Ripper Street

Ripper Street is a triumph on many levels. The acting is superb, the mysteries are riveting, and the narrative from week to week makes you more immersed and vested in the characters. The concept allows us to see how detectives solved crimes way before CSI, DNA, and forensics. But here's the real appeal of the show: There are many strong characters (police, prostitutes, girlfriends, mistresses, wives, criminals), each of whom have very differing motivations and aspirations, that constantly collide with each other. Their secrets, their intentions, and their loyalties add a fantastic backdrop to the "mystery of the week" making for one compelling drama. Bravo!

In my opinion, the British mystery/drama "Ripper Street" leaves the US "Copper" for dead. To all who have based their reviews on a single viewing, please give this show another chance. The acting and writing are brilliant and the characters are well-developed. Each episode leaves you wanting more. I particularly like the forensic scenes. Very interesting to see how far the science had developed during this period in British history. The stories are also well-paced, combining a good balance of action, drama and mystery. Don't give up on "Ripper Street" just yet because you just might be surprised by this British take on a "whodunnit?"

I set up an account on IMDb solely for the purpose of raving about the show Ripper Street. I love it. The show is a period piece but doesn't get swallowed up by the kitsch of it. The dialogue is sharp and the storyline is excellent. The storyline doesn't adhere strictly to the Ripper mystery, because if you know anything about the actual events, it would make for a very short series. And that would be a shame, clearly. The characters have compelling, individual backgrounds & story lines which are beginning to flesh themselves out. I eagerly anticipate series 2.

And if you don't agree, that's fine. But I had to voice my support.

I watch little TV and even less pot-boiler dramas, but Ripper Street drew me in from the start. The dialogue is so beautifully written, and delivered that it underlines the differentiation of the age that the program is set, and the age that we now inhabit. So clever is it though that it is always transparently clear.

In this way the show reminds me somewhat of the recent Spartacus series.

The fact that there is light and shade in every character, and there are no absolute heroes or villains really does demonstrate the ambivalence of the times.

It is a cartoon, for sure rather than a factual historical program, but it does tell a lot of the early days of the police force in London.

I am yet to be disappointed by a single episode. Bravo BBC !

British drama knocks Coppers into a cocked hat (helmet??). I love Tom Weston-Jones and the Irish ruggedness is very appealing, but for quality acting and set believability, despite the slickness, Ripper Street sets the new standard in period TV detective series.

I thought the break in Boardwalk Empire would leave me nothing to watch, but this new BBC series absolutely does the business if, like me, you like the genre. For me,despite his talent, Matthew Macfadyen has struggled to dispense with the Spooks mantle which has likely served rather albatross- like for some time (even the M&S adverts failed in this respect). That is over. It will be scriptwriters and production teams that determine the continued success of this series. And I haven't even mentioned the wealth of other talent on display here....... enjoy!