User reviews

Pretty good show,entertaining even if not factual. Houdini was married by 1894 and didn't meet Doyle until much later. It's sort of like watching a live version of Scooby Doo. What seems like supernatural causes turns out to be the equivalent of a a guy in a rubber mask with just a hint of doubt that maybe something really strange could be going on. Sets are a little too nice for London at the turn of the century. Modern music is often used in scenes but somehow it works. Cotumes are pretty good. The characters are likable and the acting is generally very good. I especially like that they did not make the chief inspector a total buffoon as it first seemed.

This series are by far, the most amazing and interesting ones. I literally watched the whole 10 episodes nonstop in a row, and I'm proud of it. My eyes just lighted up when I saw the Season 1, and I've to say that I want more! That's mainly why I'm writing this review, because I want and need more! I've come addicted to these TV series, and I love it! I simply loved the "Episode 3: In Manus Dei", the drama on it actually made me cry, and I don't cry much on drama movies, or drama TV series, but this one got me good. I'm currently watching Person Of Interest, but it's ending on Season 5, which I'm currently on (waiting for further episodes) and I need other series to watch. Houdini and Doyle sounds just right type of series to fill that empty space!

The best way to describe this series is X-files meets Downton Abbey. Personally, I'm a fan of stories that mix history in fiction, so perhaps I'm bias in its favor, but there are several aspects of this series which are successful.

The show's premise is actually fairly straight forward. The characters of Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle team up with a plucky female detective from Scotland Yard in order to solve a series of cases. Naturally, each of mysteries have what appear to be some element of the supernatural. Most of the stories also touch on the personal struggles of the two leads, so watching from the beginning will enhance your ability to to follow and enjoy each episodes.

What really makes this series are the actors. In addition to having really talented leads, the cast is strong overall. Perhaps it's just me, but I am sick to death of reality TV and hackneyed sit-coms. Consequently, getting to watch actors who actually know how to act is, for me, more valuable than ever.

Another thing that makes this very enjoyable to watch is its visual appeal. The costumes and set designs are very well done and, even if not always historically accurate, evocative of a romantic and bygone era.

The stories themselves are fast-paced and fairly intricate by today's standards. They also blend fantasy and reality in a way that's pretty darn appealing.

Although billed as a mini-series, if this show doesn't get a second run it will be a shame. It's charming, beautiful, and very watchable.

This reminds me of Ioan Gruffudd's Forever (2014-15), an edgy, yet cozy, murder mystery story that has likable performers, and is filled with anachronisms and good taste in clothing. (Except Conan Doyle's suits, which get louder as the series goes on, a possible sign of growing confidence in the characterization of the character.)

The hook is that Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have partnered to solve murders that have some connection to the supernatural and/or spiritual. It's set in the wrong time period for Houdini and Doyle to have been associated. A choice was made to make it Edwardian rather than in the more accurate 1920s. They use modern language and the modern music is intentionally unsettling. The series relies heavily on the old theater maxim of "a willing suspension of disbelief."

And it's highly entertaining. The actors are personable and talented. It's definitely an ensemble cast that works well together. The sets and costumes are well done (suitable for the time period),and highly detailed.

The story line doesn't explore any real substantial questions of politics, culture, war, or social values...yet. It's enjoyable, mindless entertainment, excellently done, with great potential for more robust story lines. Although the episodes might not have been filmed in the release-date order, the staging, story, and characters appeared to mature as the first season progressed.

But there is one travesty: They do a disservice to a good actor, and to women everywhere, by not giving their excellent female star better billing.

I've just got to the end of the first series and I'm really hoping there's going to be more.

When I started to watch this I wasn't expecting great things. In actual fact I only watched because of 2 things, I love Conan Doyle and Stephen was good as Dirk Gently.

I quickly have become a fan of this great show. The writing is superb and the sets and costumes are well done but not so elaborate they detract from the characters or the stories.

I love the way the characters are written and the actors play them very well. I particularly found Houdini cast extremely well with many complex layers to the personality showing through. Stephens portrayal of Doyle was also admirable with the nods to the techniques and skills that he used to create his character Sherlock giving the fans the homage they craved.

I will say if you are watching this series then please try not to see it as a Sherlock or a Penny Dreadful show. It is basically a murder mystery encompassing characters that are able to give it an entertaining twist. Take it with fresh eyes and enjoy it for the excellent show it is.

It's the start of the 20th century London. Harry Houdini (Michael Weston) is a cynic and a famous performer. Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan) is the famed writer of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. They are best of friends and opposite in philosophy. They collaborate to investigate cases with supernatural aspects. The police is dismissive and assigns them the first female constable Adelaide Stratton (Rebecca Liddiard) as their liaison.

I really like the relationship between the men and with Adelaide. I like all three actors. This should work better. The production is inferior. The lighting is too bright. It doesn't have the feel. I also don't like going to the new world in the last couple of episodes. It doesn't fit. It would have been better if they go to Scotland. The bromance is great but everything else is a step below.

If you watch this show, don't think too much into it. Yes, it's been done before. Yes, it's basically just ripping off the real Houdini and Doyle.

BUT it's cute and quirky. I happened to start watching it because there was nothing better on TV, and I'm glad I did. The script is pretty good. The dialogue is a little too modern, I think, but come on, it's a detective show with Houdini. Can't expect it to be accurate.

What it is is fun. So neat to watch a reimagining of the time period. And there is a great deal of chemistry between the actors. I felt immersed in the story. Would definitely recommend if you want to have a laugh and appreciate imaginative story lines.

The drama opens in 1901 London , shortly after the publication of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Great Boer War . At the turn of the 20th century the Metropolitan Police were overwhelmed with bizarre cases so they turned to outsiders including Houdini and Doyle , who collaborated with New Scotland Yard on some unsolved and inexplicable crimes . Then the world-famous magician Harry Houdini (Michael Weston) and a legendary detective writer Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan) join forces to carry out a fundamental mission : Catching killers , a main issue that is elementary to them . Houdini and Doyle become involved in the investigation of several mysterious deaths . Along the way they are supported by an intelligent female cop , Adelaide Stratton (Rebecca Liddiard) , Scotland Yard's first woman constable . As they investigate several cases , such as : The death of a murdered nun at a convent ; as protagonists get involved when a boy claims he is the reincarnation of a man whom he says Belworth murdered ; as they find out an issue about a faith healer who appears to have a great power when a heckler drops dead at one of the healer's public sessions ; the death of a motorcar entrepreneur that is initially attributed to a mysterious dark demon ; when the housemaid of Doyle's old friend Bram Stoker is murdered with a stake through the heart , suspicions arise that Stoker may either be the killer or a vampire ; when the duo confronting a travelling medium who uses her powers to help the local police find a missing girl ; when they find a murderous poltergeist in Canada, encountering Thomas Edison and when a young man wakes up naked in a burned out circle claiming that his wife was kidnapped by aliens . And , finally , the trio investigate a small town where almost everyone died simultaneously with no visible cause.

Exciting and charming series formed by 10 episodes , one season , it premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom March 2016 and in which Houdini/Michael Weston and Doyle/Stephen Mangan form a sympathetic and attractive couple . It is in fact true that Arthur Conan Doyle was friend for some time with Harry Houdini . In fact they attempted to discover fakes , false mediums , frauds Spiritualist psychics , scheming clairvoyants and Houdini was really convinced that Spiritualist mediums employed trickery . Although Arthur Conan became convinced that Houdini himself has supernatural powers , but Harry was apparently unable to convince Doyle that his feats were simply illusions , leading to a bitter public falling out between the two . The series relies on the different , opposite characters , as Harry Houdini is a rational skeptic and atheist whereas Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle is a believer in the paranormal and supernatural . They argue over whether the causes are natural or supernatural , and often bet on the cause , which causes their police liaison , Constable Adelaide Stratton/Rebecca Liddiard , some embarrassment and angry . Furthermore , in the series appears a lot of notorious secondary players , such as : Tim McInnerny , Diana Quick , Nathan Stewart , Laura Fraser , Ewen Bremmer as Sherlock Holmes , Louise Delamere : real-life wife to Stephen Mangan , and Paul Ritter as Bram Stoker and James Flett as Doyle's father , among others. The series was well set and shot on stages at The Space Project in Manchester . The series originally created by David Hoselton and David N. Titcher was well directed by Stephen Hopkins , Robert Lieberman , Jeff Renfroe , Edward Bazalgette and Daniel O'Hara .

Honestly, this show is not supposed to make sense. It's suppose to entertain the view, and that's exactly what it does. Houdini and Doyle, send a time before ours, is really a great show. It's great entertainment for the family. I love the suspense, and their mysteries with a paranormal slant. I like American Houdini paired with proper Doyle. I admit that I do hid behind a cushion from time to time, so there is sufficient thrills. I like that is all wraps up in a hour. I also love how all the characters seem to know each other, that Houdini knows great inventors in America, and Doyle knows famous authors in England. I like that both men are likable. It's not a pretentious show. I feel that it can last as long as Murdoch mysteries, if done right. So far, great first season.

Entertaining series that reminds me a lot of Murdoch Mysteries but with better sets and effects. BUT what REALLY bugs me is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character because he has a south England accent whereas in real life he was Scottish. Every time he opens his mouth it irritates me no end.

I do enjoy the Houdini character and am pleased that he is played by a real American actor.

Love the Canadian actress who plays the feisty and strong police constable even though I'm pretty sure there were no female police officers back then.

However, I do hope the series does well in the ratings and gets renewed.

I was in free fall after the brilliant first season of Lucifer ended, only to be replaced with what looked like a Sherlock knock-off about Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini. What?

The first episode was a bit jarring, to be sure. Just kind of silly and ephemeral. You know? I know nothing about Harry Houdini. I do know a little about Conan Doyle because I've read all of his Sherlock stories. I didn't quite get it at first.

I thought the pilot odd and quirky. It kind of reminded me of the Murdoch Mysteries because it felt so "light weight" -- all air, no substance. But then... the show started to grow on me. I continued watching it and I started to appreciate the writing -- especially the snarky Houdini (he's given some of the best lines, dissing Canadians and bigots, for example, but really Doyle and Adeleide have great lines, too). Both the actor who plays Houdini and the actor who plays Doyle take their roles seriously and do a great job -- no matter that the premise itself is just kind of goofy.

And, in fact, it seems all of the people involved in making this show take their jobs seriously. It's quite good on many different levels, including the production values as well as the writing and acting.

I set my DVR.

And then we had episode four -- Spring-Heel'd Jack -- and I sat up and took notice. Now this is really quite good. The main mystery was excellent. There are some continuing subplots that are compelling. I was appreciating the characters more and more. There really seems to be chemistry between the three leads. And they are not one-dimensional but fairly interesting individuals.

This isn't great TV, but it is far more entertaining to watch than stupid reality shows. And I believe there's lots of promise here.

I keep thinking here at the end of ten episodes what's the use of writing this review if Fox is just going to cancel the show after the first season. But, hey. At least I am taking a stand. I really don't have anything terribly negative to say about it. The show falls into that amazing category of re-imagined fiction -- Robin Hood, Dracula, The Musketeers, Hannibal... they are really fun. And this show is fun. The TV version of comfort food. What could be better during a blisteringly hot summer?

I think I watched all the available episodes to me in the span of a couple days. My favorite murder mystery show was canceled just a month ago and this show really brought me back to my happy place. Episodes 7 and 8 of the season were incredibly entertaining and yet also heartbreaking with a focus on the family dynamics of Doyle and Houdini. All of the scenes are nicely shot and the musical accompaniment to the episodes matched the mood and theme of the show but also stood out as more than just background music. I really hope the show gets renewed, even though I probably won't get to see a second season in the U.S. until next May. Whatever will I do until then? Read, I guess. ;)

Very good show! I really liked it and I'm very disappointed that there is no SEASON 2 and not a single word is said about making one! The characters, the plot, the costumes, the whole idea of this show and the actors are great! I felt like I was really there with them! Someone should consider to make season 2 with the same actors and I'm sure there are people who can do that!! For me this show deserves another season and I doubt that I'm the only one who thinks like that!!

After the first episode, I was not entirely sure I wanted to watch it. At first I thought it was a little bland and slow but after watching the second episode I was addicted. I look forward to the episode every week to see what crime and/or mystery the characters will be dealing with next. The show is extremely well written with extraordinary plots. The plot pulls you in and you can't let go. The characters are easy to love. The three main characters show wonderful chemistry. With the suspense of the show comes perfectly timed comedy and historic truths. It blends history with the supernatural to create a perfect plot. It is a must-watch show for everyone that enjoys crime dramas, history or the supernatural. The show is really something special that you will not find with any other show. I am so glad I gave this show a chance because it has become my new favourite.

Stupid serial for fem and housewife! Consteble-woman in start of 20th and afroamerican nun, really?

I have to say I wasn't sure what to think when I watched the first episode but by the second episode I found myself waiting for the next episode each week. I am so very disappointed that they are not renewing this series as the show and writing were excellent. I love the characters in this and the acting is great. It was a nice change to have a well written mystery in where you actually have to think and that it didn't require blood and guts as a filler. Also, a show where a person could actually hear the dialogue over the music - take note Blindspot - is a real treat. The cancellation of this show is a major disappointment....please rethink this decision Fox as I don't believe a fair amount of time was given to this series.

I loved the series and it is a shame that is was cancelled after only one season.

Contrived and uncomfortable drama where the writer has tried to meld lated 19th century early 20t characters and story with 21st century political correctness , unsuccessfully.