Crime drama The Chelsea Detective whisks us to an upscale area of London—an area once home to the likes of the Beatles and other fabulous 1970s celebs—where protagonist Detective Inspector Max Arnold solves crimes with pitbull determination and grit.
Off hours, he lives on a riverboat—newly alone—on his way to a divorce he doesn’t want. His personal life includes continual difficulties on the River Thames from losing electricity to the demands of a disintegrating marriage.
Adrian Scarborough plays the lead inspector. He’s an everyday bloke, but this actor hasn’t been an everyday bloke in his career. Scarborough has appeared in such gems as Gosford Park, The King’s Speech, and 1917, and has garnered awards in theater. The co-protagonist in Season 1 was Detective Sergeant Priya Shamsie (Sonita Henry), who is replaced in Season 2 by Detective Sergeant Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme).
Deaf actor Sophie Stone adds texture to her role as Chief Forensics Officer Ashley Wilton. Stone’s career spans film, theater, and TV, including Doctor Who. Longtime BBC and ITV director Peter Fincham is the story’s creator.
The series began in February 2022. Each season carries four episodes, with a third season promised. Compelling storylines take us from famous art galleries and schools to manor houses. Sometimes, though, the plot tries a little too hard to surprise us and doesn’t properly plant what becomes the crime’s solution.
That said, I like ambling along with this middle-aged protagonist who is weighed down with the world as he solves crimes. (Acorn TV)
About the Author
Cynthia Beach is the author of the novel The Surface of Water and Creative Juices for Writers. She is a longtime English professor at Cornerstone University and cofounder of Scriptoria: An Interfaith Writing Workshop with Gary Schmidt (scriptoriaworkshop.org). Visit her at cynthiabeach.com.