Latest news with #Unforgotten
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Death in Paradise star's forgotten sitcom on Prime Video and he's unrecognisable
A Channel 4 sitcom, starring a Death in Paradise favourite, is now trending on Prime Video despite having been released over a decade ago A sitcom featuring Ardal O'Hanlon that originally aired over a decade ago has found new popularity on Prime Video. London Irish, which first graced Channel 4 in 2013, boasts a star-studded cast including Death in Paradise's Ardal O'Hanlon and Derry Girls' Peter Campion. The show centres around a group of Belfast expats navigating life in London. The series was the brainchild of Lisa McGee, the creative force behind Derry Girls. Despite only running for six episodes and Channel 4 deciding against a second season, London Irish has found renewed interest. Now available on Prime Video, the show has been given the 'trending now' label, demonstrating its enduring appeal 12 years after its initial release. The cast also features Sinéad Keenan, known for her role in Unforgotten, Game of Thrones actor Ker Logan, No Offence's Tracey Lynch, and Kat Reagan, reports Wales Online. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator and star of BBC's Fleabag, also makes a guest appearance in London Irish, portraying a character named Steph in one episode. The synopsis for London Irish reads: "Conor and Bronagh are twenty-something siblings from Northern Ireland who, along with friends Packy and Niamh, are trying to make their way through London life. "The foursome find navigating the big city challenging, particularly as they're playing by their own unique set of rules, leading to all sorts of mischief. "Conor is highly unpredictable and tends to just go with unbelievable things that tend to happen to him while his older sister, Bronagh, is the opposite of him - cynical, dark and fierce. Self-confident Niamh is ambitious and can be ruthless when she doesn't get what she wants. "Packy is the closest thing the group has to a parental figure and tries to keep the others in line but often gets dragged into their madness." Ardal, who portrays Chris in the sitcom, first gained recognition in Father Ted before joining BBC One's Death in Paradise as DI Jack Mooney. He left the popular drama series in 2020, but recently appeared in spin-off series Return to Paradise. His character featured remotely as part of a storyline with DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson).
Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Death in Paradise star's forgotten sitcom is available to stream and he looks so different
Death in Paradise star's forgotten sitcom is available to stream and he looks so different A much-loved sitcom, starring Death in Paradise favourite Ardal O'Hanlon, appears to have been rediscovered by TV fans after being added to Prime Video London Irish aired on Channel 4 (Image: Channel 4 ) A forgotten sitcom starring Ardal O'Hanlon has started trending on Prime Video, despite having premiered over a decade ago. London Irish originally landed on Channel 4 back in 2013, starring many famous faces, including Death in Paradise star Ardal O'Hanlon and Derry Girls' Peter Campion. The series follows the lives of a group of Belfast expatriates living in the UK capital. Created by Lisa McGee - the brains behind Derry Girls - London Irish ran for six episodes, with Channel 4 then confirming there were no plans to bring the show back for a second season. London Irish is now available to stream on Prime Video and it's been awarded the 'trending now' tag, proving its still popular 12 years after its release. Ardal O'Hanlon in Death in Paradise (Image: BBC ) BBC launch huge Oasis coverage ahead of reunion gigs with entire night of music READ MORE: The cast is also made up of Sinéad Keenan, known for starring in Unforgotten, as well as Game on Thrones star Ker Logan, No Offence actress Tracey Lynch and Kat Reagan. Article continues below Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator and star of BBC's Fleabag, also makes an appearance in London Irish, playing a character named Steph in one episode. A description for London Irish reads: "Conor and Bronagh are twenty-something siblings from Northern Ireland who, along with friends Packy and Niamh, are trying to make their way through London life. "Navigating the big city isn't easy for the foursome, especially because the rules they're playing by - rules that only they get - lead to a whole load of wrongdoings. "Conor is highly unpredictable and tends to just go with unbelievable things that tend to happen to him while his older sister, Bronagh, is the opposite of him - cynical, dark and fierce. Self-confident Niamh is ambitious and can be ruthless when she doesn't get what she wants. "Packy is the closest thing the group has to a parental figure and tries to keep the others in line but often gets dragged into their madness." London Irish stars Ardal as Chris 'Da' Lynch (Image: Channel 4 ) Article continues below Ardal, who plays Chris in the sitcom, initially rose to fame in Father Ted before joining BBC One's Death in Paradise as DI Jack Mooney. He exited the hit drama series in 2020, but recently starred in spin-off series Return to Paradise. His character appeared remotely as part of a storyline with DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson). London Irish is available to stream now on Prime Video.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
5 Great UK Police Detective Shows You Really Need To Watch
5 Great UK Cop Shows Credit: BBC There are few things in this fine world that I enjoy more than a really good cop show, and among the many types of police dramas out there, few I find as gripping as a good cop show from the UK. It's like comfort food for this TV critic. While I'm always looking for something new – and please share if you have favorites not listed here – I do have a few favorites that I thought I'd share with you here. These range from classic murder mysteries to stories about cops on patrol to really emotional family dramas, so there's a lot of variety. All of these are relatively new and set in modern times. We'll save Agatha Christie and the like for another time. Most of these are available on BritBox (one of my favorite streaming services which I subscribe to via Amazon Prime Video) though one is not available anywhere at the moment unless you purchase it on Video on Demand. Other streaming services, like Mhz, PBS Masterpiece also have some great police shows from the UK and Europe. If you're in the UK, obviously BBC iPlayer is a great option. The newest series on this list is one of my favorite new police shows. Blue Lights follows the day-to-day patrols of a group of police officers in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It's not really a mystery in the same sense that shows like The Wire aren't really mysteries. You get to know the cops on the beat, the criminals they come across and you see a lot of the tension between communities and the police as well as just how divided Belfast remains even long after the Troubles have ended. The show's creators met with over 40 police officers in order to craft as authentic a portrayal as possible. Fans of shows like Southland and The Wire will enjoy this gritty, down-to-earth procedural. The series focuses on a trio of rookie cops: Siân Brooke plays Grace Ellis, a mother who changes careers in her 40s to become a police officer, and two young rookies, Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin) and Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff). They join veteran cops who show them the ropes as they navigate incredibly tense situations in both Catholic West Belfast (in Season 1) and Protestant/Unionist Belfast (in Season 2). A third season is currently in production. Unforgotten Credit: ITV I've recently been devouring the British crime drama Unforgotten, binging two seasons in (I think) two days recently. I'm up to Season 4 now, and it's absolutely gripping TV. Nicola Walker stars as DCI Cassie Stuart, the head of a cold cases unit. DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) helps lead a team of detectives solving historical crimes. Each season, they uncover a new body and get to work piecing together all the clues. Who is this person? When did they die? Was it a murder? And, of course, who is the killer? Inevitably, many closets are emptied of their skeletons in the process, and lives are upended in the process. So far, each season has been better than the last. (Though I've had readers tell me that this changes in later seasons, in part due to a major recasting). The villains in this show are often deeply sinister (Season 3 in particular had me reeling) and have managed to get away with their crime(s) for decades, posing as normal people with nothing to hide, often even from their families – until now. Happy Valley Credit: BBC The undisputed monarch of British cop shows is, in my humblest opinion, Happy Valley. Nothing else compares. In my review of the three-season show I called it a 'masterpiece' and I stand by that. Every minute of this series is compelling, whether it's just really emotional family drama or edge-of-your-seat action that leaves you breathless and shaking. Sarah Lancashire plays police sergeant Catherine Cawood, a middle-aged divorcee who lives with her sister and raises her grandson. Lancashire's performance is easily one of the top five TV performances I've ever seen. The series villain, Tommy Lee Royce, played with crackling menace by James Norton, will haunt you long after the credits roll. The writing and acting is simply outstanding, with moments of genuine humor followed by gut-wrenching scenes of violence or suspense. Creator Sally Wainwright spins a story that's at once tragic and deeply relatable. Somehow, despite a huge gap between Seasons 2 and 3, the show manages to wrap up its decade-long story perfectly. Easily one of my all-time favorite TV shows. This is very much in the 'Nordic noir' tradition, and fans of American mysteries like Mare Of Eastown should definitely check it out. Line Of Duty Credit: BBC So far we've talked a lot about coppers in this post, but what about bent coppers? Because if you want a show about catching bent coppers, there's only one place to turn: Line Of Duty follows the detectives of AC-12, an anticorruption unit whose mission is to stop organized crime and root out crooked cops. It's terrific television right up until its final, wildly disappointing sixth season. Each season tackles a new corruption case, though all of these are connected to a larger conspiracy. The show follows DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) as he's transferred to AC-12 where he meets his new boss Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of bent coppers. He's partnered with DC Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) who works undercover for AC-12. Each season introduces a new guest star from an impressive list of British actors including Lennie James, Thandiwe Newton and Stephen Graham. Shetland Credit: BBC Finally we go north – way, way up north to Shetland, the Scottish islands from whence this series takes its name. I don't typically judge my TV mysteries based on which detective I'd most like to have a pint with, but if that question were posed to me, I'd easily pick DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall). Perez is just such a level-headed guy, I find him calming to watch, even though he doesn't always keep his cool. Henshall is brilliant in the role (though he exits after Season 7, alas). The show is based on the books by Ann Cleeves, though it departs in some pretty significant ways from the source material. Each season tackles a new murder that's taken place in the remote Scottish isles with its rocky beaches and vast open spaces. This is the most rural of these shows, though our heroes find their way to other locations including Glasgow and even Norway, which is just across the water. Some terrific guest stars have appeared on Shetland, including Brian Cox, Ciarán Hinds and Stephen Walters. And while I find some of the choices this series makes (either changes from the books or just peculiar decisions particularly at the end of Season 4) overall it's a great watch. What other great British, Irish and Scottish cop shows and mysteries do you enjoy? Obviously there are countless more to choose from, so tell me your favorites so I can add them to my backlog! Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Gripping' crime drama with two huge stars available to stream on ITV now
River, a binge-worthy six-part series, has been dubbed by the broadcasting giant as "gripping" and is available to download now ITVX has quietly announced the addition of another gripping detective drama to add to their collection on the popular streaming platform, featuring Stellan Skarsgård in the lead role. River, a six-part series hailed as "gripping" by the broadcaster, is now available for free streaming on the platform and ready for immediate download. The binge-worthy detective series centres around DC John Rivers, who leads investigations while mourning the loss of his close friend and colleague DS Jackie Stevenson "Stevie", portrayed by Nicola Walker. As John delves into the evidence, he is confronted by some of the darkest truths surrounding Stevie's murder, leading him to question if he ever truly knew her. Penned by Abi Morgan, known for her work on The Split and Eric, the narrative revolves around detective John River, reports Surrey Live. He is a detective who finds himself living amongst the dead and dying victims and killers from the murder cases he's trying to solve but unable to escape. The synopsis reads: "John River: a man whose vulnerabilities and eccentricities are brought to the fore as he grieves the loss of his dearest friend and colleague, DS Jackie Stevenson." The teaser for the show hints at a profound journey of grief for the lead character: "The stages of his grief mark River's growing bonds with those he has excluded from his heart and his mind, and when a murder suspect jumps to his death whilst being pursued by River, the pressure and scrutiny that surrounds him escalates fast." It goes on to intrigue viewers with the twisty tale: "As the investigation into Stevie's murder begins to reveal her deepest secrets, River has to question everything he thought he knew about his one true friend. Their relationship might have survived her death, but can it survive the truth of who she really was in life?" Heading the show is Stellen Skarsgård, known from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, flanked by an impressive cast including Nicola Walker from The Split and Unforgotten. The cast is further embellished with Adeel Akhtar appearing as Detective Sergeant Ira King, Lesley Manville of The Crown fame taking on the role of Chief Inspector Chrissie Read, and Eddie Marsan playing a notorious killer.
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
I, Jack Wright, U&Alibi, review: a homespun Succession with a dab of Dallas
It's a legal myth created by Hollywood but once upon a time, TV and film were full of wills being read. Beneficiaries would gather solemnly around a long table, often in a spooky mansion, before a lawyer formally read aloud the terms of the deceased's last will. Cue shock revelations, long-buried secrets and all manner of melodrama. Such theatrical set pieces might have fallen out of fashion but the tradition is revived in I, Jack Wright (U&Alibi). Set in motion by a minted mogul's last will and testament, this gripping family thriller is half-whodunit, half-soapy dynastic drama. A homespun Succession with a dab of Dallas and an Agatha Christie-esque mystery at its heart. When the titular wealthy patriarch – Wright Snr (Trevor Eve) made his millions in the brick business and we don't mean Lego – died by what appeared to be suicide, his current wife and two eldest sons were outraged to learn they'd been left virtually nothing of his £100m fortune. As well-heeled hell broke loose, police investigated Jack's suspicious demise. Naturally, it turned out to be murder most foul. Disinherited wife Sally (Nikki Amuka-Bird) launched a legal challenge. Dissolute son Gray (John Simm, sporting an earring, black eye and bloodied nose) was being pursued by loan sharks and badly needed the payday. His brother John (Daniel Rigby) had been groomed to take over as CEO of the brick business but suddenly found himself frozen out, to the fury of his Lady Macbeth-esque wife (Zoë Tapper). Ruby Ashbourne-Serkis – as the daughter of Lorraine Ashbourne and Andy Serkis, the 26-year-old has impeccable acting genes – impressed as granddaughter Emily, an aspiring tech mogul with an agenda of her own. The dogged detective, DCI Hector Morgan (Harry Lloyd), was refreshingly free of gratuitous quirks, although I suspect his wife recently left him. The reasons will doubtless soon be revealed. He was also partial to a Columbo-style 'Just one more thing…' but who could blame him? Given half a chance, we'd all do it. In a knowing flourish, episodes were bookended by interviews with key players for what appears to be a true-crime documentary. Flashing forward two years, some were in prison, others had fallen on hard times. Some were haunted by guilt, others defiantly unrepentant. The gimmick added momentum, seeded clues and left the plot intriguingly poised. Production values were higher than one might expect from a second-tier channel. Action unfolded at country estates, swanky London offices and Parisian apartments. Interiors were enviably stylish, all gleaming parquet floors, chic lamps and designer kitchens. The cast was high-calibre, with the likes of Gemma Jones, Niamh Cusack and James Fleet adding heft in supporting roles. Created by Unforgotten's Chris Lang, it was packed with treachery and plot twists. This was a propulsive tale of greed, mistrust and dysfunctional family feuds. The script was darkly comic, with teenagers nabbing the best lines – notably one about frozen peas in a bodily orifice which was bound to have set off alarm bells at Birds Eye HQ. The BBC part-funded the series, so one assume it will tip up on terrestrial TV next year. That would be welcome, because it deserves a wider audience.
