Innocent

We've just finished watching INNOCENT on Israeli cable TV and thoroughly enjoyed this excellent four part mini-series. The first three episodes kept me spellbound and whilst the ending was somewhat contrived, it's still an excellent drama.

The excellent production has a wonderful cast and stars Lee Ingleby and a host of talented British actors. The story is set in beautiful scenery which only adds to the atmosphere. Great TV!

This excellent crime drama has just aired in New Zealand. Each episode keeps moving and new twists to the story introduced. Obviously a tragic situation with a huge impact on the affected family, but the story keeps moving to discover who is the perpetrator. I gave this a 10/10 (which is rare) simply because I was captivated to the end.

Directed by Richard Clark, Innocent is a four-part whodunit that is half by-the-book, paint-by-numbers, nothing-you-haven't-seen-before, and half superbly and realised and expansive family drama. The show begins with David Collins (Lee Ingleby) being acquitted for the murder of his wife, having already spent seven years in jail for the crime. Viewers are never left in any doubt as to Collins's innocence, which does have the unfortunate side-effect of making the characters who are convinced of his guilt seem either naive or antagonistic-by-default. Collins's quest to uncover the truth and learn why people he trusted lied during his trial is never especially gripping, with no real urgency, no major twists, and a decided sense of "is that it?"

Where the show really succeeds, however, is in the depth of Matthew Arlidge and Chris Lang's depiction of the secondary characters whose lives are changed irreparably as the effects of Collins's release ripple outward; his brother Phil (Daniel Ryan), with whom he moves in; his sister-in-law Alice (Hermione Norris), whose testimony that he beat his wife was an important factor in his conviction; her amiable husband Rob (Adrian Rawlins); DCI William Beech (Nigel Lindsay), the original lead investigator, who may (or may not) have suppressed evidence; DI Cathy Hudson (Angel Coulby), the new lead investigator, who also happens to be Beech's girlfriend; Collins's children, Jack (Fionn O'Shea) and Rosie (Eloise Webb), who were adopted by Alice and Rob after the trial; Tom Wilson (Elliot Cowan), Collins's former best friend, whose failure to provide him an alibi led to his conviction; Melissa Wilson (Hannah Britland), Tom's wife, who suspects he knows more than he's letting on; and Louise Wilson (Christine Cole), Tom's ex-wife, who left him after she discovered his affair with Melissa. Each of these characters are given a fair amount of dialogue, screen time, and character development as the show lets the whodunit plot fade somewhat into the background, and it's here where the narrative is at its most enjoyable. It's not going to change your life, but it's worth a look.

Innocent has been well worth watching. A four part story that takes you on a journey of crime, its impact on the guilty, and the innocent. Emotionally charged throughout, it was gripping, engaging and thought provoking. Clues are drip fed through, with the solution delivered late in the day, you're led up several blind alleys, and keep wondering if he's guilty or innocent.

Very well acted, Lee Ingleby is superb, as are Hermione Norris and Adrian Rawlins. How nice to have a drama transmitted over four consecutive nights, the way people view has changed, I'm certainly a binge watcher, this suited me.

I did guess the outcome in episode 1, that's my only criticism, some actors and actresses are type cast in certain roles, this was unfortunately the case. Didn't detract from the enjoyment though.

First class drama, 9/10

Well written drama that didn't have the usual plot holes or unbelievable character actions that seem to plague a lot of these series. Well acted and plausible. Maybe the final disclosure was a bit 'hurried' but none the less all the episodes kept your interest. Recommended viewing for a 'two night' binge.