Redemption

Enjoyed this series but it's not in the league as Happy Vally or Vera. Paula Malcomson was excellent in this, wouldn't have worked without her as the lead detective as she has a real onscreen presence, she's so naturally beautiful, sweet but tough. She plays the role of a successful detective who is also a mother estranged from her daughter who has just met her teen grandkids for the first time. Getting to know them while solving crimes and looking into the death of her daughter. Interesting story line, particularly with showing the reality of motherhood and how imperfect mums can be. Some of the supporting cast were very good such as the two teen actors that played collettes grandkids however the actors that played her workmates had weaker roles or maybe it was just weak scripts? In particular the actress who played her Boss, what a very boring actress and the two lead detectives that worked in the drug dept. Those 3 actors had zero spark. The two actors that played her main colleagues - the young girl and the bloke she drank with had bit more charisma. I think the script / storyline built up well but sort of fizzled out. Although the ending came together nicely- bit soppy. I watched this on Britbox. The UK has so many good crime dramas.

Amazing little series. Really hope we get another.

The acting is brilliant, and it's great to see a story written around a woman in her fifties.

The casting is inspired, everyone.is 100% believable, and the whole thing is surprisingly moving.

I loved this show.

Redemption traces the experiences of Detective Inspector Collette Cunningham (Paula Malcolmson), a successful Liverpool Serious Crime Squad senior detective called back to her native Dublin by the Irish Garda (Police) due to the untimely death of her daughter Stacey (Rachel O'Byrne) from whom she'd been estranged for over 35 years. Collette is named as guardian of two unknown grandchildren, 16 year old Cara (Abby Fitz) and 14 year old Liam (Evan O'Connor), who have an absent father Eoin (Moe Dunford). To care for her grandkids and to more fully investigate the suspicious circumstances of her daughter's death, Collette swings a 6 month transfer as a junior DI with the Dublin Garda.

What emerges is a thoroughly gripping drama with a taut and intense story line over 6 episodes as Collette begins to unravel what really happened to her daughter against the backdrop of Dublin's organized crime syndicates whilst trying to develop a relationship with grieving teenagers with complex lives and zero history with their grandma. The show features excellent Irish acting talent and provides a view into modern Irish policing which makes for some fascinating and distinct cultural and procedural/legal differences from the far more common UK police dramas. Collette's quirky partner Siobhan (Thadea Graham), down to earth colleague Patrick (Keith McEarlean) and acerbic boss Jane (famous Irish actress Siobhan McSweeney) are magnificently cast. Of particular note were the fantastic and intense performances of the two young stars, 21 year old Fitz and only 15 year old O'Connor, both novice actors with prior experience only in more minor roles.

I'm surprised at some of the negative reviews as this series was a great showcase of Irish acting talent which meant this was not just a regional variation of a British cop show.

Things haven't been the same in crime drama until now. Redemption has renewed my faith in the industry and topped it off with a tear.

Paula Malcomson has the qualities to pull off the female detective role and would love to see more of her in future crime dramas.

We'll worth my time.

An excellent show with a good plot, great characters and outstanding acting. The show had a few good twists and turns. I would love to see a second season to allow some of the character relationships to develop further.