Hope Street

Like some of the reviewers, I found the first episode cringe-worthy. There were many clangers. It's hard to be objective when watching locally produced TV. Lots of cliches.

However, three episodes in and it's trying to find it's groove.

As Northern Irish, I am happy to see a BBC drama based here and not about orange and green. I think the acting is mostly good. Donaghadee looks great.

I'd add that the show needs to decide what it is. At the moment it's skimming over gritty issues like people trafficking, while creating silly humour between the older characters and a portrayal of a naive constable. Maybe it's identity will evolve over the remaining episodes.

Overall, let's give it some encouragement. Shouldn't we nurture local talent and programmes about our country?

I don't know; I liked it. I'm a huge fan of the dark and beautifully intense British shows that one reviewer talked about watching on a dreary overcast day but you could clearly tell from the trailer, this wasn't that kind of show. I check out trailers before I invest in a show. Anyway yes, it doesn't have the dark depth of Crime or Line of Duty. It's lighter and "easier". There doesn't seem to be the multiple deceptive plots which is kind of nice for a change. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, but it's a nice change of pace. Tonight I'm sure I'll be watching something with gloriously deep and twisted motives and so forth. But this will be in my back pocket to pull out often when I need to exhale.

I enjoy watching this show as a break from the hardcore crime I often get caught up in watching. The town is a beautiful spot, shown vividly in the aerials at the start of each program and there is a cast of characters that you might see in any small location where people all know one another. Finn, the head of the local police, is a smart, down to earth guy with an on-again off-again marriage, who struggles with PTSD and the demon whiskey. His mother Concepta is the town busybody who takes on all comers who don't toe the line, as she sees it. Make no mistake, there is crime but it's the crime they can deal with because everyone knows everyone else and it doesn't take long to nab the culprit. After a few viewings, you get to know them all and enjoy watching the cast as much as the stories.

Please don't judge this on the first two episodes. It gets much better, and by episode five it tootles along nicely.

The temptation to switch off is almost irresistible at the start when several seasoned actors (who should know better) ham it up and let everyone else down. They eventually calm down and remember to act for modern television rather than an amateur stage. It is interesting to see the dynamic between three key relationships. In each one a strong, nuanced performer is paired with someone doing exaggerated slapstick. Perhaps that's intentional but I'm my opinion it doesn't work well.

Very well done to the crew who must have had great patience to film almost exclusively in sunny weather. Sun, sea and sand make it a show to look forward to.

If you've given up, please tune in and stick with it.

I enjoyed the first episode. I like the bright filming. So many of today's shows are dark even during the daylight. The sound is good but the Irish accent is difficult to understand a lot of the time. It will be interesting to follow the series and see how the characters develop and to learn the real reason why the new detective has come to town and why the sergeant is so against the new hire. The program has a winner in the setting. The setting is a great change from the usual stuff we see.

I cannot understand why the program is getting such harsh reviews. The story is realistic and the acting seems to be top rate. I do wish though that the director would fill up the teacups. There is nothing worse than actors pretending to drink from empty cups.