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Do people write bad reviews just to be pretentious or do they just have really peculiar, particular taste? The ratings on this site have become almost useless. Shows and movies are always either 10s or 2s. So many times i will read terrible reviews, watch it and like it. And the films critics love, I despise. I know I don't have totally horrible taste or don't have any standards.... I thought this was a completely enjoyable mini series and I hope for a second season. And I loved the cast. It had a satisfying ending, and a good twist. The series kept me engaged and I would recommend people give it a watch.

As long as you don't expect something amazing then you have a good shot at enjoying this show. There are enough characters to keep it from getting dull. The episodes don't feel too padded with filler. The subplots are fairly interesting, and the overarching main plot is pretty good.

The best aspect of the show, though, is the cast. While they weren't always given great dialogue to work with, I did like the range of characters they displayed. They somehow made most of the plot feel realistic. I didn't fully buy into the ending reveal, but it was good enough to avoid letting down the rest of the show.

All in all, I would rank this show ahead of most new miniseries I've seen lately. This isn't Mad Men, The Wire, or Breaking Bad, but it's worth a view.

Ok so this isn't Line of Duty or the Wire but it it was much better than I was expecting due mainly to the two leads who carry it.

John Bradley seems to have mastered the smart cookie hidden behind the soft English 'buffoon' character.

Joanne Froggatt continues to show has the ability to lead. However, if I were being critical it does feel like she's being held back and not allowed to show her full range.

The one irritating aspect was her inability to maintain her 'posh' English accent. It slips every now and then revealing her northern roots.

Don't go into this expecting a breathtaking drama. Take it for what it is. A simple who done it with a great twist at the end!

I liked it. It's not the best show out there, but it's also not the worst. It was obvious who the killer was about halfway through, but the twist they used to show it was probably the best 5 seconds of acting in the series. It's a police procedural that you can watch with your kids. No intense shoot-outs, no car chases through the city with multiple wrecks, no sex scenes etc. Watching this reminded me of watching the last Crocodile Dundee; It definitely won't win any awards, but you can do far worse. It's a very pleasant 4 hour evening binge. I'm looking forward to a second season if they make one because the ending of this one could go either way.

Likeable main actors and a few complex characters make this an easy to watch drama that otherwise is pretty mediocre.

Although the murder mystery is central to everything, it feels like just a backdrop for exploring three complicated marriages that are falling apart in slightly different ways. The three strongest actors play three of the four main characters in these marriages, and it's exactly them that make the show so watchable.

Other acting is either mediocre or pretty bad, but luckily most have relatives minor roles. Meanwhile, the setting, the mild Aussie accents, and a satisfying (if a bit obvious) ending add just enough more to make it worth a watch.

I'm sorry for those who gave this low scores and gave up on it before the last episode!

Because the final episode has the most surprising twist of any crime/ murder mystery series since the first season of Broadchurch! Not as emotionally dramatic but still shocking!

There is no way - and you're right it doesn't seem to point to the fact that there even will be a twist at the end - which makes it even more amazing. It seemed like just a normal procedural, that was however to me a great story and a great bunch of characters and their relationships evolving; with the backdrop of politics! And you assume that they and us the viewers know who the killer and accessories are around halfway through the series. And probably thinking what else is there - and boy is there something else! Then even after that denouncement, the very last scenes offer up surprises!

The surprise probably meaning there could be a sequel. Let's see. As long as there is another intriguing murder!

Very seldom do you get to be the first to write a review. Let me start out by saying that after one episode I can say I love it. Already characters have been very well established. The production is top cabin and the acting is superb. The actors have a script that is full of nuances that it gives you renewed faith in writing. John Bradley plays his part so well and it makes you realize that you don't have to be a cutesy boy to play the lead. The subtle wit stands out from the very beginning... but the wit does not cheapen the seriousness of the series. My only regret is that this is a new series and I can't binge.

The star of the show could have been the harbour / ocean location, but it was relegated to a side show. Joanne Froggatt is always a solid watch, but I wonder if her shot at the big time has come and gone. With the exception of the cops, the characters are largely detestable, and if I had a plot control button I would probably design their ends in a ball of flames or bottom of the shark infested harbour, even the victim (again). Anyway, the plot is easy to follow, the outcome reasonably satisfactory. It's instantly forgettable, but in the gap between Christmas and new year, it did a job - sort of.

Ok I'm five episodes in so probably shouldn't be calling it.

There's a bit to like.

The actual whodunnit is mildly intriguing.

The pommy detective is head and shoulders above the rest of the cast.

The Aussie lead detective is just dreadful. Probably not completely the actors fault though. She starts out as every cliche ridden caricature you could imagine and pretty much stays there.

What really annoys me though is the lack of reality in the day to day situations. We are supposed to believe that the leader of the opposition in the middle of an election campaign has 3 hours to spend at the beck and call of some strumpet every night in one city. Then there's meant to be a big trade agreement. FFS have the writers not heard of caretaker mode?

OK, so this wasn't a 10, but it's to compensate for all the bozos that gave it a rating of less than 5. I can see where someone who is really jaded and/or burned out on police procedurals might give it a 5, but in no way does it deserve less than that. The acting was fine, the script was acceptable, the scenery great at times. A little humor, a little drama... it is good escapist fun. I would probably give it a real rating of 7 for that reason, but like I said, there are people out there who would rate Downton Abbey as a 3 because they thought it was boring. I was entertained, so two thumbs up ^^.

Bit odd.

I'm not sure what to make of this series given the fact you've spoken about things that seem so unnatural to the story. Why do I need to know that hormones are allowed in Australian meat, but not in British meat? What is your point?

Why do you keep bringing up, repeatedly, about the farming/meat standards being inferior in Australia compared to other countries? It seems very unnaturally placed in the script like you're trying to make a point?

Loved watching this for Max's character and the actor who plays him. As for his "boss" and her angst and unfriendliness, it seems a bit-well, cringe.

Where to begin with this one.... an over-polished and over-done production that is extremely unbelievable on every level. Sometimes the background of Sydney harbour is so fake it hurts (if you can't afford to hire an office to shoot a scene with harbour views, then don't bother).

Then there's the terrible writing.... SO many cliches; Australian detective vs British detective (the poor inexperienced Australian detective looks like a wounded teenager in every second scene and refuses to have a wine with British cop cause he isn't 'part of the team'), smart Asian cop/technician doing the computer intel work, the mother of the deceased girl constantly one upping her PR agent at every turn because she's so ruthless (as if you wouldn't have fired him by now if he is that hopeless and you are so intelligent) and awful 'foreign' accents.... I could go on and on.

The dialogue is unnatural and way too controlled, particularly in regards to the parents of the deceased girl. They have a mild disagreement involving their MURDERED daughter and then put that aside calmly and decide go out to dinner to enjoy a 'nice evening'. WHAT.

And why do they show a pub in the Sydney that supposedly does not sell pints because that's 'hipster'?! Has none of the writers of the show visited Sydney before???

But what hurts my soul the most is that the talent in this show is so good and yet the series itself is so unbelievably bad. Now that takes skill.

I was hoping this mini series would be a face spaced thriller set against the background of beautiful Sydney and Sydney Harbour. It was a slow routine mystery with great actors like the Queen of the British mini series Joanne Froggatt and the beautiful Claire Lovering. Unusual casting of John Bradley as the British cop but added a little bit of humour.

It was a beautiful tourist commercial for Sydney. I would like to see film makers who have a big budget , great cast and locations make a fast spaced serial killer style mystery in Sydney, The Rocks and the Northern Beaches. Gave it a 7 for the cast and beautiful photography.

A story that grew on me over a couple of episodes. Joanne Frogatt and Kirsty Sturgess were both excellent. I had not seen John Bradley before but he was very good too. As was the supporting cast. Oh yes, and the scenery was amazing.

The villain of the piece was very convincing, memories of booing at the Saturday morning pictures sprang to mind.

The show deserves a second series in my opinion because we need more images of sunshine in January.

It makes a change to watch a good tv show thats not dominated by American characters.

Well done to everyone involved.

Good directing and all round production. Roll on series 2 !

There were some nice ideas, the plot was adequately convoluted, and there was a mix of bad and worse guys. There was no spark. Lots of that five-second camera concentrating on the head of someone surprised, shocked or in a light-bulb moment that should have disappeared years ago.

I've generally enjoyed Aussie film making. It's often original, with very little Marvel comics overtones. This one appeared to be made by rejects from soaps. Come on, you're much better normally, Aussies.

Production aside, it's a way to spend 4 hours or so without too much thinking.

The lead pair did well. I would watch a second series, but would hope for improvements.

Really enjoying this show so far. John Bradley is such a great and down-to-earth actor, who knows to play this smart and devoted, yet slightly witty, detective really well. Joanne Froggatt is brilliant too, and it's wonderful seeing her play a more lead role. Kirsty Sturgess' character first starts off annoying, but quickly becomes super likeable and well-written as well. The writing and production on the show is excellent. It doesn't sound cliché or cheesy like a lot of modern murder mysteries do lately, and it's just the right amount of thriller and mystery to keep you wondering, with little hints of comedy to spark your mood. Really looking forward to seeing where the show goes, and I hope the killer isn't someone obvious lol.

"North Shore" attempts to deliver a gripping murder mystery set against Sydney's iconic North Shore but falls short in almost every aspect. The over-polished production lacks believability and is plagued by cliches that undermine its potential.

The writing is burdened with tired cliches, including the predictable Australian detective versus British detective dynamic and stereotypical character portrayals. The dialogue feels forced and fails to create genuine emotional connections, particularly in the interactions between the grieving parents.

In summary, a disappointingly cliched crime drama that lacks originality and realism. Its contrived plot-lines and wooden dialogue make it an underwhelming addition to the genre.

I enjoyed this series - if it was a totally Australian production then I have to admire how much Auzie production has come on over the last few years

They used to be totally wooden and boring (except for Skippy) and almost unwatchable

This - to me - marks a new departure in something that has a great story along with a great cast and production

I don't need a second series / but this was just fine.

Oh no! I can't post this review as I have not submitted enough characters - I wonder if this is enuf now.

Nope! I have 89 more to conjure up / it must be 89 very soon / please!

17 more to go - surely that's it now.

North Shore feels like a airport novel, or perhaps the first draft for one where the plot intent of dialogue is written, but has never been fleshed out into anything sounding like real human speech. Moments that could have been lightened with humour are rushed through to get finish underlining whatever cliche the scene was putting up in neon lights.

Every plot point, every response is wooden or telegraphed; antagonisms between UK and Aussie police are set up so flatly and unreasonably that they seem unprofessional and childish.

The English leads deserve better but at least they got a paid working holiday down under.

Too pedantic in pace. We see and hear far too much of the key players' lines and actions, i.e. The viewer has to live through nearly every move and speech they make. So it becomes a drama where there's no need to join the dots, they're already visible!

It is so step-by-step in approach that it almost seems written for a twelve-year-old (NO offence intended to that age group!). Instead it was surely geared toward the lowest common denominator in an adult audience.

This stylism of such a lethargic pace makes the show too detailed. It's almost as if we see all the moves & conversations of the players in slo-mo. There are too many lengthy shots of the actors' faces.

Frankly, the feel of the drama is more like an Aussie TV 'soap' programme than the intriguing detective series I was hoping for . . . And I never watch such 'soap' programmes, so disappointment all round.

Then even more 'soap'-y stylisms are added. By E2 & E3 backstories of love children are brought in. And multiple philandering started. Extra-marital affairs or near-affairs among the characters is introduced to the story. And some of these potentially damaging relationships are laughably unbelievable, to the point of being daft:

(1.) a very risky and thus unlikely act by two prominent politicians, each wanting to be top political bod - prime minister - in their respective country. One is married, and her husband is even in the vicinity.

(2.) a cop is attracted to his wife's sister & she to him. Each is married to someone else. They kiss and are teetering on the precipice an affair . . .

Threatened divorces are being bandied about, all over the plot. Dross!

Superficial pap. I could almost hear the delighted "Oohs!!" of excitement that were no doubt emitted from a certain segment of the audience.

The whole drama is style over substance: it appears to be mainly moments of emotions, filmed, and then lazily clipped together. The episodes lack any real connection between many key scenes. This means the storyline effectively loses segments of the plot.

In praise: at least there are a few good qualities to the series:

The combo of the cops of Australia & the UK is a new edge to a crime story. We have seen a few shows recently that have Brits landing in Oz to have something bad happen to them. But not one where two different police forces have to join teams.

And it does have another winning feature: the actor playing the UK detective sent out to observe the Aussie cops' investigation is a new face to me. It's always nice to see new actors on the scene. Rather than see the same familiar faces being rolled out, with every fresh series that gets made.

Plus the actor - John Bradley - plays the part well. It helps too that the character is not played as the stereotyped cop. There is no sardonic, laconic, renegade, man-on-the-edge cop here. Rather, we see a man who is insightful and effective, while not threatening the Aussie police force he is thrown in with. He dextrously handles all potential difficulties thrown at him. The character looks on the surface to be rather ineffectual, unsleek, and clearly not overly interested in fashion or concerned with vanity. But he's anything but a dullard or a jobsworth. A sharp mind is behind all his actions.

Sadly though, other than these few plus points, there is not much that stands out. The story is passable, but nothing really original. And the script is forgettable. Six months from now the average viewer will have forgotten this particular miniseries was ever broadcast.

Why be so inaccurate about Australia?? We don't call our detectives DS and DI etc. The country is not full of ignorant, bitchy people and criminals. But the biggest issue was the hormones in our meat. Australian agricultural protection is as strict as anywhere, let alone England. It's possible to make this whole series without all the inaccuracies. It ruins it. Just a little research here and there ...