Crime

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.

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.

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...

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.

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 !?!