DCI Ellis is cold as steel and doles out her sympathies very sparingly. Her partner Harper, although fumbling at times, is no baffoon like we see many times in detective shows. I like Ellis and her quiet, no-nonsense demeanor, as she solves cases wearing her long dark coat, dreadlocks and almost complete lack of facial expression. Occasionally, she'll give a mean side-eye to injustice, or a knowing glance to her partner, and it feels like we've been let in on something.
These are the detectives I love to watch on British shows. Intelligent characters with depth and a past that may or may not be revealed, like DCI Ray, Van der Valk, and older ones like George Gently and Morse. Aside from Grantchester, "cozy" mysteries hold no interest for me. I am three episodes in, and I'm sure Ellis will be one at the top of my list.
I'm just a little confused about the constant phone cords, although those will probably be explained in time, unless I missed something. I also wonder how and why this duo of detectives are sent throughout the country assisting other police departments. Perhaps that is how it is done in England. And who is the gray-haired woman we see briefly on Ellis's phone or tablet screen giving orders to them? There is a slight James Bond feel there. It's all very intriguing to me. Can't wait for more episodes.
