WPC 56

The negative of the show is that much of it is predictable. The powerful men have to act macho and the woman is not respected as an equal. The woman has much better instincts as a copper than the men who've been on the police force for years. The worst of the coppers is, predictably, almost a 2-dimensional character, at least through the 2 seasons I've seen so far.

The positives include that there are some sensitive male characters who give Gina a chance. The supporting cast is excellent. The plots are interesting and appropriate to the times. And the attention to detail (sexism, racism, brutality, repressed sexuality, clothing, sets, hair styles, makeup, music, dialog) makes me almost believe it really is 1956 on the set.

Having lived through the 1950s (age 11 in 1956) I can attest that much of what we see on this show was very much like this. In many work places women were considered to be either eye-candy or efficient old maids who had no life outside of their employment, This continued well into the 60s until the women's movement had some clout. It would have been even more so for Gina who would have been about 10 years older than I was in 1956.

Gina's character has to be independent enough to take on a nontraditional job, tough enough to be a cop, yet still have a sensitive side. I think Jennie Jacques manages to pull it off well.

I've just read on WPC 56 official Social networking page, that there's no more WPC56? Yet the 3rd series was the BEST by far?! Wow BBC heads, you are not keeping up!

The new WPC Annie Taylor is amazing! Why would the BBC take this off?

The programme has improved ten fold with the new WPC & the amazing new, thrilling story lines, it so deserves/ed an evening slot!

Seasons 1 & 2 were (although good) no where near as strong as season 3. and was like starting over a brand new programme. Claudia Jessie, a much stronger actor which impacted on the character's strength! SHAME ON YOU BBC for taking off this amazing show?! I bet you are keeping Doctors though? no offence, I see that Claudia Jessie got nominated best storyline in the soap awards in Doctors? might be a clue there BBC?

Unbelievable!

It's an excellent series, one that went out on BBC1 in the afternoons, presumably many missed it, I certainly did, and that's a shame. The same sort of vibe as Father Brown, we certainly have the smart Detective and the Sid character, but there is a lot more to this than just light entertainment.

It does a good job of presenting stories with attitudes prevalent at the time, so expect sexist and homophobic attitudes, made at a time when The BBC wasn't afraid to show these attitudes, not just pretend they didn't exist.

Very nicely made, look out for terrific clothes, sets and cars, in particular a sublime red and white Consul in series two's finale.

The series struggled to retain its cast members, changes were rife, but they always managed to get it spot on. Jennie Jacques is great, the standout for me is Charles De'Ath, the guy is superb as Fenton.

A shame it ended after three series, it's great though, 8/10.

Jennie Jacques portrays all the ambitions, fears & acceptances of young women in 1956 England. I let myself go when watching the case solving, but I forget the plot when the camera is focused on her. I literally have to shake my head at times to follow the story.

I really like the scenes where she's not on camera. But from the first 5 minutes of episode one, she's the portrayed character I want to see next.

Not her fault, but Jennie Jacques' eyes are too magnetic. That said, the little known supporting cast are drawn from the deep well of British acting talent. This was Britain in 1956.

That I found Jennie Jacques' beauty distracting should not deter others from giving this a first viewing. She did what the writers & director dictated, & her performance is worthy of high praise.

I mark this down because of formulaic writing, but I mark it up because of the ensemble performances.

This is series worthy of watching.

There are some real Drama gems hidden away on daytime TV and WPC56 is certainly one of them. Why it's not on (or at least repeated) at a later time I'll never know.

Well written and performed it tracks the career of one of the first female police officers back in the 50's.

The show certainly looks the part in terms of set and costumes and the one a day style of episode screening only makes the cliffhangers that little bit more gripping.

Maybe in their wisdom the BBC will recommission the show for a third series or even better show it in an early evening slot. It would not look out of place against some of the other,bigger name Dramas.