The Level

Just watched this on Acorn, excellent plot with many twists. The quality of acting we have come to expect from a British production. Hope there is a sequel in the pipeline

The Level is yet another crime drama from the UK. That's not a bad thing in itself but I do feel, at times, they start to run short of ideas and The Level is a case in question.

Firstly lets look at the good. Its predictably well acted, directed and ably creates an atmosphere of rising tension, that fits well with the series overriding plot.

The bad is reflected in the fact that the whole notion, is a little far fetched. The proposition of a cop having a personal link with an individual from a questionable, legal background is fine. Whats inexplicable are the cops actions after initial events unfold. Whilst most people would be keeping a low profile, maybe even resigning or transferring to stay off the radar, she wades into an investigation that stands to expose her. Of course, this is the at the heart of the story but it is in my opinion "weak tea" and more than a little implausible.

That's not to say this series is not watchable. It is for the most part but I found it stretched my credulity more than a little. Six out of ten from me.

...and patterns repeat and repeat, and the story adds a few too many flaws, even an excellently performed show like this falls down into nothingness. That's what happened here. But worth watching if you have no better thing to do.

I don't think any fan of the crime drama genre can say that the last few years haven't produced some truly high quality productions. Foolishly I didn't watch The Level during its original run, as I thought it looked run of the mill, I was wrong, and whilst I wouldn't deem it a classic, I would have to say it's very good at least. The acting is exceptional, the characters are engaging, and of course it's very well produced, but the key element for me, has to be the writing, it's so incredibly good, there are multiple twists and turns, and half way through you're left wondering as to who are the good and bad guys, so the writing is so clever, that nothing's particularly black or white.

Nancy is a great, complex character, she's sincere and very likeable, Karla Crome is terrific throughout, a shame for her no second series happened, as she could definitely have done more with that character. Also very good are Amanda Burton, Joe Absolom, Noel Clarke and Laura Haddock. I was so glad to see Philip Glenister in the cast list, but in all honesty he could have been anyone, and was shamefully underused.

Intriguing from start to finish, this is a very high quality series. 8/10

This is the second time I have seen your comment on the "Trevor Eve" school of a acting, who are you to cast such aspersions on what is a perfectly reasonable, fairly ordinary crime series which I for one enjoyed. This pompous attitude has no place in serious reviews and simply reflects the reviewers limited and jaundiced views, try to be a little more genuine and remember you are reviewing for others not your self centred self. There is a mass market out there that needs this kind of entertainment what do you think Shakespeare was doing when he was writing his plays? He wanted people to come and see them and not pontificate from so low level of understanding as to what it was all about. Suggest you chill out but you seem to be one of those serial reviewers who believe people might take you seriously well get over it they don't.