I thoroughly enjoyed the first season. Yes it is gritty and violent and the main character is flawed. That seems to be typical for many British crime series. I enjoyed the serial killer plot of season one but confess that season two has been difficult to follow. It seems to jump around quite a bit, and it can take quite some time before a scene ties to anything else. Other scenes seem to be so random. I have waited and waited for how they connect to the plot or anything that is happening and it just doesn't seem to be occurring. At first, I thought it was trying to show or reflect the character's flaws but now I don't think so. I think it needed a much better editor and a lot needed to be left on the floor of the editing room. I have found season two to be a disappointment.
144 Reviews
Gritty, but very watchable
grahamf-5554222 November 2021
I warmed to this by about E3. It then held my attention until the end. There were plenty of flaws, but I could live with them. Although the story and some of the characters are a bit extreme, I liked the little touches of humour and the great tussle between Lennox and the evil Confectioner (who, for some reason, is not even credited in the cast list).
I suppose the main problem I had was the credibility of the extent to which Lennox's past has affected him. There were also some odd little plot elements that didn't seem to fit.
But this was a strong highly engaging drama.
I suppose the main problem I had was the credibility of the extent to which Lennox's past has affected him. There were also some odd little plot elements that didn't seem to fit.
But this was a strong highly engaging drama.
Dougray Scott is brill
hibee3023 November 2021
First of all let me start by saying, all of you that are complaining that you can't understand my language (Scottish) you do know that the series comes with subtitles in many languages (maybe snowflake is in there, I don't know, anyhoo, dougray Scott, Ken stott and the others, (to many to type) did a great job bringing Irvine Welsh book to life, this was gritty, humorous, rude, everything you expect from Mr Welsh, if you want daytime cop shows stick to your marplss and poirots, if you want a tiny glimpse of what it's really like this show is a must, and if you enjoyed this, try watching guilt.
Vintage Irvine Welsh!
k-kininmonth20 November 2021
Some of the low scoring reviewers obviously have never seen or read Irvine Welsh's work! This is vintage Welsh not the next tv detective that's why his name is in the title.
Yes there are broken obnoxious vile men, reference Filth & trainspotting, alongside brilliantly strong women. The cast is excellent Dougray Scott has never been better.
There are also some beautifully drawn characters like Ray's Dad along with the side story of Trudi. If you just want a whodunnit watch midsommer murders this ain't generic tv detective it's pure unadulterated genius!
And for those moaning about the Scottish accent...it's set in Edinburgh what exactly did you expect !?!
Yes there are broken obnoxious vile men, reference Filth & trainspotting, alongside brilliantly strong women. The cast is excellent Dougray Scott has never been better.
There are also some beautifully drawn characters like Ray's Dad along with the side story of Trudi. If you just want a whodunnit watch midsommer murders this ain't generic tv detective it's pure unadulterated genius!
And for those moaning about the Scottish accent...it's set in Edinburgh what exactly did you expect !?!
Absorbing crime drama.
Sleepin_Dragon5 August 2023
DI Ray Lennox is tasked with finding a schoolgirl, Britney Hamill, who's been snatched of The Streets. Lennox is teamed up with DS Amanda Drummond, he's convinced her disappearance is linked to a series of child killings.
What a captivating series this is, well worth your time. To start with, I'd have to be a little critical of the scheduling, I saw it when it first landed on Britbox, it took so long for ITV to show it, but then it was on so late, hopefully series two will get a better deal.
The story is great, it's an intriguing, suspenseful mystery, it put me in mind of a cross between Rebus and Prime Suspect. We've been starved of Scottish crime dramas, think of Taggart and Rebus, hopefully this show will run for some time.
It's very well made drama, it looked great, the music was spot on. The pacing was spot on.
The best element of it, the acting, the acting is genuinely off that scale, Dougray Scott delivers a masterclass, he's phenomenal, Lennox is damaged, determined and dealing with serious addiction issues, he's from perfect.
Scott is awesome, but the supporting cast are terrific, Ken Stott, John Simm, Angela Griffin etc, all deliver.
I can't wait for the second series, this was truly a captivating watch.
9/10.
What a captivating series this is, well worth your time. To start with, I'd have to be a little critical of the scheduling, I saw it when it first landed on Britbox, it took so long for ITV to show it, but then it was on so late, hopefully series two will get a better deal.
The story is great, it's an intriguing, suspenseful mystery, it put me in mind of a cross between Rebus and Prime Suspect. We've been starved of Scottish crime dramas, think of Taggart and Rebus, hopefully this show will run for some time.
It's very well made drama, it looked great, the music was spot on. The pacing was spot on.
The best element of it, the acting, the acting is genuinely off that scale, Dougray Scott delivers a masterclass, he's phenomenal, Lennox is damaged, determined and dealing with serious addiction issues, he's from perfect.
Scott is awesome, but the supporting cast are terrific, Ken Stott, John Simm, Angela Griffin etc, all deliver.
I can't wait for the second series, this was truly a captivating watch.
9/10.
Violence Comes from Shame
owen-watts4 July 2022
The first ever Irvine Welsh TV project is this fascinatingly odd procedural crime thing centred around DCI Ray Lennox, a bruised and haunted character, portrayed with mesmeric volatility by Dougray Scott. The whole ensemble are largely fantastic (particularly the evergreen Ken Stott and Angela Griffin as Lennox's partner Trudi) but Crime knows this too and indulges in strange deviations and character tangents that go nowhere. It's an intensely watchable show partly because of this strange unpredictability, sometimes it follows police TV clichés to the letter, sometimes it wildly subverts them. It's as irrepressible and chaotic as its ragged protagonist, for better or worse.
Simply Superb
InnerWisdom100028 July 2022
This was a top-drawer drama series. The script was outstanding but the acting in particular was simply class. Dougray Scott in particular was astonishing- in fact his performances were on par with the likes of Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. And that's saying something. Astonishing stuff. And all of this is interwoven with first class direction and production. I could not take my eyes off it from the first episode to the last.
A word of warning though: this is not for the faint-hearted. There are a number of scenes which are as hard-hitting as they are harrowing. Those who have suffered any loss with the abduction, or worse, of a child should probably avoid.
Finally, this is an exceptional depiction of a serial killer who like many of his genre, has a superior intelligence that leaves most aghast. But that intelligence hides a dearth of emotionality for which all psychopaths have in common, and to which sadly most of us do not spot until it is too late.
Thank You to all in the making of this superior drama series...
A word of warning though: this is not for the faint-hearted. There are a number of scenes which are as hard-hitting as they are harrowing. Those who have suffered any loss with the abduction, or worse, of a child should probably avoid.
Finally, this is an exceptional depiction of a serial killer who like many of his genre, has a superior intelligence that leaves most aghast. But that intelligence hides a dearth of emotionality for which all psychopaths have in common, and to which sadly most of us do not spot until it is too late.
Thank You to all in the making of this superior drama series...
Gritty and dark detective thriller - has promise
JRB-NorthernSoul18 November 2021
Nice to see Dougray Scott back on home turf as troubled, philosophising DI Ray Lennox. A girl is missing and the serial killer 'Mr Confectioner' is a prime suspect. It's adapted by Irvine Welsh from his 2008 novel and reset in Edinburgh instead of Miami.
Well made, directed, photographed, strong cast and nice score. Script was a little off, a bit slow paced with too much emphasis on him and not enough on a compelling plot line.
Sometimes felt like an old story not quite brought up to date, Lennox has a lot of detective cliche tropes, troubled past, substance abuse etc. But also a loving partner, be interesting to see how that relationship plays out.
Overall it did enough to draw me in, hopefully will find its groove as it develops.
Well made, directed, photographed, strong cast and nice score. Script was a little off, a bit slow paced with too much emphasis on him and not enough on a compelling plot line.
Sometimes felt like an old story not quite brought up to date, Lennox has a lot of detective cliche tropes, troubled past, substance abuse etc. But also a loving partner, be interesting to see how that relationship plays out.
Overall it did enough to draw me in, hopefully will find its groove as it develops.
A must watch
amyroberts-3426926 November 2021
YOU HAD ONE JOB
fionastaun21 August 2022
Top Drama
daviddunn-9065328 November 2021
Season One was outstanding, but Season Two is even better. Compulsive viewing.
A really good production on all levels. Not for the faint hearted or easily offended, the story is harrowing, eye opening and extremely brutal at times but this is real life and nobody portrays this better than Irvine Welsh.
Well written, superbly acted, with sub-plots that suggest a third season may follow. I hope so !
A really good production on all levels. Not for the faint hearted or easily offended, the story is harrowing, eye opening and extremely brutal at times but this is real life and nobody portrays this better than Irvine Welsh.
Well written, superbly acted, with sub-plots that suggest a third season may follow. I hope so !
Drawn out in the end
gallagherkellie28 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The last 2 episodes became repetitive.
The first few episodes promised gritty mystery thriller but then it became more about the personal lives of the cops, their friends and families. Which is ok for a long running show but when you have 6 episodes you need to make it about the crimes and investigation. There wasn't a lot of investigation - the killer came to them. I'm still a little confused about some of their back stories.
The killer was revealed too early also and there was no twist of any kind.
The acting was well done and I would still watch a second season, it wasn't bad. It just wasn't great either.
The first few episodes promised gritty mystery thriller but then it became more about the personal lives of the cops, their friends and families. Which is ok for a long running show but when you have 6 episodes you need to make it about the crimes and investigation. There wasn't a lot of investigation - the killer came to them. I'm still a little confused about some of their back stories.
The killer was revealed too early also and there was no twist of any kind.
The acting was well done and I would still watch a second season, it wasn't bad. It just wasn't great either.
Good start lousy ending
pwchoate22 December 2021
What started out as a scintillating examination of trauma and sexual assault turned into a disappointing glorification of violence at the end. Indeed the purpose of the violence at the end was gratuitous. In addition the story left to many plot lines dangling. I would not recommend us.
Berilliant!
amyroberts-3426926 November 2021
Stays interesting until the last episode
ikanboy18 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It's a well written, engrossing psychologically themed police procedural with off kilter characters, sociological comments. Doug Ray Scott does get tiresome as the boozing, drug taking, rageful cop, and loses all empathy as a character very quickly. It all builds up to the end, and that's where the author's self indulgence jumps the shark. John Simm's sudden voluntary appearance as the killer is so obviously a plot device for the author to ramble on about trauma and it's after affects.
Once again the serial killer is exalted above his true station: an efficient killer whose motives are irrelevant, because they are so mundane. Sociopathy is a disease not worthy of the cult like reverence the fiction writers have elevated it to.
Once again the serial killer is exalted above his true station: an efficient killer whose motives are irrelevant, because they are so mundane. Sociopathy is a disease not worthy of the cult like reverence the fiction writers have elevated it to.
A bit disappointed
jimc-1269821 December 2021
The first 2 episodes are a waste of viewing time they are simply used to spout his anti English and anti Union beliefs the main character is a alcoholic drug user with severe mental health issues he makes him a hearts fan ..you have to be Scots to get these episodes after that it's a predictable msm cop show ticking all the pc boxes most of the scene's inside the interview room were as believable as star wars I mean come on Irvine we live in the age of scrutiny ...all in all it just about OK but I expected better of Irvine...
Imperfectly brilliant
johnbeatnik12 September 2022
If, like some of the reviewers here, you long for the halcyon days of Taggart and long for there to have been "anuther murda" then you may come away from this disappointed. If you've read Crime by Irvine Welsh, this is only very loosely based on the original novel. In fact there isn't much about it that's similar save for the protagonist and the subject matter. In true Welsh style there are lashings of booze, drugs, intrigue, violence and also big laughs. It gets dark towards the end and there are some genuinely affecting themes here - not fit the faint hearted or easily triggered. It's not perfect, some of the acting is pish and characters are not all wholly convincing but all in all well worth a watch for anyone. Dougray Scott is absolutely outstanding. Give it a go.
Same Old Same Old
rosemaryandthyme10 December 2021
Aargh not again... moody detective with past issues; woke, vegan, feminist sidekick; misogynist white bull-in-china-shop fellow detective that gets slapped down by the feminist and so on. Nothing new here. The only good part is the beautiful Scottish scenery, everything has a blue hue setting the mood and is quite lovely. Pity about everything else.
Nordic crime thriller Irvine Welsh style
chrislawuk24 November 2022
Being from Edinburgh, it gives me an upper hand with the accent. It is well made, with some really interesting cinematography and Edinburgh settings. I have not seen a single series, or movie, which showed so many parts of Edinburgh venues and architecture before. European crime (Nordic thrillers) thriller tv series really took a turn in 2011 with Forbrydelsen (The killing) coming out, and this is in someways in a similar vein. Anything by Irvine Welsh has its own humour and character dynamics, and this is the first tv series that comes to mind written by him. I felt it was a high level crime thriller, and the play off between the lead detective and the child killer was well handled. Its not a gory film, but the subject matter and the character development is for mature audiences only, as it is descriptively horrific. Again like Filth Irvine Welshes feature film, it features a less than perfect Police Constable. Yet it is his flaws which also enable him to achieve the results he does in the work place. Its a harrowing honest series. Could definately lay claim to a Silence of the Lambs influence. Further watching may be the1992 film by Abel Ferrara, Bad Lieutenant, & also Sidney Lumets1981 film Prince of the City. It is not a stereo typical British series like The Bill, or Taggart. The characters are flawed and its much closer to reality on the force. This is where British crime drama/ thrillers should be heading; making adult entretainment, not watered down hogwash. It is much braver and more raw. Production value is very high, and it did the city of Edinburgh proud for once. One of the best British series I have seen in a while.
A bit too much over acting
efd-1046726 November 2022
Basically a good murder mystery police show, but the mix of the mystery and police work is over shadowed by Dougray Scott's over acting as the tortured soul is too much.
The story gets dragged out too far by his psych issues which dominate the storyline.
It also adds a lot of unrealistic issues in the workplace which in real life would gave him out of a job in a day or so, Ken Stott is terrible, he comes across as s total buffoon, again in real life he would have trouble holding a job as a postman.
If there ever is a series 2 they need more plot and detective work and less dramatic psycho analyses.
The story gets dragged out too far by his psych issues which dominate the storyline.
It also adds a lot of unrealistic issues in the workplace which in real life would gave him out of a job in a day or so, Ken Stott is terrible, he comes across as s total buffoon, again in real life he would have trouble holding a job as a postman.
If there ever is a series 2 they need more plot and detective work and less dramatic psycho analyses.
Hard, Dark & Promising
ieohmingpeijj27 November 2021
I was lucky enough to meet Irvine many years ago when he was a guest author on a writing course. I made a good friend there and also was able to keep in touch with Irvine up until I went to live and work in China. That original meeting ensured I caught up and then followed Irvine's work and I have not been disappointed. Movie/TV adaptions have not always lived up to the quality of his novels but "Crime" seems to be doing so. If you are interested in his work and decent adaptions of it then check this series out, it's well worth the time.
Alright - lead so unstable it is uncomfortable
charlottehighton24 December 2023
The overall story is ok, the acting is good, a lot of the dialogue is interesting if you are interested in Scottish banter BUT the main character cries constantly (like 5+ times per episode) and is so mentally unstable that in my opinion, it is uncomfortable to watch. I get that he is haunted by demons etc but he clearly should not be a cop. When you cry constantly and scream over a dead body it's time to had in your credentials. We have so much true crime and crime drama that we know the emotion of the main character would have him sidelined in a heartbeat.
If they reduced the emotion by about 30% it would have been a much better show.
Thought season 2 would have toned it down a little bit but unfortunately no, he is still constantly crying.
If they reduced the emotion by about 30% it would have been a much better show.
Thought season 2 would have toned it down a little bit but unfortunately no, he is still constantly crying.
Who fired the continuity supervisor?
peterschielen27 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Made it through all episodes, to see how it ends, only to be disappointed by the strangest, most unfulfilling ending ever. Interesting that no crime is solved, not a single lead is correctly followed up to get closer to the suspect. Luckily, the perpetrator is helpful enough to just make himself known. And then the many errors-a garden hose released from the tap does not slowly lose pressure, but instantly. The description of a sex scene between two men and a woman is physically impossible. Most of the plot is completely incomprehensible. An insult to lovers of a layered crime story, or just realistic scenes.
Give it a chance
kyliebaby-748739 December 2021
I found the first couple of episodes hard to watch because the main character seemed all over the place, like he was over acting how erratic he was. He wasn't and that was obvious as I persevered past ep2. It's a great series with (like the negative reviews say) lots of mini plots but when it all slots into place you understand why those were needed. Very well written and acted and anybody who's experienced any of the topics raised can relate. Give it the chance it deserves its well worth it. It's raw and gritty just as you'd expect from Irvine Welsh.
Dont listen to the low raters
rubytrudie-006764 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Having watched the six episodes . I have to say this 'crime' series is of a higher level than that i have watched on UK TV . The acting is en point to the calibre of the actors involved . Adding John Simms as the evil 'confectioner' just elevated this crime drama . As for the comments of 'Scottish ' accents . This drama is based in Edingburgh . What did you wxpect ??
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