Sexy Beast

The show grew on me as the episodes and story got flowing. A few things made no sense and the double cross is always on in this saga. IF you haven't seen the movie, you don't need to understand the plot here. The movie is solid setup to the movie characters. It's all classic gangster stuff. If you don't like fights, hot women, shootings, and crazy characters, this isn't the show for you. The violence is there, not gratuitous but it's a daily part of their world. Some amazing acting here. It's really a story about using others for your own needs.

It sets up the movie moments. Tamsin Grieg is brilliant as the controlling sister. Best part of the series is her manipulation. Sarah Greene, meh...just not voluptuous, sexy nor pretty enough to be the porn star. They dress her up but she doesn't have body to pull off the role. Sarah, sure she can act but not believable. It would have been better if she and Eliza Bennet has switched roles. Eliza is solid as the girlfriend lost in the clouds and can't see that Gal's a pretty bad boy. Eliza look more the DeeDee of the movie.

Stephen Moyer is another good ruthless guy who is out to make his move to the top using Gal and Don.

Our anti-hero Gal (James McArdle) just preens throughout...tough to cheer for his success. Way too much smiling and hair. Emun is brilliant as pycho Don. You know where all the capers are heading to set up the movie. It's a solid show to enjoy. I wouldn't even mind a 2nd of this.

The film and its cast were a tough act to follow. The series tries to be as stylish but somehow misses the mark on occasion. It feels a little more low rent than the movie and say other similar series such as The Gentleman. However most of the characters are solid and the performances on the whole are good. With a bit of time you can get over some of its flaws, it doesn't seem to know what period in time it's set in for one. But the story picks up and the characters become more interesting and it ends up a decent romp.

Give it time and it finds its way and your patience is rewarded with a solid gangster story.

If you've not started this yet, and not watched the film, I'd suggest watch the film. When I heard they were making a show I thought leave it out. I watched the trailer for the show and thought OK, I'll give it go. I must say it's pretty damn good, it's so much fun and a right laugh. I love the characters, and as other reviewers have said Gal and Don are excellent. In the film you get 'the full fat' version of Don, in this he's a kind of skinny latte version, but giggle so much knowing what he becomes. Tamsin Greig who plays Cecilia is another stand out, her character is wonderful, I love her and she loves dropping the C Bomb. Personally all the characters are fun and it's a show, like Slow Horses that doesn't take itself too seriously. I'm thoroughly enjoying this show, especially as there's not much on barring True Detective and Masters of the Air that I watch. As for the low reviews, they can judge of course, the best critic is yourself, it doesn't float their boat, but please don't let that put you off. If you love British humour, the C Bomb dropping every episode and the so so violent scenes, I trust this will float your boat. A solid 8/10 from me or your money back.

I'm really enjoying this series. It's interesting enough for me to wish I could see it all in one go.

The storyline is good and Tamsin Greig is a revelation, playing a totally different character to her usual type.

Deedee is at the heart and soul of this prequel and lights up the screen whenever she appears.

Teddy played by Stephen Moyer is a real nasty piece of work, but believable.

One particular scene with him in at a nightclub was horrific and I personally don't think that it was necessary. The character is menacing enough and I think that was overkill.

On the whole the series is so good I'm now in the process of watching the original movie the series is based on.

You can't really compare the two. Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley are 2 huge character actors and nobody could be as good as they were.

However I would definitely recommend this series.

What happens when you take the movie Sexy Beast and inject it with the humour of Lock Stock and the violence of Scum, you get Sexy Beast the TV series, it's an absolute rip roar of a show, story is on point, location is on point and the cast is absolutely on point!

Emun Elliott's performance as Don Logan is as scary as ever and James McArdle is literally channelling Ray Winstone, a stellar performance considering the size of the shoes he's filling, the rest of the cast are fantastic as well, Sarah Greene as Deedee has really brought another dimension to her character and Stephen Moyer is perfect as Teddy Bass not to mention the new addition with Tamsin Greig as Don's sister, I never thought there could be a character more menacing than Don but the apple does not fall far from the tree here.

This is one of those shows that's clearly flying under the radar and I'm not sure what's going on with the ratings but it's an easy 8 out 10 for me, well worth a watch!