Scott and Bailey - Series 1 [DVD]

This is a brand new six part TV series which covers the workings of the Manchester Metropolitan Police, specifically the Major Incident Team. The main idea behind the series is the interaction between the two overworked female DCs, Rachel Bailey and Janet Scott who are quite different people but who complement each other to great effect. Although they are great friends, fairly regular disagreements are a feature of their relationship. Janet is a very steady, older character in her forties, whilst Rachel is younger and more impetuous and comes up with the inspirational ideas. We learn about the personal lives of the pair of them which adds interest and impacts on their work. This contrasts the series with the likes of Law & Order: UK - Series 1-4 [DVD], where it is all strictly professional and we find out little about the individuals.

In the first episode Rachel is seriously upset about being dumped by her married lover, Nick who continues to feature as the series progresses in an increasingly prominent role. Rachel's detection skills were obviously lacking as they had been going out for two years and it had escaped her notice that he was married with kids which seems a tad unlikely. Their first case seems to somewhat mirror Rachel's personal life as it involves a guy cheating on his wife whose girlfriend is found hanged. The various murders investigated by the pair have interesting twists. One involves a possible murder of her spouse by wife and boyfriend, just lacking a body whilst another concerns a serial killer whose activities go back as far as 40 years!

All this makes for highly entertaining viewing. It is well acted by the two leads played by Lesley Sharp and Suranne Jones. However, their feisty boss, DI Gill Murray, played by Amelia Bullmore, also has a very key role in the series. The many fans of Scott and Bailey will be pleased to know that an additional series is already planned. You almost groan inwardly when yet another cop series hits the screen, but this one is sufficiently distinctive to make it well worth viewing. If you missed the TV series the DVD includes a short 'Behind the Scenes' bonus.

This is one of the rare detective series which features women in most of the main roles. The characters are well rounded and interact well with each other. It is riveting both from a personal point of view (each character is a real cameo) and from a "crime solution" point of view. I generally prefer British crime fiction to American CSI type stuff and this one stands up to scrutiny. It is quite realistic (obviously there is a little poetic licence but not to the extent of Luther where you have to suspend belief after every advert break) and keeps you on the edge of your chair till the end.
I look forward to seeing the next series

I missed one of the episodes when watching this Scott and Bailey [DVD] on terrestrial TV, so, as I liked what I'd seen thus far, I bought the series.

Oh Boy (to quote the late, great Buddy Holly), was I glad I did. A very, very good series with strong characters extremely well played by the two stars, Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp. Having seen the series, I now can't imagine anyone else in those roles.

I also felt that (something I don't often say in a review) the writer(s) deserve a lot of praise for both the story line and the characterisations. For a change, they weren't based around the Cagney and Lacey type characters with one overly strong willed and the other very feminine.

Well done to all - Now, another series PLEASE and don't make us wait too long!!!