Series one of Law & Order: UK was given a tough grilling by some critics, who accused it of an embarrassing failure to inject US razzle-dazzle into a home-based drama.
But the London version beat the rap. Viewers enjoyed the breathlessly told catch ’em and try ’em crime dramas imported from creator Dick Wolf’s US original, now in its twentieth year.
Bradley Walsh and Jamie Bamber
The cast was also very watchable. Corrie’s Bradley Walsh as wrinkled veteran DS Ronnie Brooks was a good counterpoint to the younger, smoother Jamie Bamber as DS Matt Devlin, who brought with him a large fanbase from his Battlestar Galactica days.
Further youth appeal was delivered from former Doctor Who sidekick Freema Agyemen, in the earnest junior prosecutor Alesha Phillips.
Six milliion viewers
Harriet Walter was formidable as Brooks and Devlin’s boss, DI Natalie Chandler, while Ben Daniels (James Steel) and Bill Paterson (George Castle) were good at locking horns over the legal issues.
The result was that series one averaged by six million viewers and was quickly recommissioned.
Gay Constable Gunned Down
Episode one, Samaritan, is a juicy opener. A young constable, Nick Bentley, is shot by a drug dealer and bleeds to death while waiting for his partner to turn up and summon help.
However, Ray Griffin (a particularly smug, creepy Jamie Foreman) says he misheard Bentley’s location on his radio and was too late to save him.
Brooks Suspects Uniformed Officers
Brooks and Devlin then discover Bentley was gay and become suspicious of Griffin’s reasons for failing to help him.
Pointing the finger at his uniformed colleagues makes Brooks unpopular with them and Devlin and there’s a fair bit of eyeballing around Bow Street nick.
Alesha Recovering from Rape
The trademark snappy pace fires this opener along and, as usual, the characters often barely get a look in. When Brooks reveals to Devlin that he once had a police partner who was stabbed breaking up a pub brawl, there’s no time to find out how this might have affected him as the detectives are immediately leaping out of their car to arrest a drug dealer.
However, writer Chris Chibnall does take time out to remind viewers of Alesha’s battle to recover from the rape she suffered at the conclusion of the first series. There is a quite tender scene when Devlin awkwardly tries to offer her some support.
Twisting, Gripping Opener
At the finale of this new season, Brooks is set to become the focus of an episode called Honour Bound, when viewers will learn a lot more about the character.
Meanwhile, Patrick Malahide is as viperish as ever as the defending counsel and helps to push this gripping opening episode to a twisting, truthful conclusion.
Guest stars to come during season two will include Dervla Kirwan, Denis Lawson, Robert Glenister and Anna Chancellor.
- Law & Order: UK ITV1 begins Monday 11 January 2010 at 9pm
Bradley Walsh DS Ronnie Brooks
Jamie Bamber DS Matt Devlin
Harriet Walter DI Natalie Chandler
Ben Daniels James Steel
Freema Agyeman Alesha Phillips
Bill Paterson George Castle
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Robin Jarossi - London-based journalist and editor specialising in TV, sport and books. I was the editor of 'Cable Guide' and have worked at 'Radio ...
