Sexy Beast

I was so excited when I happened to stumble upon this series. I love the film and didn't even know that a prequel series was in existence until today. I always wondered what the characters got up to when they were younger.

The actor for Gal is excellent. The accent is a bit off but otherwise he's perfect. The actor for Don channels him well, he's a violent nutter but not yet quite the absolute beast that he ends up becoming. The casting for Aitch seems okay but he looks more like Teddy Bass than the actual bloke playing him. I didn't much like the actor for Teddy, he had the mannerisms down well and the voice but I thought his look was all wrong. The actor looks nothing like Ian Mcshane and I always imagined Teddy being more handsome than that when he was younger (nothing against the man but his very tiny mouth is distracting). I thought the actress playing Deedee was good but they should have given her contacts to get Amanda Redman's bright blue eyes.

I enjoyed the first episode, even the fan service of lines being ripped directly from the film. I think if the writers would have copied just one more line though it would have moved into corny territory.

The cinematography was decent, the acting was intentionally hammy in places but overall good, plenty of swearing and violence with a bit of comedy thrown in and as another reviewer wrote above, it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Recommended if you enjoy British gangster films or crime flicks in general.

The show grew on me as the episodes and story got flowing. A few things made no sense and the double cross is always on in this saga. IF you haven't seen the movie, you don't need to understand the plot here. The movie is solid setup to the movie characters. It's all classic gangster stuff. If you don't like fights, hot women, shootings, and crazy characters, this isn't the show for you. The violence is there, not gratuitous but it's a daily part of their world. Some amazing acting here. It's really a story about using others for your own needs.

It sets up the movie moments. Tamsin Grieg is brilliant as the controlling sister. Best part of the series is her manipulation. Sarah Greene, meh...just not voluptuous, sexy nor pretty enough to be the porn star. They dress her up but she doesn't have body to pull off the role. Sarah, sure she can act but not believable. It would have been better if she and Eliza Bennet has switched roles. Eliza is solid as the girlfriend lost in the clouds and can't see that Gal's a pretty bad boy. Eliza look more the DeeDee of the movie.

Stephen Moyer is another good ruthless guy who is out to make his move to the top using Gal and Don.

Our anti-hero Gal (James McArdle) just preens throughout...tough to cheer for his success. Way too much smiling and hair. Emun is brilliant as pycho Don. You know where all the capers are heading to set up the movie. It's a solid show to enjoy. I wouldn't even mind a 2nd of this.

What happens when you take the movie Sexy Beast and inject it with the humour of Lock Stock and the violence of Scum, you get Sexy Beast the TV series, it's an absolute rip roar of a show, story is on point, location is on point and the cast is absolutely on point!

Emun Elliott's performance as Don Logan is as scary as ever and James McArdle is literally channelling Ray Winstone, a stellar performance considering the size of the shoes he's filling, the rest of the cast are fantastic as well, Sarah Greene as Deedee has really brought another dimension to her character and Stephen Moyer is perfect as Teddy Bass not to mention the new addition with Tamsin Greig as Don's sister, I never thought there could be a character more menacing than Don but the apple does not fall far from the tree here.

This is one of those shows that's clearly flying under the radar and I'm not sure what's going on with the ratings but it's an easy 8 out 10 for me, well worth a watch!

If you've not started this yet, and not watched the film, I'd suggest watch the film. When I heard they were making a show I thought leave it out. I watched the trailer for the show and thought OK, I'll give it go. I must say it's pretty damn good, it's so much fun and a right laugh. I love the characters, and as other reviewers have said Gal and Don are excellent. In the film you get 'the full fat' version of Don, in this he's a kind of skinny latte version, but giggle so much knowing what he becomes. Tamsin Greig who plays Cecilia is another stand out, her character is wonderful, I love her and she loves dropping the C Bomb. Personally all the characters are fun and it's a show, like Slow Horses that doesn't take itself too seriously. I'm thoroughly enjoying this show, especially as there's not much on barring True Detective and Masters of the Air that I watch. As for the low reviews, they can judge of course, the best critic is yourself, it doesn't float their boat, but please don't let that put you off. If you love British humour, the C Bomb dropping every episode and the so so violent scenes, I trust this will float your boat. A solid 8/10 from me or your money back.

I love the original and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Seeing the young characters and picking up on how they became the characters in film is a joy to watch. Every actor is excellent, however it to a while to fully appreciate Gal but it happened. It's funny, brutal and why the negatives I honestly don't know. Take it for what it is, it's not the film doesn't try to be, just enjoy it. The sound track is superb, the cars, Don's sister is amazing. I've seen a lot lot worse, Teddy Bass is on par with Lovejoy himself and you see him how he really is, not just a bit part. Once your a few episodes in you won't be disappointed.