 June 2022
I enjoyed this more than the Sunday night ITV cop shows. It just feels as if more effort has been put into the writing. Don't get me wrong, it's no masterpiece, but it's above average and an easy watch for a police show that isn't violent.
Well Done
cibrocsa13 March 2022
My wife and I watched the first episode, and we both were very pleased with this new show. Sometimes 90 minute shows seem like 60 minutes episodes where much padding has been added to extend, but this kept us involved throughout. Early character development, an interesting plot and good dialog made for a fine premiere.
... wish it were more intriguing.. maybe season two will be
bjarias15 July 2022
... it's a pretty show to look at, that being its number one attraction... with four non-related crime-drama stories, and personal-life-stories very briefly intermingled... it's not that it's bad, it's just not that interesting overall.. the 'find' of the series is Sonita Henry, she makes watching somewhat more palatable.
This show is amazing. There are levels to it!
picassovegas-912-72415026 February 2022
Disappointing
daughteroflily23 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Only watched the first episode, so I can only hope it improves. Started off well. Believable characters, no silly stuff, good old plain British police drama. Half way through things changed. So many holes in the plot. So easy to figure out who the girl in the photo was. Some awful lines...white with blue swirls. Sigh...Buttons popping off to leave a clue...very convenient.
Very loveable, a bit like McDonald & Dodds.
epacrisimpressa16 August 2022
Ignore the whinging of the few, if you love British cop shows you'll enjoy this delightful series. I'm so, so glad that a second series is said to be in the pipeline! As another reviewer said, there's not really much gore, which is a big relief to me: I'm really fed up with the gratuitous dwelling on horror in some series. The cops don't moralise either, also refreshing. The only irritant for me is DI Max Arnold's nasty ex, Astrid. Does she really have to be so hateful??
Complaints that this show isn't realistic are absurd: if you want to drown yourself in grim, depressing reality, there's plenty of true crime about. Believe me, I've watched it. We don't watch these programs to learn about reality, but for mature, intelligent entertainment and escapism. No shame in that.
Complaints that this show isn't realistic are absurd: if you want to drown yourself in grim, depressing reality, there's plenty of true crime about. Believe me, I've watched it. We don't watch these programs to learn about reality, but for mature, intelligent entertainment and escapism. No shame in that.
Decent for an anthology but still only worth a 7/10
ResalovsIzzy17 March 2022
Almost Decent for an anthology (90 minutes), it doesn't feel rushed but they do cut obvious corners. Best part, Lead Detective treats subordinates with respect & doesn't "clap & bark orders", a pet peeve of mine with police procedures.
Negatives: There is nothing special about Arnold's Crime Board at his private residence. Personal issues of Arnold & Priya are not funny and shallow, respectively.
Last, if someone confesses to a serious crime out in the field, including a long explanation: What Detectives are going to have a Police Car pick up the criminal & then they decide to go straight home without a dot of paperwork & plan to do it tomorrow. Are taped or written confessions ASAP Under Caution no longer important?
Has potential with better writers.
Negatives: There is nothing special about Arnold's Crime Board at his private residence. Personal issues of Arnold & Priya are not funny and shallow, respectively.
Last, if someone confesses to a serious crime out in the field, including a long explanation: What Detectives are going to have a Police Car pick up the criminal & then they decide to go straight home without a dot of paperwork & plan to do it tomorrow. Are taped or written confessions ASAP Under Caution no longer important?
Has potential with better writers.
wannabe series
micke-bystrom10 December 2023
Based on 8 episodes**:
If you're no good it doesn't help if you want to make a British quality police series. Peter Fincham certainly can't do it. The stories are bland, boring and unimaginative driven by plots that are taken from "reality" without the real parts intact. I guess they didn't have time for those.
The series are full of less than adequate acting, poor character development and stiff scenes where actor read their weak lines in front of the camera, posting another day on the job.
The writers try really hard to put modern moral dilemmas into this, but it's presented as if they don't understand the first of the ideas they do want to use.
The first season with Sonita Henry as DS sidekick was almost watchable (though not quite), but the replacement (Vanessa Emme) in 2nd season is unfortunately even more weak and emotionless. She comes off as a robot on screen as do most of the other actors, if slightly less so compared to Vanessa.
If Adrian Scarborough just didn't give an appearance like the toad that is his DI Max Arnold, then he could almost work in this role. But as much in this series he's never far from being one of the stiffs. When the script asks something realistic and common among humans to develop, Adrian goes through the motions and invariably very little actually happens.
This is all very weak stuff, only suitable for an audience that cannot handle the real world and the great acting that now is legio in many TV-series of the 21th Century. This particular series might have been passed off as pretty good 40 years ago. The creative world has moved on since, but obviously some writers and directors have not.
Chelsea Detective is a waste of time better spent on something great.
I just realised! This is how drama will be when AI agents write new material and any actual real people involved are stupid enough to think it's any good. The horror!
** When I had only watched 3 episodes of season 2 I had it at 4, but for obscure reasons I watched the 4th episode as well. Now I feel this review has been far too kind.
The series are full of less than adequate acting, poor character development and stiff scenes where actor read their weak lines in front of the camera, posting another day on the job.
The writers try really hard to put modern moral dilemmas into this, but it's presented as if they don't understand the first of the ideas they do want to use.
The first season with Sonita Henry as DS sidekick was almost watchable (though not quite), but the replacement (Vanessa Emme) in 2nd season is unfortunately even more weak and emotionless. She comes off as a robot on screen as do most of the other actors, if slightly less so compared to Vanessa.
If Adrian Scarborough just didn't give an appearance like the toad that is his DI Max Arnold, then he could almost work in this role. But as much in this series he's never far from being one of the stiffs. When the script asks something realistic and common among humans to develop, Adrian goes through the motions and invariably very little actually happens.
This is all very weak stuff, only suitable for an audience that cannot handle the real world and the great acting that now is legio in many TV-series of the 21th Century. This particular series might have been passed off as pretty good 40 years ago. The creative world has moved on since, but obviously some writers and directors have not.
Chelsea Detective is a waste of time better spent on something great.
I just realised! This is how drama will be when AI agents write new material and any actual real people involved are stupid enough to think it's any good. The horror!
** When I had only watched 3 episodes of season 2 I had it at 4, but for obscure reasons I watched the 4th episode as well. Now I feel this review has been far too kind.
put the kettle on and enjoy
dklecan18 September 2023
Surprised at the negative reviews on season 2. I Love this show and find it to be one of the best crime shows currently showing and Enjoyed season two. So they replaced Sarita....so what. This new detective seems very charming...give her a chance. Sarita and her baby problems were super boring, especially if your watching this show as an escapism. Instead add more about the Chelsea neighborhood and its people....as it seems like an interesting and funky place.
Speaking of interesting people, give the detective's aunt Olivia much more screen time. I love Frances Barber in anything, even in Whistable Pearl (A murder mystery with the worse chemistry between its protagonists). Give her more of a Miss Marple type of role, providing her nephew with clues. The episode with her toy boy is one of my favorites.
But please get rid of Astrid, the ex-wife. For me It's the only negative aspect about this show. You can fast forward any time she is on screen without it changing the story at all. It seems like writers always have to give the main detective a personal problem. At least here, it's an ex-wife not drug/alcohol/corruption issues. Other than that I love everything about the show. Might seem boring, but love the gentle violin background, the curmudgeon detective, the interaction among the protagonists. Seems like a normal work environment...some seriousness, some humor...just solving a murder. No inter-office politics, screaming and yelling.
Speaking of interesting people, give the detective's aunt Olivia much more screen time. I love Frances Barber in anything, even in Whistable Pearl (A murder mystery with the worse chemistry between its protagonists). Give her more of a Miss Marple type of role, providing her nephew with clues. The episode with her toy boy is one of my favorites.
But please get rid of Astrid, the ex-wife. For me It's the only negative aspect about this show. You can fast forward any time she is on screen without it changing the story at all. It seems like writers always have to give the main detective a personal problem. At least here, it's an ex-wife not drug/alcohol/corruption issues. Other than that I love everything about the show. Might seem boring, but love the gentle violin background, the curmudgeon detective, the interaction among the protagonists. Seems like a normal work environment...some seriousness, some humor...just solving a murder. No inter-office politics, screaming and yelling.
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