Law & Order: UK

My concern prior to watching this was that the pace and the story wouldn't adapt well to the UK style - The Bill is quite plodding and small scale, but I was pleasantly surprised that, whilst intimate, L&OUK was paced superbly and kept me gripped 'til the end.

The only real gripe is that the DAHDAH's aren't used much....and that titles at each end seem out of keeping with the show: I suppose I'm used to the US version after so many years...

On the Law side Jamie Bamber, using his native accent, was fracking good, but Bradley Walsh was the absolute surprise hit for me: he's an ex-professional footballer (soccer star) who is known as a bit of a naff comic and when he's acted before you see BW not the character - not in this though...

The Order side familiar actors are again viewed as the characters rather than 'oooh he/she was in...' I think this is testament to a great, tight script More of the same please!

Like an earlier poster, I've never watched any of the bewildering array of either CSI or Law and Order series. In fact, I haven't watched a US cop show since NYPD Blue and I haven't seen a US courtroom drama since the days of dear old Perry Mason so I have no idea how this UK version compares and nor do I care.

All I know is that this is an entertaining and engrossing drama. The stories feature different crimes, not just murder after murder and the good guys don't always win. Bradley Walsh is a revelation, Jamie Bamber is virtually unrecognisable after playing Apollo and Bill Paterson has never turned in a bad performance.

Excellent stuff

I will always have a fondness for the US Law & Order shows, and at first I was not sure whether I would like Law & Order:UK. I thought it wouldn't be paced well and wouldn't adapt easily either, a concern I see is shared by other reviewers. So it was a surprise when it worked superbly. It is grittier than the US series and some of it is even more compelling.

At the start there were some slight problems in the dialogue and acting, with some of the writing a tad lumpy and the characters not as well explored as they are now which affected some of the support acting as was to be expected, but it has gotten much better over time. The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking now, and I love the acting of Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber and Harriet Walter. The support characters aren't explored as well as the leads, but are acted very well and they and their stories maintain interest.

The pacing is quite good as well, it goes at a moderate pace without feeling too quick or slow. And the story lines are just great too, they are compelling and induce thought and I loved the format of half- police investigation and half-trial and that both parts of each episode are written excellently with the courtroom scenes marginally better in terms of acting.

The camera-work is what makes the show grittier than its US counterpart, while the lighting and locations have great, atmospheric shades to them and the music never feels over-bearing and the main theme is very memorable. Overall, this is a gritty, compelling and great series. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I am watching these again,sadly the drama is not made anymore. The only thing I don't like about it is that the stories are remakes of American stories. But I love the complicated plots and the acting. The cast in each episode is good. The regular cast are excellent. Bradley Walsh plays cop Ronnie Brooks a great character. This is gritty and educational.

I am an American do I have seen the original series which I love also but this is terrific too. One of my favorite actors, Jamie Bamber is on it along with a top notch complete cast. The stories are very similar to ours but I like the creativity that is used to put a twist on them. They are all very interesting and intriguing. If you're a Law & Order fan, you will love these exciting UK shows.