The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011–2014) User Reviews

...& why was THIS cancelled?

[ricewithaspoon · 8/10 · 23 November 2021]

I've watched all 4 episodes within 36 hours after work and I just cannot, for the life of me, fathom why this was cancelled. Another thing added to my list of logic-shattering human decisions.

Perhaps I could somehow understand if Mr. Considine had passed in an accident - but since this, thank God, is not the case I wonder what on earth came over ITV to do this? Is/was the man in charge there insane?

This is/was so great.. in terms of costumes, set design, casting, acting, character development, stories...I can't criticize a thing. It is educative regarding forms and values, it is moving (episode 3 got to me), it keeps you engaged and guessing, it is exciting... So why, why was this cancelled?

I need an explanation!

Great Show. Sorry it ended.

[nmlyon · 8/10 · 20 September 2020]

I only just started watching this. I finished all 4 episodes and see that years ago this show had been cancelled. I greatly enjoyed the character of Mr. Whicher and would have loved to see him grow.

Much better than Sherlock Holmes

[Vindelander · 8/10 · 29 April 2021]

Really excellent depiction of a story based on true events. Paddy Considine well cast in this role and gives his usual solid performance backed by an outstanding cast.

Great locations, direction, script and storyline.

Thoroughly recommend this.

This is a really excellent series

[LauraAnnG · 16 January 2021]

There are four movies in this series, which were filmed from 2011 to 2014.

Paddy Cosidine is the lead actor and does an amazing job portraying a flawed but incredibly endearing detective.

I am so glad I watched these and I strongly recommend you watch them in their proper order, otherwise you'll miss some of the character development. We slowly learn, over the space of the four movies, what happened to poor Jack Whicher. I like that they take their time telling his story.

Having just finished the fourth, I already miss Mr. Whicher. It is too bad this series was canceled, but... and not spoiling anything here, it ends in a fantastically satisfying way. I'm grateful for that.

Just excellent!

[nykfry-1 · 10/10 · 5 May 2020]

What a wonderful production! Superb attention to detail. Excellent characterisations and performances. I just wish there were more!

A British gem

[johnhockpe · 10/10 · 28 November 2020]

This is one of the best shows I've seen recently. The writing is excellent and acting superb. The production is rich and detailed. If you are used to American shows, as I am, this is very different. Nothing flashy or fast paced. But it's so engrossing that I couldn't wait to watch the next, and then the next, and then it was done. I was so sorry to see there were only four episodes. The tragic character of Mr Whicher, beautifully portrayed by Paddy Considine, is sort of a common man Sherlock Holmes, although I almost hate to make that comparison. Mr Whicher is not driven by ego or fame or glory or money, but always by the search for Truth. I had never heard of the story or character, but I'm so glad I stumbled on this gem.

Wish there were more episodes

[moon_creature · 7/10 · 18 March 2023]

I really liked this short series, and as mentioned - if there were more episodes I'd watch them. I like the slower paced atmospheric style. My only complaint is that some of the scenes were so dark indoors I couldn't really see what was in the room. Well, maybe representative of an era where people only saw by candlelight or lantern. I wasn't a huge fan of the 4th installment, which had less to do with the acting & atmosphere, and more with the revealed subplot at the end. This was a bit like a mellower version of Ripper Street, had a similar vibe. (Not sure what else to add review requires at least 500 characters.)

A Pity There Aren't More Episodes

[micmoctod · 9/10 · 24 January 2023]

Paddy Considine is superb in this all-too-short mini series. Not only is all the acting excellent but the sets, the artwork, the directing and the over-all production are excellent as well. The stories are compelling and leave the viewer definitely wanting to see more. I can't imagine why Considine didn't get to a make more of these films as they are easily better than a lot of other series out there inferior in quality.

The series starts right off with a "true" story of a strange abduction of an aristocrat's young son. This story explains why Considine's character suffers so from his own feelings of loss and a general disrespect of the new (then) profession of criminal detective struggling to gain general acceptance among the population of 1860's England. A binge-worthy series, tho when you're finished you'll certainly be wanting more! 9 very solid stars.

Apparently realistic atmosphere, solid performances - but somewhat arid

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 14 April 2024]

In general, I am eager to watch crime/detective series with events happening in the past, seeing how crimes were solved without much help of technology and science, even when blood samples and fingerprints were no investigative issue... Moreover, the viewers obtain a good overview of infrastructure and habits of that time.

As for the series in question, the 1st episode/case (based on true characters and events) is the least interesting vis-a-vis mystery - compared to the subsequent ones, but the inclusion of some fine British actors provides additional value. Paddy Considine as Detective Jack Whicher is convincing everywhere, and in 2nd episode, his dialogues with splendid Olivia Colman are pleasant to follow. The last two are versatile cases where motifs remained to be determined to the very end, and where Mr. Considine could excel all his co-performers.

Nevertheless, something was not just there for me, perhaps 1.5 hours per episode was a bit lengthy, and compared to e.g. Miss Scarlet and the Duke or Paris Police 1900, I found The Suspicions of Mr Whicher somewhat less catchy.

Simply Superb

[reggie-at-random · 10/10 · 5 February 2023]

Absorbing, flawless, outstanding cast, sympathetic but culturally and historically accurate acting, cinephotography, locations, costumes, hair...even the female actors trained to walk the way they would have...every detail excels and raises this production to a proper Gold Standard.

As a specialist in Victorian history, I was extremely impressed with the exactitude of this production's quality and accuracy.

Came across this via my local PBS station and made sure I was able to view all the programmes which upheld the high quality so firmly established at the outset.

A worthy investment in anyone's vid library.

Yes, its very good, its diff is the lighting of Vic London

[phlbrq58 · 8/10 · 10 January 2023]

Paddy Considine is a great actor. Victorian London is a great setting. This series has brought it to life most vividly. 'To Hell' came close. Its all about candlelight. The British class system, the empire's racism, the dark smelly streets, theyre all here more deeply than other films I can recall.

Les take a moment to examine Whicher as detective and human. I love a melancholy central character. He's a knowing witness to personal trajedy, social injustice and human frailty. Considine sells this amalgam of cliches with undeniable conviction. I love him! The narratives are well written and inolving. The look, mood and Wincher's sadness are what's most memorable.

I want more but glad for what I have

[greznowski · 10/10 · 9 October 2023]

Funny enough I only knew Paddy Considine from Shaun of the Dead and Hit Fuzz. I never thought of him much but after this and an episode of House of the Dragon I am a concerted fan. The series itself was great to watch and I immediately started rooting for Whicher without even knowing why. A sign of a great actor. Somehow I couldn't resist those sad, intelligent eyes.

I thought the cinematography was excellent and captured the feeling of the time, neither praising nor condemning but showing what was what. There were good and bad people and not always who you wanted it to be.

I do wish we had more of Whicher but I'm glad for what is there and the ending was still satisfying. If they always leave us wanting more then by golly they succeeded. I would say have a go at Whicher, it could take less than a day and is even more interesting since it's based on a real man. Glad to have a good show to refer someone to.

Cheers.