Art Detectives arrives as another glossy British crime procedural, and over six episodes it proves to be... fine. Not groundbreaking, not unwatchable - just fine. It's a series that sets its bar at "competent Sunday night drama" and never really tries to vault higher.
Stephen Moyer, a familiar face to many, does much of the heavy lifting. His DI Palmer has flashes of wit and weariness, and while the scripts don't give him enough depth, he brings enough gravitas to make the role stick. Opposite him, Nina Singh's DS Malik feels like a missed opportunity. She's capable, likeable, but too often relegated to the background when she could have brought sharper edges or stronger emotional stakes.
The episodic cases range from mildly intriguing to borderline silly. None are terrible, but few linger once the credits roll. Direction is steady, pacing rarely drags, and production polish makes it an easy watch. Yet there's a lack of ambition here: no attempt to reinvent the genre, nor to provide the kind of grit or risk that makes a crime drama truly stand out.
By Ep 6, the verdict is clear: this is comfort viewing. It's pleasant enough to pass the time, competently acted, and never offensive to the genre. But for anyone hoping for the next Unforgotten or Happy Valley, this simply isn't it.
A 6.5/10 feels generous but fair... Art Detectives is solid, safe, and entirely average.
