Holding

Sergeant PJ Collins has his hands full when a body is uncovered, believed to be that of a man who vanished some years ago.

I can see why many of the reviews are negative, had I only stuck with the first two episodes, I'd have been a dissenter too, however, if you stick with it, and see the last two installments, you'll be pleasantly surprised, it has a massive upturn in quality.

The story does take a little time to come to life, and in the first two episodes, you'll be struggling to understand exactly what it is, however it transforms I to a light hearted, engaging murder mystery.

The acting is the best aspect, Conleith Hill and Siobhan McSweeney are both terrific throughout, both manage to make their respective characters very ordinary, but very real, they really do deliver. Look out for a knockout performance in episode three from Brenda Fricker, she is first rate.

Amazing visuals, if you've ever been lucky enough to travel to Cork, you'll know first hand how glorious it is, it's breathtaking.

Give it a chance, it eventually won me over, 7/10.

I'm only up to episode 3 and it's dangerous to review modern thrillers before the final episode because they usually fall apart. One thing that stands out in Holding is that the actors are given the opportunity to act. Episode 3 is worth watching just for the scene where Brenda Fricker's character talks about her past. Better than average (so far).

I read in one review that the accents were wrong. Really? Which? Protagonist is from the north east. One PC is Dublin. Several have authentic Cork with natural lilting inflection. Not everyone in a town will be born there y'know.

Brenda Frickers ' monologue', a masterful lesson in unraveling a history. Again, so authentic I could be listening to my mother/aunt/elderly friend.

Woke? Pffft. Wake up and look beyond the obvious and you might find gold.

There are so many negative reviews but I actually loved it. Maybe my Irish background helped. I loved the Irish humour in it. Just don't take it too seriously.

I thought this was terrific with great characters. I'm on the west coast of Scotland rather than in Ireland but I recognise the setting and attitudes and find them all to be believable.maybe you have to have a rural Celtic or Northern background to fully appreciate the mild humour and the secrets and the shame etc.

I also enjoyed seeing people, especially the women, who look real with real looks and figures - normal, pleasant, naturally attractive people and no one tottering around in farms and in the countryside in high heels. And it was great to see a mature romance between less than svelte people.

I very much hope there will be a second series.