Reviews: Noel Edmonds's Kiwi Adventure, The Firm, Outrageous

I must admit his absence wasn't keeping me awake at nights, but Noel Edmonds's Kiwi Adventure (STV, Friday) revealed what happened next. Or as much as he wanted to tell us, anyway.
In 2018, said Rob Brydon, the narrator of this three-part docuseries, Edmonds 'turned his back on it all' and travelled 11,500 miles to build a new life in New Zealand with his wife, Liz.
It's hard to see how he could have put more distance between himself and Blighty, so why was he back? Was TV missing him, or was he missing TV?
As for the format he chose for his return, let's see: chap of a certain age, younger partner, starting new venture, in possession of sidekick with comedy potential - remind you of anyone? It is tempting to conclude that Edmonds took one look at Clarkson's Farm and thought, 'Anything he can do …'
There's one major difference between the two, though. Before his recent scare, Clarkson prided himself on being a bloke's bloke about health. Edmonds. In contrast, has long been a fully paid-up member of the woo-woo club.
We saw him hard at work on his fitness regime, which included crystals, cold showers, and 'structured water', wherever that is. It might sound bonkers but look at him - he's 76.
By far the best thing for his health was Liz, whom he called 'my earth angel'. They met when she did his make-up on Deal or No Deal. All the clocks in the house were set to the exact time, 11.06, to commemorate the occasion.
More eyebrow-raising material followed, like the giant figure of a knight kneeling in prayer that sits on his property and is meant to symbolise Edmonds's fight back from bankruptcy.
All of this was narrated by Brydon with commendable restraint. No one has to try too hard when Edmonds is around because he is always the star of the show.
Edmonds was listed at the top of the credits as 'series consultant'. Still in charge, then. Whatever 'it' is on television, he still has it, and come the end of the first episode I'll admit I wanted to know more. Will his vineyard survive the frost and rains? And is there an end to Liz's patience with his schoolboy humour? Move over Clarkson, you've got competition.
At the start of The Firm (BBC Scotland, Tuesday), the lawyer Aamer Anwar said: 'It's almost like a Line of Duty episode.'
I have no idea why he said that because nothing was like a Line of Duty episode, unless you counted Anwar's affection for Steve Arnott-style waistcoats.
This second series was a world away from the first. Where that was a tonally bizarre mix of the serious and the silly, the new run played it straight down the line. Cheerio Sex and the City and Suits, hello The Handmaid's Tale and Panorama.
But was it better for it? It was certainly shorter, reduced from eight episodes to just three.
Viewers were taken step by step through some of the high-profile cases Aamer Anwar & Co have dealt with in recent years, including the death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh. Other cases include Margaret Caldwell's fight for an inquiry into the handling of her daughter Emma's murder investigation, and the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay in Polmont Young Offenders Institute.
It is impossible to imagine what these families have been through, but The Firm filled in some of the details with care and compassion. Sometimes was the little things that spoke loudest, like Katie's mum bringing the dog with her into meetings. Would other firms be so understanding?
The same point about small details applied to Anwar himself. Last time, he was a flash lawyer about town, stopping off at his tailors to order new suits, or slo-mo walking to the office like some pop star in a video. Here he rocked up to Margaret Caldwell's door with a Sainsbury's carrier bag in place of a briefcase. She welcomed him in (as did the dog, Teddy) like he was one of the family. You can't fake that level of closeness.
Likewise, the moments when emotions were running high and only a hug would do. There is no such thing as 'good news' in this branch of the law. None of the families featured wanted to be in this position. But there was a sense of pride in standing up for those no longer here, and that came across loud and clear.
Besides the families and Anwar we heard from a much wider spectrum of contributors, including a former detective who worked on the Caldwell investigation. The new faces brought much-needed freshness to otherwise familiar material.
Another big change from the first series: we didn't hear from the junior members of staff. They appeared in meetings but not a peep was heard. That was a pity. I'd hate to think they had paid the price for some of the dafter editorial decisions in series one.
Murder Most Puzzling (Channel 5, Thursday) isn't the first time Phyllis Logan has dabbled in crime. Her gangster's wife in Guilt was more terrifying than any of her bodyguards, and deserved a series of her own (quick as you like, Neil Forsyth).
In the meantime, we will have to do make do with Murder Most Puzzling, one of a growing band of 'cosy crime' offerings taking over the TV schedules (Ludwig, The Madame Blanc Mysteries), publishing (Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club) and film (Netflix's adaptation of Osman's book). It's a difficult combination to get right.
Logan's Cora Felton could have gone either way. A crossword setter known as The Puzzle Lady, Cora has come to the small town of Bakerbury with her niece, Sherry (Charlotte Hope), hoping for a quieter life.
As per, all was not as it seemed, starting with Cora. When a woman was found dead with what looked like a crossword clue in her pocket, the local plod asked for Cora's help. Before you could say a four letter word for unbelievable, more victims had come along and Cora had turned into a full-blown sleuth.
The oft-married Cora was a likeable sort given added heft by Logan. There was a scene at the start, involving Cora interviewing bereaved parents, that could have been toe-curling if not for Logan bringing her acting chops to bear.
Cora/Logan was also a highly convincing dropper of the F-bomb, a power she used seldom but well, ditto her Scottish sarkiness. 'Isn't the internet a marvel,' she said while picking a lock. 'All these instructional videos by cheerful men, helping burglars.'
The rest was as credible as Scooby Doo, and I'd still rather have a series with Logan as a crime clan matriarch, but I might be tempted back to see how Cora is getting on.
What ho folks, it's a thoroughly spiffing drama about those game gels, the Mitford sisters. You know the ones: Nancy the novelist, Diana the beauty, the one who went full blown Nazi … There ought to be a verse, like the one for Henry VIII's wives.
Phyllis Logan plays a crossword-setter turned sleuth in Murder Most Puzzling (Image: ITV1)
Written by Sarah Williams, Outrageous (U&Drama, free to air, Thursday) wisely gave the job of narrator to Nancy the novelist (an excellent Bessie Carter). She introduced us to the six sisters and one brother. Since he was the lucky chap set to inherit everything, it was up to the rest of them to marry well, a rule swiftly ignored like all the rest.
Outrageous was handsomely shot and convincingly shabby. A few clunky moments of exposition aside ('Mrs Guinness? Oswald Mosley'), it rolled along like a game of croquet on a well-tended lawn. The first episode - one of six - was a warm-up for what comes next, but Anna Chancellor is already a standout as the mother desperate to get the girls off her hands. Careful what you wish for, 'Muv'.

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Daily Mail​

2 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

Noel Edmunds' new series is compared to a 'mockumentary' as viewers vow to watch 'every week' - while TV star details money woes from £15million New Zealand estate

Viewers of Noel Edmunds' new ITV documentary have compared it to a 'mockumentary' after the first episode premiered on Friday night. Kiwi Adventure follows the former Deal Or No Deal star, 76, at his 800-acre New Zealand estate River Haven after making the move with his third wife Liz Davies in 2019. The new documentary sees Noel displaying his humble abode as he is filmed lying under crystal lamps and showing off his garden, which strangely features a Guardian statue. The unique touches to his estate and his antics on the show left some viewers comparing it to a 'mockumentary' as they drew parallels with The Office's David Brent. Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their opinions, writing: 'Is this something out alan partridge', ' Noel Edmonds Kiwi Adventure is like an Alan Partridge documentary as a Bass Eye spin-off. 'I could watch this EVERY week, not just series!', 'Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure confirms that Edmonds is essentially David Brent and Alan Partridge melded into the one body, with a dash of Colin Hunt from The Fast Show', 'This is the most bizarre TV show of the year so far', 'Watching Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure on ITV. It's actually very moving. It's one of the best programmes I've ever seen.' The series opener saw Noel reveal he is actually losing money with his New Zealand-based business due to the country's unpredictable weather. His plush Kiwi estate consists of 12 properties including a pub called The Bugger, which punters don't visit during a downpour, according to Noel. He said: 'When you come to New Zealand, you change your view about your relationship between the weather and the economy. 'We're haemorrhaging money at the moment because you have to take staff on in anticipation of the guests coming. 'We're going to have to have a spectacular November and December to balance the books. Noel also admitted in the hour-long insight into his life that he cares what people think about him and wants to make his business in New Zealand work. 'I'm so committed to New Zealand that I have invested tens of millions of dollars of my hard-earned money in this country,' he shared. 'I think I would have to admit, I do actually care what people think of me. And criticism does hurt. 'I do worry about it because I'm hugely sensitive and we do want to be accepted, sure.' The release of Kiwi Adventure comes after Noel and ITV received criticism from fans for 'copying' Jeremy Clarkson's Clarkson's Farm. Noel had rivalled Clarkson's Farm after signing a £1million deal with ITV for the series. Hitting back at comparisons in an interview with The Sun, Noel said: 'When we were filming our show, some people who knew about Clarkson's Farm said to me, "Oh, is it like Clarkson's Farm?" 'And I said, "No, it couldn't be more different." First of all, I'm not like Jeremy in many ways, though I wish I were. 'He's brilliant. He can articulate an argument beautifully and deliver a sharp, humorous line like no one else. 'The key difference between our Kiwi Adventure, and Clarkson's Farm is that ours is more of a lifestyle narrative. Noel first moved to New Zealand in 2019 with former make-up artist Liz, launching a network of radio stations near Auckland before moving to Ngatimoti three years later. As well as the winery, the TV star also has a shop, restaurant, pub, and café on a £15m estate. In 2023, sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of 'colonising' their idyllic village. The Deal Or No Deal star has also added winemaking to his repertoire at River Haven. Noel settled in the Ngatimoti area and snapped up 12 properties worth almost £15m on 270 hectares of land. The town is already well-known in New Zealand for its annual festival, which generally takes place in October and is attended by thousands of people The town is already well-known in New Zealand for its annual festival, which generally takes place in October and is attended by thousands of people. In 2023, he sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of 'colonising' their idyllic village. One said: 'I feel like he's a coloniser. He's come in like he's the lord of the manor.' The television star has not helped matters by posing for photos on the estate holding a mug with the slogan 'His Lordship'. The resident added: 'He's got this attitude... about how he's improved the place and made it amazing - it was already amazing.'

Metro

4 hours ago

• Metro

'I wish more shows were like this': Your favourite underrated crime dramas

Police procedurals, legal dramas and Scandi noir. Whatever your poison, you've probably binged one or two TV crime shows in your time. Line of Duty, The Fall and Broadchurch are just a few of the most popular in the genre, keeping viewers gripped episode after episode with their complex conspiracies and sudden twists. But while they're certainly deserving of the praise, sometimes the most bingeable series are those that fly under the radar, despite glowing reviews. We asked Metro readers to share their favourite underrated crime dramas, and these are the lesser-known series they recommend adding to your watch list… One user, called Evan_Underscore, heaped praise on Mr Inbetween, an Australian TV series that follows a criminal for hire. 'The dialogues and the situations feel so realistic that everything feels theatrical compared to it,' they wrote. 'It's also great in mixing terrible and funny in a way that they only complement each other.' Another user, wobbsey, recommended Giri/Haji, a BBC production from 2019 that is available on Netflix. In their glowing assessment of the series, they wrote: 'Set in Japan and the UK. Family loyalty and conflict. Yakuza mobsters. Cops. It's suspenseful and moving. Gorgeous cinematography which is something I rarely even notice!' They added: 'The last episode is particularly stunning. Not enough people know this show, under appreciated gem.' Meanwhile, AltruisticCableCar is clearly a fan of Scandi noir, recommending three Swedish crime dramas. They suggested Wallander, both the original series and the British remake, though they added 'I prefer the remake'. They went on 'Also Glaskupan (The Glass Dome). Just recently watched this and whoa. Åremorden (The Åre Murders) is another one.' Other lesser-known crime series recommended by Metro readers included Damages, starring Glenn Close, 2019 BBC series The Capture and American police procedural Major Crimes. Looking for more TV recommendations? We also asked Metro readers about their favourite underrated TV thrillers, and these series came out top: House of Cards — No, not the Kevin Spacey series, but the original British version following a fictional Chief Whip of the Conservative Party. — No, not the Kevin Spacey series, but the original British version following a fictional Chief Whip of the Conservative Party. Edge of Darkness — Policeman Ronald Craven attempts to solve the brutal murder of his daughter, leading him to uncover a government conspiracy. — Policeman Ronald Craven attempts to solve the brutal murder of his daughter, leading him to uncover a government conspiracy. River — A brilliant police officer attempts to hunt down his colleague's killer, all while dealing with her estranged family, his new partner and a psychiatric evaluation. — A brilliant police officer attempts to hunt down his colleague's killer, all while dealing with her estranged family, his new partner and a psychiatric evaluation. Stag — A black comedy following an obnoxious group of friends in the Scottish Highlands on a deer hunting weekend. Things turn sinister when they find themselves being picked off one by one. — A black comedy following an obnoxious group of friends in the Scottish Highlands on a deer hunting weekend. Things turn sinister when they find themselves being picked off one by one. Collateral — DI Kip Glaspie investigates the murder of a pizza delivery driver, who was gunned down by a masked shooter while delivering to the ex-wife of a politician. — DI Kip Glaspie investigates the murder of a pizza delivery driver, who was gunned down by a masked shooter while delivering to the ex-wife of a politician. The Worricker Trilogy — The three films star Bill Nighy as MI5 officer Johnny Worricker, whose life is turned upside down when his boss and best friend dies suddenly. Read all about these underrated TV thrillers. This dark comedy follows Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan), a father who's struggling to juggle his relationship, parental responsibilities, friendships and a sick brother — all while working as a criminal for hire. Inspired by the cult film The Magician, in which a hitman hires a student to document his life, Mr Inbetween has proved extremely popular with viewers, earning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and a near-perfect 98% audience score. Fans have called it 'criminally underrated', with many comparing it to smash hit series Breaking Bad. Where to watch: Seasons one to three are available to stream on Disney Plus. Giri/Haji's perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score speaks for itself. Cruelly axed by BBC and Netflix after just one series (despite being nominated for three Baftas), this series is a true hidden gem. It follows a Tokyo detective (Takehiro Hira) who is searching for his missing brother in London's underworld, after he became mixed up with the Yakuza, a Japanese organised crime syndicate, and accused of murder. If you're a fan of Netflix's Black Doves, which stormed up the streamer's most-watched chart in December last year, Giri/Haji is worth checking out, as both dramas were created by screenwriter Joe Barton. In a review, The New Yorker called the series 'violently stylish' and a 'sexy police thriller', while the Daily Telegraph called it 'bold, bewitching and slightly bonkers'. Where to watch: All eight episodes are available to stream on Netflix. The BBC's Wallander stars Kenneth Branagh as a Swedish detective who investigates a series of gruesome murders. The series, which first aired on BBC One in 2008 and is an adaptation of the mystery novels by Henning Mankell, has been hailed as 'wonderful' and 'terrific', with plenty of praise for Branagh as the lead. Viewer Anthony Pearce wrote in a Google review: 'Having watched this series for the second time I can only say it was as wonderful and fantastically acted as I had remembered. Kenneth Branagh is undoubtedly one of our finest actors'. And Anne Norton added: 'Wallander was terrific!!! My first Swedish crime show, and it didn't disappoint. Kenneth Branagh's acting is just outstanding'. Last month, Variety reported that Wallander is set to return to screens in a reboot, which will see detective Kurt Wallander, now 42, struggle to get his life under control, having separated from his wife and become estranged from his daughter. Where to watch: Series one to four are available for free on BBC iPlayer. A much more recent release, The Glass Dome (Glaskupan in Swedish) landed on Netflix in April this year. The six-part series follows a criminologist (Léonie Vincent) who returns to her small hometown and 'becomes wrapped up in the investigation of a missing girl and its haunting similarities to her own childhood abduction'. Perhaps less of a hidden gem than the others on this list, it quickly climbed the ranks on Netflix to peak at number two on the streamer's weekly round-up of most-watched shows. But, as non-English language shows can sometimes go overlooked by British viewers, The Glass Dome remains unfamiliar to some. Don't let the language barrier put you off, though, it's been praised as 'gripping' and 'tanatalising' by critics, while viewers have called it 'haunting' and 'brilliant'. Where to watch: Stream all six episodes on Netflix. Another hit from Sweden, The Åre Murders is based on a popular series of books by author Viveca Sten. The Nordic noir follows a detective who has been suspended from duty (Carla Sehn), seeking solace in the idyllic but eerie ski resort town of Åre. But she soon becomes wrapped up in investigating the mysterious disappearance of a young woman. Netflix subscribers clearly love a Scandi drama, as this series achieved a whopping 11,000,000 views in one week when it landed in February this year. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics praised the drama as well as its Scandinavian setting. Common Sense Media's review read: 'This is an edge-of-your-seat crime series that spans two separate murders in one small, snowy, Swedish town.' And Decider wrote: 'The Åre Murders features all the hallmarks of the Nordic noir genre… throw in some fantastic location shots of Sweden's mountainous north, and we're all the way in on this investigation.' Where to watch: Stream all five episodes on Netflix. Glenn Close stars as Patty Hewes, a brilliant but ruthless lawyer whose life is changed forever when she hires a young, ambitious protégé (Rose Byrne). Though the series focuses on the complex relationship between the two professionals, it also charts the cases they work on — taking a three-pronged approach as a legal thriller, gripping murder mystery and an adrenaline-fueled character study. The series has an impressive 91% average score on Rotten Tomatoes, with series three and four both receiving a 100% rating. A review from the Los Angeles Times called Damages 'one of the best shows on television', while New York Daily News wrote 'few shows on television are written and acted with such fascinating mystery.' Where to watch: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video from £2.49. Starring Callum Turner, Ben Miles and Paapa Essiedu, this BBC crime thriller explores the 'terrifying world of deepfake technology' through the eyes of an 'ambitious young Detective Inspector' (played by Holliday Grainger). The first season sees a soldier's past conviction of murder, which was overturned due to flawed video evidence, come back to haunt him, while season two follows a new conspiracy involving Chinese spies and a British politician. Fans have praised it as 'stunningly good', with one anonymous user writing on Rotten Tomatoes: 'Absolutely gripping show. Moves at a great pace with great actors and a great storyline. Twists and turns and super realistic to the current world.' Another said: 'One of the best series I've ever watched. Thought the first season was good but the 2nd takes it to the next level. Need more series like this. The ending was sublime, left me utterly speechless.' Where to watch: Series one and two are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. If you're a fan of American police procedural The Closer, you might also want to check out Major Crimes, which is set in the same police department. Captain Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) leads the team in the LAPD's Major Crimes Division, and is attempting to repair burned bridges and win the trust of her colleagues while dealing with high-profile crimes and building air-tight cases. More Trending On Google reviews, Sherel Hallford wrote of the series: 'Such an Outstanding show! Characters and actors are admirable and realistic. The storylines [are] so enjoyable. Mary McDonnell portrayed Captain Raydor so well, showing dignity, integrity, strength and intelligence.' And Lesly S called Major Crimes 'one of my favorite shows of all time.' They added: 'This show was a classic and I wish more shows were like this.' View More » Where to watch: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video from £2.49. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.

Daily Mirror

4 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Noel Edmonds tearfully recalls being in a 'dark place' before suicide attempt

Former Deal or No Deal host Noel Edmonds has returned to screens with new show Kiwi Adventure, which delves into his life in New Zealand with wife Liz Noel Edmonds has opened up about the 'dark times' he's faced in his past as he makes a return to television. The former host of Deal or No Deal is back with Kiwi Adventure, a series that follows his life in New Zealand alongside his wife Liz, where they operate a hospitality business in the rural town of Ngatimoti. Noel, 76, and Liz, who tied the knot in 2009, decided to relocate in 2015 and made the move in 2019. Noel had previously spoken about the 'incredible spiritual pull' he experienced when visiting the country, which inspired him to settle there. ‌ The couple now own an expansive 800-acre estate named River Haven, complete with a vineyard, restaurant, wellness centre, and a pub cheekily named The Bugger Inn. ‌ In the first episode of his new show, Noel, last seen on our screens during his stint on I'm A Celebrity in 2018, became emotional as he reflected on his challenging past and suicidal thoughts. At one point, he visited a sculpture called Guardian, described by narrator Rob Brydon as 'a permanent reminder of a difficult period in his life'. "In 2005, at the height of his fame, Noel's production company unexpectedly went bankrupt, hugely affecting his mental health," Rob explained to viewers. Returning to Noel, the former House Party presenter gestured towards a plinth: "There's a description of my story here, for guests to understand why I had Guardian created. My Unique group of companies was deliberately collapsed by some corrupt bankers. "And I'm safe in saying that because my bank manager went to prison, along with four others, for 50. What they were doing was pushing businesses over the edge and then taking assets—that's basically what it was about. When the companies went into administration in 2006, I thought I was a crap businessman. I thought it was my fault. 70 people lost their jobs." Noel then revealed: "And I said to Liz, who was a fantastic support, 'When,' not if, When I win my battle to get my losses back, I'm gonna get the great Weta Studios, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, the real creative powerhouses here in New Zealand, I'm gonna ask them to build me a statue." ‌ Later, Guardian was created, with Liz designing the shield the statue holds to symbolise his legal 'fight'. Next to the statue of a man crouching with his head bowed is an inscription, which Noel says inspired him to construct it in the first place. "It was that inscription that held me together and motivated me during some very dark times," he confessed, with the plaque reading: "'The devil saw me with my head down and thought he'd won until I said Amen. The relevance of that is the knight is not kneeling in defeat; he's praying," revealed Noel. He then became emotional as he detailed just how severely the legal battle impacted his mental health:"He's praying before he gets up and defeats the dark force, the enemy. I'll tell you, when you go to that dark space... I used to, like many people, kind of look down my nose and think, why would anybody want to take their own life? Why would they want to do that? I'll tell you, if If you've ever found yourself in that bleak place, you'll never pass judgement, because it's a realm devoid of reason," Noel expressed. ‌ He concluded by saying the Guardian statue stands as a beacon for those who feel 'weak,' 'disenfranchised,' 'marginalised,' and 'let down' by society. "He has not given up. You can feel it." With tears in his eyes, he grasped the sword and said: "Thanks, mate. Thank you." This isn't the first time Noel has openly discussed his suicidal thoughts. Back in June 2017, he revealed that he had attempted to end his life in 2005 after a fraudulent scheme by a group of HBOS financiers ruined his businesses. At that point, he wanted to 'end the overwhelming mental pain that had consumed [his] whole being'. ‌ "Until these criminals took me to the brink of emotional annihilation, I had always felt those who opt out by taking their own lives were selfish and cowardly... But having been cast into that bottomless dark space devoid of logic and reason, I have a much deeper understanding of life without hope...," he confessed. Noel also made it clear then that he 'sought no sympathy' and 'felt no shame' in making this admission. In the end, Noel received an apology from Lloyds Banking Group, which settled a compensation deal with him following the fraud case. While the specifics of the settlement were kept under wraps, the Daily Mail reported that he received around £5million. *If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@ or visit their site to find your local branch