The Red King

Not a bad creepy folk horror set on a Welsh island complete with weird rituals, cults and masks. Some parts of the script are pretty ropey but the main problem is the lead actress. Where the rest of the cast are good-servicable, the lead actress/detective is so wooden it's distracting. It's like she walked in off the street and each of her scenes were done in one take! This does lead to some unintentionally funny scenes though.

Having said that, I quite enjoyed it, it's fun and keeps you guessing and there aren't really any "filler episodes" where not much happens which seems to occur in a a lot of series these days.

Give it a go if your in the mood for a creepy, british whodunnit.

"The Red King" emerges as a genre-defying series that intricately weaves elements of traditional police procedural with the eerie undertones of cult classics like "The Wicker Man." Set against the backdrop of a secluded Welsh island, the narrative follows Sergeant Grace, portrayed with compelling depth by Anjli Mohindra. Her character, a whistleblower ostracized from her previous post, finds herself grappling with the island's insular and mystifying ethos.

The series expertly employs a slow-burn narrative approach, reminiscent of "Midsomer Murders," yet infused with a palpable tension akin to "Hot Fuzz." This pacing allows the mysterious and slightly grotesque local customs to unfold with a rhythm that entices the viewer into its increasingly opaque world. The cinematography reinforces this mood, capturing the stark beauty of the Welsh landscape while accentuating the isolation that envelops Grace.

Supporting performances, particularly by James Bamford as Constable Owen, offer a nuanced counterbalance to Mohindra's intensity, enriching the dynamic between the outsider law enforcement and the wary local populace. The plot thickens around the disappearance of a local boy, unraveling over episodes peppered with subtle hints of gore and ritual, culminating in a finale that challenges the viewer's moral compass.

"The Red King" also deftly incorporates thematic elements of folklore and myth, portraying the local population's adherence to a cryptic cult. This motif is visualized through the use of symbolic and unsettling mask imagery, which serves as a constant reminder of the community's arcane secrets. The narrative complexity is further enhanced by the script's sharp dialogue and the characters' ambiguous moral alignments, creating a tapestry rich with thematic depth.

In sum, "The Red King" stands out as a meticulously crafted series that blends crime-solving with psychological horror, offering a fresh take on the detective genre. Its ability to maintain suspense while slowly peeling back layers of character and plot invites comparisons to the slow, menacing unravel of a classic Hitchcock thriller. For aficionados of finely tuned suspense and folklore-infused narratives, "The Red King" promises a uniquely haunting viewing experience.

The set-up resembles 1973 British folk horror film The Wicker Man. But by Episode 2, you should have noticed that not all is the same. And things diverge from there.

I also found the 1973 film was spoiled by having Edward Woodward as the policeman. He was stamped on my mind as tough-guy Callan. It took time to realise that this was a very different sort of character. Not someone like Brownlow from The Bill, but fussy and pious. One reason why it was unpopular at the time.

Here, the police lady is quite tough, and shown to be a stickler for the rules. Sent to a bad posting from something that offended other police - just what comes out by stages.

Watch and enjoy.

Thoroughly enjoyed this show, you will get the wicker man vibes mixed with Hot Fuzz. Basically police sergeant forced out of her division due to whistle blowing on two other officers gets a new posting on a fictional Welsh island but the island has a secret. Coming to terms with a clearly weird populus she has to figure out the disappearance of a local child but uncovers much more. It will keep you guessing till the final episode and split your moral stance on what would you do in that situation. This had my wife and I gripped and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing that confused me is her last posting is in Newcastle and she's posted to St Jory a fictional island off the cost of Wales (shot in Cranstan, Alnwick Northumberland) which is reinforced with Jill Halfpenny turning up help with forensic investigation. Yet it seems Newcastle police have influence over this Welsh island and not say local Swansea police.

Although this series is basically a police drama with a case to solve the whole weird cult thing and the slightly creepy locals make this a bit different to the normal formula.

I'm not sure the welsh tourist board will be to enthralled with the idea that it has places where the locals are members of a religious cult and seem to be a few brain cells short of an amoeba.

Some class A hammy acting add to the fun and creepiness with the odd piece of gore to satisfy the horror lovers.

It isn't the fast paced sort of drama you get with modern police series, more a Midsommer Murders meets wicker man vibe.

All in all a decent binge watch and hopefully a second series will materialise.