Is the hunt over?

tomsview

Part of the reason I liked this three-part series is that I miss those brilliant British detective series such as "Wallander", "Lewis", "Vera", "Shetland" and "DCI Banks", while not forgetting "Hinterland" where Tom Mathias seems even more in need of anti-depressants than Kurt Wallander.

Where did they all go? My TV viewing is diminished without them. I've been waiting for something to take their place.

"Manhunt" has many of the qualities that made those series so watchable. A difference is that it is based on a real case: the hunt in London for the killer of a young French woman that uncovers something far more.

Like those shows I loved, "Manhunt" concentrates more on methodical police procedure than on over-the-top shootouts or squealing tyres. But more significantly, it has depth of character. Martin Clunes as DCI Colin Sutton heads the task force hunting the killer. He is no-nonsense, but nowhere near as abrupt as his Aspergerish character in "Doc Martin".

Colin Sutton has a heart, he's a dad; he gets the pain the parents of the victim must be feeling. He demands they be informed face to face that their daughter is dead - not told over the phone as the French police plan to do.

There are other little touches that show his compassion. Here is the key ingredient that makes the best series work. The main character has empathy. No matter how tough the exterior, they can relate to what people are going through - although in his dedication to the job Colin does neglect his family a bit too much.

"Manhunt" ticks another box. Colin has a colleague who has his back - the buddy if you like. In this case it's Katie Lyons as DS Jo Blunt. She stands up for her boss when other members of the team doubt his methods

The series has an authentic look. Shot on the streets as weary men and women spend hours searching for clues. But it's the relentless combing through miles of CCTV footage and supermarket dockets that finally pays off.

It's a classy effort all round with a low-key background score by Niall Byrne setting an ominous mood.

There is another series coming in 2020. However at three short episodes a season I'm not sure it will totally break the drought.

score 9/10

tomsview 18 April 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4789291/