Ellis

I'm always on the lookout for new TV crime dramas. I have to admit that I'm quite picky, and I have particularly high expectations for English crime dramas. They've set the bar high with Poirot, Prime Suspect, Frost and not least Morse. I gave this miniseries a chance and don't regret it. The main character here is Detective Ellis. This main character takes some time to get to know, as this character has a somewhat subtle way of getting into cases. Introverted, but brilliant it turns out. The plot in the miniseries also requires some of us who are watching. There are many people involved in the network surrounding the crime that has been committed. So you have to pay close attention here, but it's definitely worth it.

In other words, we've got a possible new crime hero, and hope for more seasons of this.

DCI Ellis is teamed up with DS Harper to investigate failing Police operations, after a frosty introduction, the pair discover a common ground, and prove to be a formidable force.

We all know what Channel Five dramas can be like, from the torture of Anne Boleyn, to the high quality of Dalgliesh, so you can be forgiven for having moderate expectations. This is one of the channel's best offerings.

Will we ever get shows as good as Endeavour, Morse, Vera, Foyle's War etc, the hunt goes on, Ellis isn't on those levels, but it's still a quality drama. I can see this running for some time.

Sharon D Clarke is excellent as the title character, she possesses a lot of presence and charisma, I adore her delivery. Harper grew on me as time went on, the pair work so well together.

Channel Five, just one suggestion, move it to a Sunday night, as this is perfect Sunday evening viewing.

8/10.

I'm surprised over the many negative reviews and comments about the "angry black woman," but I can forgive the reviewers, because this is exactly how I felt when I first watched Vera. She was a grumpy old woman, always yelling at her staff. Now, after many years, I'm addicted. If you like detectives in the style of Vera, Van der Valk, a super grumpy smart detectives with lots of quirks and sly humor, you'll like this show.... it has a lot of similarities. Give it a chance, I think it will grow on us.

Every season I worry that Vera will be canceled. She is in every scene, and given her age this could be challenging. Wish they would look to Slow Horses and give all the very interesting, smart, secondary characters more screen time.

Ellis has strong lead characters and complicated mysteries. I have seen every murder mystery I can get my hands on and I know the formula, and Ellis refreshingly does not follow a formula. I didn't guess the endings, and it didn't have the exact same usual suspects who turn up on every series. It has already been great watching Ellis and Harper's characters develop over just three episodes. Hopefully the first three will lead to another season.

Sharon D. Clarke's work is new to me, as I'm not British or a theater fan, but I'm looking through her filmography to find episodes of other shows she's been on.

A fantastic actress and an excellent actor who give life to two memorable characters, with an interesting chemistry together.

Ellis has an instinctive knack for placing empathy in the right places as well as glaring disdainfully at awful people (before it is clear they are). She is sent as a parachute saviour to lead back to the right track procedural investigations going downhill. Each episode, a different case in a different police station. Sometimes, they have to deal with corrupt officers or detectives. Sometimes, she encourages just inefficient people.

Characterisation is remarkable. Both Ellis and the DS are well recreated as nuanced, credible people. Direction is fine. But the scripts are, probably, the poorest side.

If they got better writers and the cases themselves were less circumvoluted or far-fetched, this show could grow into a long-lasting success. Just improve the writing side and I foresee a new Vera.