Redemption

Redemption traces the experiences of Detective Inspector Collette Cunningham (Paula Malcolmson), a successful Liverpool Serious Crime Squad senior detective called back to her native Dublin by the Irish Garda (Police) due to the untimely death of her daughter Stacey (Rachel O'Byrne) from whom she'd been estranged for over 35 years. Collette is named as guardian of two unknown grandchildren, 16 year old Cara (Abby Fitz) and 14 year old Liam (Evan O'Connor), who have an absent father Eoin (Moe Dunford). To care for her grandkids and to more fully investigate the suspicious circumstances of her daughter's death, Collette swings a 6 month transfer as a junior DI with the Dublin Garda.

What emerges is a thoroughly gripping drama with a taut and intense story line over 6 episodes as Collette begins to unravel what really happened to her daughter against the backdrop of Dublin's organized crime syndicates whilst trying to develop a relationship with grieving teenagers with complex lives and zero history with their grandma. The show features excellent Irish acting talent and provides a view into modern Irish policing which makes for some fascinating and distinct cultural and procedural/legal differences from the far more common UK police dramas. Collette's quirky partner Siobhan (Thadea Graham), down to earth colleague Patrick (Keith McEarlean) and acerbic boss Jane (famous Irish actress Siobhan McSweeney) are magnificently cast. Of particular note were the fantastic and intense performances of the two young stars, 21 year old Fitz and only 15 year old O'Connor, both novice actors with prior experience only in more minor roles.

I'm surprised at some of the negative reviews as this series was a great showcase of Irish acting talent which meant this was not just a regional variation of a British cop show.

At the beginning of the first episode, Detective Collette, who is reportedly highly experienced, knowledgeable, efficient as a detective, is in charge of a raid looking for a wanted suspect. The suspect is confronted, runs, is caught after a struggle. As the officers are holding him, he continues struggling. It apparently never occurs to any of the officers, of any rank, to handcuff him. Instead they scold him and advise him of his "right to remain silent"; which is NOT required to be given immediately upon arrest. The suspect continues struggling, breaks away and runs again.

The efficient, professional detective finds a bag of drugs and and money in her deceased daughter's bedroom. There is no apparent good reason for her to hang on to this bag of loot, yet at the risk of her job, her safety, her life, she doesn't immediately call the police station to report it and have them pick up the bag.

C'mon; I know it's a TV show, but please, a little more realism, especially consistent with the quality of officer they're trying to convey here.

Merseyside Detective Colette Cunningham receives a phone call explaining that her estranged daughter Stacey has died, Colette heads to Dublin to look into her death, and take care of her grandchildren.

I watched episode one and couldn't get into it, I think it's fair to say that Redemption is something of a slow burner, if you struggle with episode one, my advice is power through, the rest is very rewarding. Colette investigates a series of crimes, but she's there for one reason only.

Episode four was the real turning point for me, it really sprang into life at that point.

There is a complexity to the storyline which makes it very engaging, Colette is discovering a whole new world, and has to adapt to dealing with two grieving, but very different children, Paula Malcomson is excellent from start to finish.

Colette's relationships with her boss, colleagues and grandchildren are all so engaging, she's a great central character.

The acting throughout is first rate, aside from the excellent Malcomson, the performances are quality, Siobhan McSweeney, More Dunford and Thaddea Graham are all spot on.

I'd love there to be another investigation for Colette, there's more mileage here. Hopefully a second series will follow.

8/10.

Amazing little series. Really hope we get another.

The acting is brilliant, and it's great to see a story written around a woman in her fifties.

The casting is inspired, everyone.is 100% believable, and the whole thing is surprisingly moving.

I loved this show.

... Paula Malcomson is an extremely-prolific well-known film-TV-actor from Belfast, Ireland... she makes this entire series start-to-finish hers-to-happen & she's wonderful in it... entire cast is very-good

... just don't know about the starting storyline premise that she had readily let her daughter run-off & that after extensive searches is never able to find her... she goes on to have an outstanding thirty-year-career achieving rank of Detective Chief Inspector in Liverpool... then permanently gives it all up to move to Dublin accepting a considerably reduced rank of Detective Inspector

... anyway, it's a series well-worth-watching, whose status is that of "returning-series"... so maybe some plot-adjustments get addressed in upcoming season(s)