User reviews

You could tell after watching this for a bit that it was penned by Anthony Horowitz, it's wonderfully creative, energetic and loaded with humour, he's a terrific writer.

It's two young stars, Mark Strepan and Ben Tavassoli are excellent, they both bring heaps of exuberance to the show. Some great experienced actors, Mark Addy, Anna Chancellor and Dorian Lough, all add something special, it's a great character driven series.

On the whole the quality of each episode is very good, the opening part I have to say was outstanding, it worked as a great hook. There's enough mileage for more episodes, I'm just not sure we'll get more.

Very good, very watchable. 8/10.

'New Blood' is a lively new television drama, about a pair of young, somewhat reckless and egoistical men who work respectively for the police and the Serious Fraud Office, who find themselves inadvertently working together on a series of cases, in defiance of their bosses and any common sense. The plots are a little silly, to be honest, offering a simplified vision of how the world works, and the programme's style uses lots of sped-up footage, look-aheads and flashbacks, but it's nicely paced and there's some merit in the portrait of a pair of young Londoners, trying to enjoy their lives and get ahead in the world. It's not exactly deep, but it's certainly not boring. The formula may get tired if there are subsequent series; but the first series at least has been entertaining and fun.

In this era of hardly ever being able to turn on almost any television programme be it drama,comedy,even daytime shows such as This Morning and Loose Women without sex the main focus to get attention then I'm afraid I'm going to be in a sad minority of really enjoying something that is obviously not to be taken seriously but nonetheless has entertainment enough in the dynamics between two very different,very handsome guys who are neither full of ego or muscle....simply gradually working toward a friendship that was not easily attained at first but is definitely growing because of their intertwining adventures bringing them both into both dangerous and also at times,hilarious predicaments.

I have to impress upon anyone taking time to read my review that I'm VERY far from being a prude....I've watched and been enthralled with the entire six series of GOT....loved Breaking Bad...currently watching House of Cards and Versailles...adored Happy Valley,Line of Duty et al.

However,I have mind enough to recognise a wonderful bit of escapism and bromance which is watchable by pretty much anyone without causing offence and embarrassment if a family settle down for an evening together; let's face it,that is becoming increasingly difficult now.

Surely there is room enough with all the many,many channels available and online viewing,too to make the odd hour available for some outlandish,fun,attractive guys bringing smiles and heartwarming moments during their adventures!

If I'm alone in this,I really don't mind.....but I hope that by some magic both actors and others who genuinely agree with me might just read this and nod their heads even if only in quiet acceptance!

What's not to like??! Two handsome,utterly likable men get into scrapes during their investigations and are gradually,grudgingly forming a friendship that is obviously going to be cemented eventually.

One has twinkling eyes and a truly engaging,winning smile...the other,dark brown serious eyes,the kindest of hearts and intelligence that more than aids in every case.

Both more or less pretend to themselves they're unsure of the other,especially Rash...but in truth they are so drawn in on every investigation that it all intrudes upon their personal lives,too.

A great little series and leaves you feeling good. That means success so I suppose it also means the death knell once the series finishes.....not hard enough,violent enough,"realistic" enough. Ho hum........

I have to say this new series is refreshingly different in the way in which it is filmed. Very quirky, fast, day to night scenes of London and the accompanying music was great. I also LOVE the opening song, Rag 'n Bone Man by Wolves. Gutsy, bluesy heavy, excellent choice. The two actors who take much of the lead, Mark Strepan and Ben Tavassoli are not only lovely to look at, they are also great at what they do and their developing relationship is at times funny and touching and at times serious and convincing. I love them! The first series focuses on a murder which happened in India some years previously. The two cops have to seek a way to work together to find out the connection between what happened in India and what has happened to several people, now dead in London in the present date. All is intricately bound up in a pharmaceutical war between two companies. I think it's a great series and I would not be surprised if it doesn't gather a young following, a bit like Being Human, it has the same unique feel about it. Well done BBC!

Started off great then became more and more implausible with a ridiculous ending. Too bad - could have been good.

Excellent stories, quirky, believable characters, and political commentary that is subtle, not overbearing.

Ben Tavassoli and Mark Strepan are two up and coming actors to be watched. They are excellent as the young, fledgling investigators constantly getting into hazardous personal and professional predicaments.

The intertwining of Police and SFO investigations though contrived to fabricate the connected investigations are seamlessly intermingled with skillful screen writing and direction.

Overall, excellent acting, direction, and screen writing.

This series starts out nicely as a serious mystery about a medical test gone very badly and participants start turning up dead 6 years later. But for some reason the writers made the series into a semi-comedy similar to Murder She Wrote and The Thin Man series. WHY?? I deleted this show from my watch list during episode 3.

I cannot understand the negative comments. Love it. Love the plot, the characters, utterly in love with both of them. It really is just Top quality drama. Also hilarious though. Love the view it gives you of London life. LOVE THE TITLE MUSIC. Such an interesting concept, real new take on the classic police drama concept. The bromance is real and you will completely invest in the characters. Beautifullt shows a very dark and real side to policing today, with companies and international fronts being used to mask very instinct driven crime. Not unnecessary violence or gore. Came to it quite late,now utterly heartbroken that the series is finished. praying for series 2!!!! Cannot suggest it enough.

But let down by inaccurate and comical police investigation. Incredibly inaccurate which spoils it for those of us who are experienced in police investigation

Eagerly waiting for S2 but have not heard anything? I found the show to be well acted, intelligent, good comedy moments, and it kept my attention.

where is Series 2 ???????????

Anthony Horowitz is a screenwriter whose series and films I have a tendency to follow - and they are all catchy, even if not too profound... True, they include clichés and scenes for the sake of thrill and pace, but I do not watch them as documentaries or as the depiction of real cases anyway. There was an inside out chemistry between the two main characters (although the actors were unknown to me), pleasantly supported by renowned "older" actors (Mark Addy and Anna Chancellor, above all).

Thus, New Blood is a nice watch, yet "only" 7 points from me as I have enjoyed other works by Horowitz more (Alex Rider, Foyle's War, Magpie Murders), where the amount of ease and frivolousness is less. On the other hand, the target audience of this Series is evidently younger generation than me.

I've been a fan of A. Horowitz for years, seeking out his TV shows (Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War, Murder in Mind, others) and reading his books (Magpie Murders, Silk, Moriarty etc.). I'm a little disappointed that this show relied on so many clichés, without even an ironic wink that they were clichés. It felt like a weak buddy movie from the 1980s. The plots were imaginative--implausible but still entertaining and fine for television crime. The villains, though, were a little too diabolical. The mastermind in case 1, for example, and the two female contract killers. Perhaps this show was a little bit influenced by Horowitz's young adult fiction or is actually intended for adolescents? It's not as intelligent or mature as some of his other work.

This series moves quickly and the editing cuts between angles so paying attention is important. Blink and you might miss an important detail. The main characters are engaging and they work well together. I just love smart detective series, and this show is one of them

This new series is totally different to many of the dour and depressing TV productions usually shown. With a visually stunning production (superb photography of London) and a marvellous score, it has two young leads - Ben Tavassoli and Mark Strepan - who are especially convincing in their parts whilst the talented Mark Addy and other wonderful character actors complete the excellent cast. Both Tavassoil and Strepan show great potential and I look forward to seeing them in future productions.

The stories are logical and relevant to today's world and show a quite different aspect to the usual cop drama.

I can understand why it would attract a young audience but we are already grandparents and thoroughly enjoyed it (on cable TV in the Middle East). I really hope that the BBC will consider continuing this series which has excellent potential.

A very good comedic drama from Britain. Entertaining scripts delivered by a talented cast all around, and including one of my favorite actors for many years, Mark Addy.

While having the rich and powerful be the heavy is nothing new, it does seem to be presented in a somewhat novel way by Mr. Horowitz and his writers. Although government corruption always seems to lurk in the corners, the rich and powerful are, in fact, afraid being discovered by the government.

The only flaw that is apparent to me is the (by now) standard 'bright new people being pushed down' by their more experienced counterparts. Also, the situations the two lead characters find themselves in are always impossible to get out of, yet to no one's surprise, they do. It's been done over and over on both US and British TV. As I am no screenwriter, perhaps it's necessary, as there are only so many alternatives. Nevertheless, the predictability of the situations mentioned are the only downside to the series.

I AM surprised this didn't last longer than one season, as the quality of the acting and writing certainly deserved it, and there were several hints in the final episode that seemed to indicate the writers thought there would be more. A shame there wasn't.

Stumbled upon this while recovering from a broken ankle and unable to go out anywhere. Day time television is terrible - and with no internet or alternative I was saved by ABC putting on something that doesn't assume you are stupid in the day time. This series totally got me in.

Intelligent - a bit spooky and fast moving. I need to know if there is another series coming as I want to know what happens to Rash and Stefan in their new apartment and what exactly that pharmaceutical company is up to!

Re-run is available on Netflix for those that missed it. I've no idea why there hasn't been a second series. I'm very disappointed about that.

I enjoyed this show. Good crime stories and not too dark. Hoping for a season 2.

Just finished watching the last episode and only hope they produce more. For those who are looking for realism and credible plot lines do not go here - it has the same sort of quirky humour that made Hustle such a blast. You have two apprentices - one a detective the other with the serious fraud squad. Competitive as all hell and they seem to constantly find themselves investigating the same people. Off course it is not believable but it is an enjoyable hour of pure fantasy, escapism and as Tolkien said anyone who objects to escapism must be a jailer. So suspend disbelief, sit back and enjoy; you will find that every turn and twist is predictable but if you enjoyed Hustle or New tricks you will enjoy this too.

There has been such a glut of violent, seedy, in-your-face, downright depressing shows that this would come across as too mild for a lot of viewers . That is what I liked about this series. If you want a lot of swearing, gore , sex and drug influence stick with GOT or the many prison shows. This series is refreshing in not having any of those elements whilst still having enough story and character to be interesting and enjoyable. I am hoping there will be a series 2.

I am surprised that, so far, no reviewer has brought up the show's remarkable similarity to the popular, old American series "Psych". The style, the direction, the quick cut/slow motion/high speed editing techniques, the type of humour, the wild stunts, the plausible and implausible situations, the plots and the unusual, yet strong, camaraderie between the two main characters. One cocky and gregarious, the other more reserved and reluctant but just as impulsive underneath. They compete with and bounce off each other, both with a dogged determination to expose the 'bad guys' and bring them to justice... albeit within a mixture of real and comic book action.

They make intelligent connections then pursue them in a reckless and impetuous manner. And, in the case of "New Blood", rarely with the approval of their respective bosses. Even their racial combination is the British equivalent of an American white and black guy team.

Having said all this, the show is upbeat, exciting and entertaining in it's own right, with the added attraction to a younger audience of two young, handsome, 'rookie' leads who think they know it all, feel no real need to follow protocol or report to their bosses, and don't really take responsibility for their actions.

Stefan Kowolski (Mark Strepan), a Polish native who had to drop out of University due to a lack of funds and was given a life-changing opportunity to work for the Serious Fraud Office, thinks everything is an exciting game to have fun with whereas Rash Sayyad (Ben Tavassoli), whose family was granted British refugee status after his police officer father was killed in the revolution in Iran, desperately wants to fulfill his life-long ambition to become a detective. Although graduating top of his class, so far, his attempts to retain the coveted trainee detective constable position have been thwarted by his know it all, forthright attitude and his lack of deference towards his superiors and fellow officers. This six month trial posting may be his last chance.

The premise of Case 1 is a great one. They first meet at a bike race and childishly compete with each other to win. Their silly antics slow them down and neither wins. Stefan is immediately attracted to Rash's sister and the feeling seems mutual. This further upsets Rash. As fate would have it, they find themselves thrown together while investigating the same case from their different perspectives.

Thus begins their unlikely, quasi-competitive friendship which grows stronger and deeper the more they coincide through work and the dangerous capers they undertake together. Very much a high school vibe.

The series has exceptional production values and must have had a huge budget. The locations, the multiple real and hired background actors, the fabulous production & costume design, the costumes, sets, props and ultimately the stunts must have cost a small fortune.

What lets the series down a notch is the acting of the two lead actors and the repetition of everything by "Case 3". There was wisdom in only making one season.

The first case had a great premise and it was fun getting to know the two lead actors. Their antics and expressions were fresh and endearing but Rash's overacting, limited and often totally inappropriate facial expressions and body language quickly became a little annoying. Stefan's enthusiasm and attitude bordered on obnoxious at times yet they were both still entertaining when excitedly collaborating.

Rash would often roll his eyes and shift in his chair when being told off and had a great "hang dog" act while half-heartedly apologizing to his superiors. Stefan was genuinely more crushed when reprimanded but soon bounced back when given a new task to perform. He had to be reminded to take it seriously since it all seems like a fun video game to him. He was confident he would always keep his job whereas Rash, although confident in his ability, was resigned to failure and the probability of losing his.

Since none of it was realistic, allowances could be made, short-term, and they were certainly surrounded by an impressive cast. The two senior police detectives (Dorian Law and Mark Addy) were excellent in their well-written roles and I'm glad it played out the way it did. The head of Stefan's company (Anna Chancellor) is always a brilliant actress in all her roles. Can't go wrong with actors like Matt Bardock and Mark Bonnar playing bad guys.

Impressive writing and well-rounded characters balanced out the cartoon ones and the direction was top notch.

However, I did think the likelihood of Stefan being allowed into the 'inner sanctum' of the SFO dressed like an impoverished student with only one set of clothing was OTT. Only when he came to work with a black eye was a comment made by the head of the company and he was sent home. I suppose it was vaguely acceptable given his continuing 'undercover' role play.

It was refreshing not to have any real violence or sex in the series and Stefan and Leila's flirtatious scenes were sweet and believable. Both guys had hearts of gold too.

Cases 2 & 3 were becoming more like a Marvel comic each time. The coincidence of yet another overlapping investigation. The almost comedic edge to the genuinely vicious hired killer in Case 2. The two stylized hired killers (echoing the two women in Case 1) shooting off multiple rounds of ammunition at close range yet missing every time. The top bosses of multimillion pound corporations allowing themselves to be interrogated by these rookies (especially the way they were dressed and presented themselves) Their escalating impossible escapes and their almost complete disappearance from their workplaces was stretching the whole concept a little too thin.

But still a refreshing, lighthearted, entertaining limited series and a fun watch a la "Psych" (which I enjoyed every season of).

I love the friendship between the characters! Also, the look, style, script and acting was excellent. I discovered this on Netflix, hoping for season 2.