Outlaws

There's been quite a lot of nice stuff written about this programme, about how dazzlingly stylish and witty it is. Now that's all true, but what really makes it stand out is that it's probably the most accurate portrayal of the criminal justice system yet to hit our televisions.

Steve Coombes, the creator, spent a good deal of time hanging around police stations and magistrates courts so he could find out what happens and bring it to our screens. So what we have isn't your normal crime show's clever criminal gangs, but a succession of hopeless drug addicts and neglected kids. The big fish might occasionally show up, but are easily distinguished by the fact they get to walk.

Into this world are thrown a few characters: Dunbar, the cynical, amoral one; Gulliver, the idealistic rookie and Sarah Beckenham, the tough, ball-breaking career woman. So far so cliché, but the wave of coolness and comedy, not to mention the nigh-perfect casting, keep Outlaws from feeling tired.

If you want a frivolous comedy, this show is not for you. If you want one of the best exposés of the last 20 years, watch this.

Why this never got a second series is a mystery. On the other hand being a 12 episode gem, may have mad this a cult classic.

Not for the faint-hearted, this show will rip you guts out. Phil Daniels gives his best performance since Quadrophenia.

The whole cast is spot on perfect, from; Ray Emmet Brown- Theodore Gulliver Georgia Mackenzie- Sarah Beckenham Annabelle Apsion- CS Ross Craig Parkinson- Spinky Sutherland

...down to the real life criminals. Or are they?

Perfect television.

I have just watched all the episodes of this amazing show for about the 5th time and it gets better with every view, Phil Daniels is truly mesmerising as Dunbar, really is the performance of his brilliant acting career, the writing is sublime, all the acting is perfect and how this didn't get a second series is totally beyond me,too close to the truth? BBC being blind (or as Dunbar would say, Blunkett's!) ? I just can't believe it was shelved after one series, it's one of the biggest mysteries of TV drama history, everything about the show is spot on, the music is bang on, the story lines impeccable, and once again the acting was just perfection, the casting was truly inspired .

Bring Back Outlaws, you know it makes sense ...