keith-618

It has to be said that the original series was a 9+ out of 10 experience. It was a great piece of writing about the continuing effects of the 1980s miner strike many years later. James Graham grew up in the area so his memories give the drama an authenticity that is rare in TV drama. The casting was terrific and David Morrissey was impressive in the lead role.

But on to the follow up. I can picture the conversation: the BBC call James Graham and say "We need a season 2 for Sherwood and we'd like to keep all the original cast." James's reply would have to be "Not really, it was a one off!" However, it seems an offer was made that Graham couldn't refuse and a deal was done. So we get not only a second series but one featuring almost all the cast of the first season. So does it work? Of course not. It feels contrived and forced. The coincidences are implausible and the drama is severely compromised as a result. James Graham should feel ashamed of taking the fee and delivering something so far below the standard of the original. It has to be said though that the casting and direction are faultless. There isn't a poor performance in the second series - David Harewood in a small part and Stephen Dillane cast wonderfully against type. David Morrissey is again terrific especially in scenes with Lesley Manville but the stand out casting is Monica Dolan. What a wonderful actress; she's like a chameleon. This character is miles away from Jo Hamilton in Mr Bate v the PO, The Thief, his Wife and the Canoe and even Rosemary West in Appropriate Adult but her performance is captivating.

So it's worth it for the acting and scattered sections of moving writing. But overall it's about 6/10 and the plotting is a travesty.

I really liked this. To be honest in many ways it's a standard police procedural: A female police sergeant given an important job and given a geeky male police constable as an assistant. (She's expected to fail but we suspect she won't.) Three 90 min episodes to find the murderer. But the writing is sharp, modern and witty. The locations (St Andrews, Scotland) are stunning. But the best part is the casting. Really good young actors who I wasn't familiar with. Lauren Lyle is terrific as Karen Pirie and Chris Jenks is great as Jason, her sidekick. The combination of their performances and the sharp dialogue made me laugh out loud more than once. Altogether a great ensemble cast and good direction. It's not fast and furious but you really get to know and like the characters.