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The Irrational

  • TV Series
  • 2023–2025
  • TV-14
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
6.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,836
30
The Irrational (2023)
"The Irrational" Premieres Monday September 25 at 10/9c on NBC
Play trailer1:35
41 Videos
33 Photos
Psychological DramaDramaThriller

Alec Mercer is a world-renowned behavioral scientist who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unex... Read allAlec Mercer is a world-renowned behavioral scientist who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unexpected approach to understanding human behavior.Alec Mercer is a world-renowned behavioral scientist who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unexpected approach to understanding human behavior.

  • Creator
    • Arika Lisanne Mittman
  • Stars
    • Jesse L. Martin
    • Maahra Hill
    • Travina Springer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    6.7K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,836
    30
    • Creator
      • Arika Lisanne Mittman
    • Stars
      • Jesse L. Martin
      • Maahra Hill
      • Travina Springer
    • 86User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Episodes29

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos41

    The Irrational: The Power Of Free
    Clip 1:00
    The Irrational: The Power Of Free
    The Irrational: Unintended Consequences
    Clip 1:11
    The Irrational: Unintended Consequences
    The Irrational: Unintended Consequences
    Clip 1:11
    The Irrational: Unintended Consequences
    The Irrational: Professor Mercer Fakes A Favor To Befriend Victim's Ex
    Clip 2:45
    The Irrational: Professor Mercer Fakes A Favor To Befriend Victim's Ex
    The Irrational: We See And Hear What We Want To See And Hear
    Clip 1:15
    The Irrational: We See And Hear What We Want To See And Hear
    The Irrational: A Revenge Experiment's Results Hit Home
    Clip 3:05
    The Irrational: A Revenge Experiment's Results Hit Home
    The Irrational: Can Mercer Read The Body Language Of A Murderer?
    Clip 2:46
    The Irrational: Can Mercer Read The Body Language Of A Murderer?

    Photos32

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Jesse L. Martin
    Jesse L. Martin
    • Alec Mercer
    • 2023–2025
    Maahra Hill
    Maahra Hill
    • Marisa Clark…
    • 2023–2025
    Travina Springer
    Travina Springer
    • Kylie Mercer…
    • 2023–2025
    Molly Kunz
    Molly Kunz
    • Phoebe Duncan…
    • 2023–2025
    Arash DeMaxi
    Arash DeMaxi
    • Rizwan Asadi…
    • 2023–2025
    Karen David
    Karen David
    • Rose Dinshaw
    • 2023–2025
    Max Lloyd-Jones
    Max Lloyd-Jones
    • Simon Wylton
    • 2024–2025
    Garfield Wilson
    Garfield Wilson
    • Agent Quinn
    • 2024–2025
    Brian King
    Brian King
    • Jace Richards
    • 2023–2024
    Fritzy-Klevans Destine
    Fritzy-Klevans Destine
    • Cameron 'Cam' Washington
    • 2025
    Briana Buckmaster
    Briana Buckmaster
    • Raina Allen
    • 2024–2025
    Ben Cotton
    Ben Cotton
    • Wes Banning
    • 2023–2024
    Jennifer Lines
    Jennifer Lines
    • Rachel Myers…
    • 2024
    Garry Chalk
    Garry Chalk
    • Bob…
    • 2023–2024
    Christina Lewall
    Christina Lewall
    • FBI Tech…
    • 2024–2025
    Joy-Ann Reid
    Joy-Ann Reid
    • Joy-Ann Reid
    • 2023–2024
    Miles Mussenden
    Miles Mussenden
    • Sam Brown
    • 2024–2025
    James Tupper
    James Tupper
    • Sanford
    • 2024
    • Creator
      • Arika Lisanne Mittman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews86

    7.06.7K
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    Featured reviews

    8MiloSuperSpesh

    Episode 1 / pilot review

    It's a standard police procedural case of the week, thin season plot deal.

    Jessie of flash fame, plays it straight, this role is a bit different from his joe cop / dad / humble guy.

    It's ticking all the boxes of classic tropes and cliches, nothing really new or special but it's off to a good start for watchable police drama that isn't cringe or too dumb.

    I would compare this show to will trent with out the darker tone, it's light enough not to be icky but tackles the psycological angle over the tried and tested police / law enforcement.

    It's probably could be linked to the other / many non police consultant solves crime shows, but this is show isn't white washed it's taking the minority / black / coloured route.

    Review stuff : well acted, well directed, writting is acceptable ( run of the mill ). Edited well, and smooth transitions.
    6bigcatdaddio

    Less Law & Order, more The Flash

    The first few episodes made the show seem compelling, but by episode 4, the show started to become less adult focused and more cartoony. The characters seemed to be slowly becoming flat, yet stereotypical and the writing seems to increasingly insult my intelligence with each successive episode. Initially I expected this to be a bit more of an Americanized and more exciting, stylized version of a Professor T. Certainly, casting the charismatic Jesse Martin in this role could more than pull that off. However the supporting characters are exaggerated and the side story arcs feel like time fillers. This is really a shame - I was really excited for this series.
    5Xavier_Stone

    Average. Dan Ariely review references don't help.

    It's predictable, simple and somewhat interesting. The expected jokes and one liners about cops and murder cases done in a light and cheery atmosphere perfectly suited for a television audience.

    The characters and actors are generally competent in portraying the subject matter and the baddies are of the usual made for tv genre.

    This is the show that could go on for 2-3 seasons, letting out tidbits every now and then in order to solve an underlying case involving the main character. Overall it's just an average show, with no shocking or big reveals.

    It is not serious enough of a cop show to hold my interest and this reminds me of the series Unforgettable with a woman and a her photographic memory. The interesting bits just are not enough to carry the entire show.

    5/10 as there is little else to go on besides the main character and his story. A one and done for me.

    Please don't mention Dan Ariely in your reviews about subjects involving psychology. He is a confirmed fraud, multiple times, with none of his experiments being repeatable. I was a fan; but who knew that in order to have counterintuitive experiment results you had to fudge all the data????
    6TaxDayBaby58

    Kinda Interesting but also Corny

    I was excited to start watching this new show as the preview clips were pretty good. It started out fine but halfway through seemed to be very predictable as far as the plot goes. Was nice to see Lauren Holly in it but she obviously looks different with all the work she has had.

    I was really liking it until the scene where killer and he were outside chatting at their vehicles. When the guy pulled out the gun - it was a bit strange because he hadn't yet been accused. Then they drive around and get in a car crash? I mean c'mon, that's the best the writers could do? I'll watch next episode and see.
    7atlasmb

    Entertaining And Educational

    Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) teaches and does research in Behavioral Science at Wylton University. He is sometimes called in to consult with law enforcement when they need his professional talents.

    This show has the bones of a police procedural, but it is more than that. Mercer can help solve cases because he is observant and he understands human psychology. But he also deals with criminals in hostage situations or any time the police think an understanding of human psychology might help in dealing with a crisis. Because local government officials know of him, he may also be used behind the scenes in delicate situations where public relations are top priority.

    But one of the most interesting facets of this series is that Mercer explains the psychology behind his decisions, often citing well-known behavioral experiments. And he can use his academic resources to help conduct his own experiments to test theories.

    Jesse L. Martin is perfecting suited to this role. And he is surrounded by a good cast. The first two episodes were about interesting cases, but viewers who like learning about human psychology may enjoy this series most.

    Renewed, Canceled, or Ending?

    Renewed, Canceled, or Ending?

    Check out our list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show made the cut.
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The main character, Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) is based on the real-life Duke University psychology and behavioral economics professor Dan Ariely. Part of Ariely's fame has come from his research into the psychological principles behind dishonesty, including in his book "The Honest Truth about Dishonesty", a documentary, "(Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies", and many academic papers. However, in 2021, a 2012 paper coauthored by Ariely and several others and purporting to study issues of dishonesty was itself retracted due to evidence that the data in it was falsified. The second episode of "The Irrational" nods to and then dismisses this controversy: a crusading investigative reporter who had previously been skeptical of Mercer's methodology (formerly calling it "pop culture junk science") comes to him for help, explaining that when she further investigated his work, she found it "unimpeachable."
    • Quotes

      Alec Mercer: Memory is the greatest con man of human nature.

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ірраціональний
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Simon-Binx Productions
      • Samuel Baum Productions
      • Off the Cliff Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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