Hope Street

As much as I am enjoying this new series I can't understand why two Police Officers need to get romantically involved. It is very unprofessional and detracts from the storyline. I am getting a little tired of the flirty glances and suggestive smirks going on between them. Otherwise a watchable series.

Please don't judge this on the first two episodes. It gets much better, and by episode five it tootles along nicely.

The temptation to switch off is almost irresistible at the start when several seasoned actors (who should know better) ham it up and let everyone else down. They eventually calm down and remember to act for modern television rather than an amateur stage. It is interesting to see the dynamic between three key relationships. In each one a strong, nuanced performer is paired with someone doing exaggerated slapstick. Perhaps that's intentional but I'm my opinion it doesn't work well.

Very well done to the crew who must have had great patience to film almost exclusively in sunny weather. Sun, sea and sand make it a show to look forward to.

If you've given up, please tune in and stick with it.

I don't know; I liked it. I'm a huge fan of the dark and beautifully intense British shows that one reviewer talked about watching on a dreary overcast day but you could clearly tell from the trailer, this wasn't that kind of show. I check out trailers before I invest in a show. Anyway yes, it doesn't have the dark depth of Crime or Line of Duty. It's lighter and "easier". There doesn't seem to be the multiple deceptive plots which is kind of nice for a change. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, but it's a nice change of pace. Tonight I'm sure I'll be watching something with gloriously deep and twisted motives and so forth. But this will be in my back pocket to pull out often when I need to exhale.

This series isn't complex, it isn't high entertainment but it isn't boring or terrible either.

The whole group of quirky characters seem like people you know or have met, and it's easy to care about them. Yes, at times it's a little soapy, but you can't help watching and caring about the outcomes.

All in all, it's very pleasant and a nice hour spent, kind of like Born and Bred.

Like some of the reviewers, I found the first episode cringe-worthy. There were many clangers. It's hard to be objective when watching locally produced TV. Lots of cliches.

However, three episodes in and it's trying to find it's groove.

As Northern Irish, I am happy to see a BBC drama based here and not about orange and green. I think the acting is mostly good. Donaghadee looks great.

I'd add that the show needs to decide what it is. At the moment it's skimming over gritty issues like people trafficking, while creating silly humour between the older characters and a portrayal of a naive constable. Maybe it's identity will evolve over the remaining episodes.

Overall, let's give it some encouragement. Shouldn't we nurture local talent and programmes about our country?