Patience

While Patience is pretty good in itself I have given it just six stars as it really doesn't hold a light to the french version, Astrid: Murder In Paris.

The acting is fine but Astrid (played by Sara Mortensen) takes it to awhole new level with the idiosyncrasies and details.

The stories are the same as those from the first series of the french version but just felt a little flat with the interaction between the main characters with the Astrid cast being more connected and their humour adding a bit of fun to the whole thing.

If you haven't seen the french series I implore you to give it a try (if you can stand reading subtitles) as Sara Mortensen is an absolute joy to behold.

A good series but the episodes are a copy of the original series Astrid et Raphaele making impossible to not compare. Astrid et Raphaele are in the fifth season of a very sucessful series so will be very hard to equal it. The very obvious difference is in the visual of the main character Astrid, more young with a better appearence but I will not like to be in the place of the actor because the actor who plays the French Astrid is superb in the role. So to the people who like this series don't watch the original and have a enjoyable time. The main theme of the series is Autism and is very well portrait here.

I am told by a friend that the French/Belgian series on which this is based is a superior watch. However, as I have yet to see that original I cannot compare, and can only judge Patience on it's own merits. So, I enjoyed it. It was a little different from the run of the mill detective series, and the better for it in my humble opinion. I thought the two leads were very good indeed, and were backed by a decent supporting cast. I thought that Patience's autism was handled with sensitivity although one or two elements of her condition seemed to be magically resolved by single incidents. That didn't, for me, take anything away from my overall enjoyment. I'll watch Astrid soon so I can make the comparison.

This English version lacked poignant moments that could have been developed with the lead character, Patience.

The French / Belgian version; Astrid et Raphaëlle (Astrid on C4 UK) the lead character Astrid was played with more depth, and where you could feel her struggles.

All in all this is watchable and it was good to see the relationship develop between Patience and Detective Bea. This also showed how the main characters learned how to be understanding of Patience and tolerant towards Patience's difficulties, but also becoming more respectful of the skills that Patience could bring to the team.

Some really good casting in this version and I hope to see a second series, to see how all these characters evolve.

It's was great to see a location that was filmed outside of London.

Whilst investigating a case, DI Metcalf encounters Patience, a young employee who works at records, an autistic young woman, with a razor sharp brain and a skill for spotting patterns, Metcalf persuades Patience to join her team.

I haven't seen the original series, so I can't compare, so my words are based purely on Channel 4's series.

I was honestly blown away by the quality of this series, I genuinely wasn't expecting it to be as good as this, what a tremendous first run, my only hope is that more follow.

The best thing Channel Four have done for quite some time, it truly is a cut above.

Every single episode is beautifully crafted, clever and intriguing, what a totally refreshing series, unlike anything else on the box right now.

I've always been a fan of Laura Fraser, and she is excellent, but this series is stolen by the sublime performance of Ella Maisy Purvis, who is genuinely sensational as Patience, acting of the highest order.

I love seeing Patience developing, and seeing an increase in her confidence as the series develops, if you have anyone close to you, who is autistic, you'll see some indicators, I certainly do.

Please Channel four, we need more.

9/10.