The long shadow

This program is very well made, honest, heartbreaking & very important. I saw I review moaning about why itvx are making so many crime shows. I don't think this is the place for that discussion as this is meant to review a particular program. But saying that, I would like to say that I felt this program wasn't shallow or following the true crime popularity. I believe this was incredibly respectful & highlighted the catastrophic mistakes made when misogyny is rife, when victims aren't seen as a human being. This is a message about terrible mistakes made that if learnt from, can stop something like this happening again. Help the process for survivors. Help to make change. TV used in this way is incredibly powerful. Itvx did a wonderful job making this. The acting is incredible, the writing important & tone perfect.

The real life story of one of Britain's most notorious killers, Peter Sutcliffe, who evaded capture for many years, taunting The Detectives on the case.

I was worried by two things, one, that at seven episodes long, that it would lag, and feel too padded, and secondly, that they'd add in current attitudes and mindsets into occurrences from the 1970's, a very different time.

Episode one apart, I think they got the tone and attitudes spot on, we see the sexism and racism. It's a very good adaptation, it feels like a fairly authentic telling of the story, I didn't think they'd sensationalised it, or overdone it, the right mix of drama and story.

It gets better as it progresses, I didn't particularly care for episode one, but it definitely ends better than it started. It highlights the real failings with the investigation.

I like that it focuses more so on the investigation itself, rather than Sutcliffe himself, we actually see surprisingly very little of him.

Production values are terrific, they got the details spot on, it looks and feels very authentic, great fashions, sets and cars, the team nailed it.

It boasts a great cast, British talent galore, the likes of Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Liz White and Mark Jordon, they're all on point.

I still can't believe he got away with this for so many years.

8/10.

As a former police officer who was working at the time the Yorkshire Ripper was committing his horrendous crimes my husband and I were left feeling so angry at the way some West Yorkshire police dealt with the women who were his victims. Particularly Marcella. I don't believe we dealt with victims in such a way in Hampshire. Although it was a totally different time there was no excuse. This drama pulls no punches in showing just how ignorant these male officers were. The arrogance of senior officers in their single minded pursuit of Wearside Jack. Thank goodness we now have computerised systems that would deal with a complicated case more efficiently. A shocking drama that shows multiple sides of this awful crime spree.

For many many years , really since Broadchurch, ITV has produced drivel on a regular basis, ridiculous dramas that are nothing better than day time soaps and turned off after the first episode. Finally The Long Shadow arrives and within 10 minutes the difference was there to be seen. With an absolutely stellar cast and some top drawer actors this is totally compelling stuff The subject matter is very grim but it's a story that needs to be told, especially to a generation that will have no knowledge of that era.

The victims and their families are portrayed in a sympathetic manner and all the fashions and dialogue are spot on Definitely one of the best dramas this year.

I don't normally write reviews after just one episode so I may come back at a later date and amend this review. After episode one of the seven part ITV series based on the Yorkshire Ripper it's unlikely I will change my opinion. Mainly because the cast is almost a Who's Who of the best British acting talent out there. In episode one We have Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Lee Inglbey and Daniel Mays. And more to come in later episodes.

ITV have clearly pushed the boat out to produce a drama of the highest quality, not only the superb cast, but the script direction and attention to detail of the period is at the top drawer. For Once I'm quite glad that this hasn't been put on ITV Player as it gives me something to look forward to On Monday nights. 9/10.