User reviews

I went into this series without knowing anything about it, not even watching a trailer of it. The show is quite easy to binge in 3-4 hours, not only because there are only 8 episodes (each episode being only 24 minutes long), but also because each episode manages to keep you fulfilled while making you want more.

First off, the performances were great -- not to mention the chemistry between each of the actors. Idris Elba's character 'Charlie' felt most genuine and believable (also likeable) primarily because the character is somewhat based on certain aspects of Elba, and it always feels like Elba has the freedom to be himself during each scene (which is a refreshing thing to see, honestly).

The other actors were good too, particularly Frankie Hervey who plays the little girl 'Gab' -- a character who 'Charlie' is assigned manny to. Despite being a spoilt brat, the character manages to not get on the viewers' nerves but rather make get them to empathise with her.

The screenplay is nothing extraordinary, but doesn't need to be. It's surprisingly to the point, while covering each characters' point of view and leaving enough intrigue for possible future seasons. Despite disagreements among every character, you can still understand that they're somewhat right in their own way -- which is a rather difficult spot to hit while writing drama.

I'm glad that the show avoids certain clichés that I had predicted, clichés that you'd often find in series/films of similar genre.

Other than that, I was hoping the show would also delve a bit more into the protagonist's backstory and the reason for his passion of being a DJ, along with incorporating music more creatively into the visual storytelling instead of merely being a plot tool to further the story. I'm hoping they delve more into the backstory and the DJ aspects of the story in future seasons, along with being a lot more creative in its cinematography and editing.

This was a refreshing new show and easy to binge in a week. I just wish the ending wasn't so abrupt. Surely a season 2 then?

So, as others have mentioned, this isn't the most deep, nuanced, complex plot in the world, but I don't think that all series are supposed to deliver that. I almost watched all episodes in one go because it put a big smile on my face. I soon started to feel for the characters. Watch it folks, with a nice glass of wine, or whatever you fancy. Enjoy!

I feel a little bad for Idris because he is a great actor but his fault for going ahead with a bland, mediocre script. If it wouldn't have had 8 short episodes would have given up after first two probably but I continued until the end. I did this in the hope that it would turn into something more but then the end credits came up and my hopes died.

Don't know where to place it because it's not a good comedy, it's not a good drama, it's not a good coming of age movie, it's not a good romantic movie, it's.... nowhere. Ok to waste some time on a rainy, cold Saturday but if you start watching it, do so with low expectations!

Binged it in one day. Can't watch it without smiling.

I'll tell you what. A TV show really has to try to make all the support characters as unlikeable as possible, but this show managed to do it with ease... And not in a good way. Idris Elba is the one decent thing in this watch and I just wish the focus would've been more on his rise than on the bratty one note rich kid, and her stereotypical wealthy negligent parents.

I'm a big fan of Idris Elba, and many others in this show. But, the little girl is fantastic. The interaction between her character and Charlie is excellent. It's a funny show that is light and easy to watch. Better than many other shows out there. Worth a second season.

Lots criticising this but it's a bit of lighthearted fun - the kid is great and great to see Idris Elba in a comical role - people need to lighten up and just enjoy it for what it is 😁

This great light hearted series with some characters you don't see portrayed often enough in British entertainment - and well done. Also great to see Elba acting in the Charlie character, does it brilliantly as you'd expect. There are a few formulaic bits but good enough to enjoy overall.

I have an image that all British comedies are great. This proved me wrong.

It's ok, a nice diversion. But it's a bit formulaic, the familiar story in an updated setting. There's a bit of a touch of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous which adds a bit of glamour to the viewing. But perhaps it's got enough American content to be called an American comedy - and on that standard, ok.

Really liked seeing Idris Elba in a more comedic role.

Surely conceived as another opportunity for Idris Elba to play the part of Idris Elba, the standout performances come from young Frankie Hervey as young Gabrielle and Jocelyn Jee Esien hamming it up as as Elba's Aunt Lydia.

Elba has only minimal acting ability (I'm trying hard to be kind here) but his warmth and general likeability come across well - he plays Charlie, a faded 1980s DJ trying to relaunch his career.

Perhaps the most surprising piece of casting was American actor JJ Feild as David, Gabrielle's British father, who performance as Charlie's former classmate in an inner London school was highly credible, with not even a hint of a Dick Van Dyke 'Cockney' accent.

Endearing and enjoyable.

I put this on my watch list because I love Idris Elba. The 11 year old child in the series is so obnoxious and disrespectful that I am not certain that I can stomach any further episodes. Also as others have stated, unrealistic.

I like Idris and I want to support a British sitcom with a primarily black cast as those aspects are totally awesome but the series is mediocre at best. Like the other review, I blasted through the season as the episodes are so short but I did wonder at times if it was in the 'so bad it's good' territory or the 'it starts to feel better because you've a excepted it's bad' territory. I like the premise but it's execution falls short. If you like Idris and retro house/garage/dance give it a go. If you like Dawsons Creek style children talking like intelligent brooding adults give it a go. And if you want to see Idris wear a pink hoodie, give it a go.

Ok... so I wasn't even gonna watch this, because the trailer made it look below average. I decided to trial the first episode and... I was hooked! Idris Elba is a POWERHOUSE -- The man can do no wrong!! This show just showcases how versatile he is as an actor; I'm not sure this show would have worked, with anybody else, but he manages to pull it off, in style. Bloody brilliant!!

Sorry.......terrible ego trip.....so over-rated. I really do not wish to be a troll or a negative critic, but I cannot help it.....this is awful

The new original Netflix series Turn Up Charlie checks up any thinkable cliche romantic comedy/indie movie scene while maintaining the "Netflix" feel of a series with its rushed narrative, the inclusion of LGBT presence, colorful cinematography and its weird vibe all over. However, the hinted chemistry between Idris Elba and Piper Perabo clearly delivers through the screen which keeps the audience continuing on watching. The performance of Idris Elba is unfortunately undermined by the averageness of the characters, the storyline and the script at hand.

Overall, the autobiographical (!) series partly created by (DJ) Idris Elba will most probably be the next in line for a binge-watch on the weekend.

A different kind of show on TV!

I love the comedy level in this. All characters are a bit different to one another, but they mix up perfectly. Even that stupid boy Hunter. The speed is also apropriate. It isn't long and boring or to fast. Hope to see a lot more to this show and shows lile this in the future. Writers and producers really nailed it!

Turn it up Charlie is a 2019 comedy drama starring Idris Elba as the leading character. Features 1 season 8 episodes.

After seeing the trailer on Netflix I thought it looks pretty decent and I do like Idris Elba be nice to see him playing a different character in a comedy/ drama other than action and thrillers.

The story line a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor Charlie becomes a manny to his friends daughter. A very different storyline but it worked was little slow to start with but if you keep with it does get better it had comedy not loads but some. If you think there is a lot of music then you will be disappointed it's not about that it's about him as a person and what goes on in his life.

I throughly enjoyed it was nice seeing Idris Elba playing a different character he is a sensational actor and can play any part also he is one handsome man lol. In fact all the cast were good I was very surprised how good it was.

So if you want a light hearted comedy drama and like Idris Elba then watch this I'm sure you will love it and you can binge watch them as only on for 25 mins.

Does contain bad language.

Sit back and enjoy streaming on Netflix right now.

Idris does a great job in this role. Great one liners throughout the series and a nice balance of comedy and drama to even things out. Story arc and Characters are well written. It gave me that rollercoaster of emotions that had me laughing out loud one minute then yelling at my tv the next. Probably one of the better series i've watched on Netflix!

This is indeed a very lighthearted, enjoyable show. But, that's that I'm afraid. Yes, you'll probably binge-watch the whole season and it will put a smile on your face but, in the end, you'll find that sth is missing. In other words, the show does a good job of drawing you in but it leaves you unfulfilled. And, it's a shame because the actors' performances are rather good, especially that of Frankie Hervey who is truly a revelation. I guess, in the end, it falls short beacause of the cliché themes left unexplored a bit further.

We watched the first few episodes last night, even though we totally cannot relate to what the show calls a DJ, or what they refer to as music. The characters are real and relatable (not a word, is it?) and funny. The show itself is entertaining. The precocious Gabs is very good. The scenes move, and even though we don't know a lot of the references, the people remain human, and that is what makes this work. I knew we wanted to see this just because of Mr. Elba, and we were so happily surprised to see him do something so light, so well. Piper Perabo was a pleasant surprise, especially for my wife, who really liked "Covert Affairs." We will finish binging the rest of this first season ASAP, and hope for more.

Quirky concept with mix of good and bad sides of life! Fun to watch characters revealing what's under! Lots of storylines to work with! Good characters to play! Bring on season 2

I gave it 2 stars because you can always count on Idris Elba to give a great performance. I just wish he'd had some good material to work with. This is trying so hard to be "woke" on so many different levels it's annoying. Kept watching to see if it would get better but the writing is terrible. Super sorry it wasn't better.

Having knowing nothing about this series prior to watching and not watching the trailer or reading too much if the synopsis. It was a decent watch and quite short (only 8 episodes) where it's easy to watch the entire series in a few days (or less). It starts off relatively slow then does get better as each episode.

Nothing too special but something more so pass the time. The comedy isn't very clever or anything quite we haven't seen but it seems like Edris Elba was enjoying his character, and the chemistry between him and the little girl of Gabriela are the highlights.