Bancroft

I decided to watch this after reading a very negative review from someone who seems to have a hangup about women playing lead parts in crime series. Personally I found the first episode excellent - good story line, strong characters, highly competent acting, what's not to like?

Although the last episode became increasingly predictable, overall a very enjoyable series. Good acting and plot - well above average. How some of those reality programmes get prime time on the main ITV channel over this is beyond me.

I read that this show was switched from ITV Encore to mainstream ITV, and on paper it has all the makings of a quality drama. It certainly has its good points, it's a strong script, it has some really strong production values, and most of all Sarah Parish is commanding from start to finish, dare I say she stands head and shoulders above everyone, and gives a truly strong performance.

I'm not shocked to read through some of the negative reviews, I can see how it could have not appealed to some, the ending was a little bit of a non event, but I'm sure the door is open for a second series. The character of Bancroft is intriguing, arguably the most manipulative woman on screen in 2017, was there anyone she didn't use to cover her tracks?

Strong performances from Faye Marsay and Amara Karan also, it was somehow missing a little something, not sure I can see Lee Boardman as a Police Man, he has to be a bad guy, but all in all I think Bancroft was quite gripping. 7/10

Hell hath no fury as a psycho cop! Enjoy the ride and try to ignore plot holes galore and a shallow script. Parish holds the screen with her Bisexual demeanor, helped by the paucity of male characters to rein her in. We know she's going to get her comeuppance in the end and sorta wish she didn't.

I had to review this after reading such a negative opinion. I watched the first episode with 4 other friends and we were all totally hooked. So much so that we continued to follow through, guessing only at the outcome. None of us predicted the final twists and that was what held our interest. The series was refreshingly different and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Good strong acting.