The Mallorca Files (2019– ) User Reviews (92)

It's fun!

[Paradroid78 · 8/10 · 9 December 2019]

Surprised by some of the negative commentary on here. No, it's not realistic in the slightest (why would a British and German cop partner up to solve Spanish crimes on Mallorca?!), but good fun and feel good TV.

Sometimes that's exactly what's needed!

Very easy going viewing.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 6 December 2019]

What better way to sit down an a cold grey December afternoon? The blue skies and easy going plots represent forty five minutes of pure escapism. You'll be disappointed if you're expecting anything gritty or challenging, it isn't. It fits perfectly into the afternoon category, joining Father Brown and Shakespeare and Hathaway, and whilst it doesn't quite reach the standard of the crime fighting clergyman it's still a very good watch.

The two leads are very likeable, good fun, I thought they worked very well together. I'm glad to see a second series is planned for 2020, these afternoon dramas are easy to watch (on catch-up.)

Sour Grapes and Night of the Stag are the best of the episodes. My favourite new show of 2019, they improve with every episode.

Yep agree this is a new 'Moonlighting'.

[craig_larkins · 7/10 · 14 December 2019]

It takes a few episodes to find it feet, but it gets there by the end. The two main characters have great chemistry, and you can watch them grow towards each other as the show progress, but don't let it happen too quickly..

Series 2 is already in the can, i think? Let's hope the plots are are bit more thought out, and the script could be sharper.. This show should be prime time, no idea why it's on in the afternoon? ..

Ps the scenery just makes me want to drop everything and go explore the island right now.

Bonkers but fun

[imdb-18977 · 7/10 · 14 July 2020]

As others have noticed, this series makes no sense. Why would a british cop be assigned to work with a german cop solving crimes in spain, when it is quite obvious that neither actually speaks more than tourist spanish? And in addition the political backdrop of brexit makes it even more incredible.

The first few episodes are also quite painful. The female lead is certainly suffering from sunburn and all the acting is a bit wooden. But it gets better. And once it gets into its stride it is good fun. No violence. Light comedy. Light romance. Reasonably well handled intrigues. it is easy viewing without being too cliched. Admittedly this is because the entire scenario is so far-fetched, but hey - I enjoyed it.

Entertaining unchallenging daytime TV.

[stephenwild-28923 · 7/10 · 27 November 2019]

If you have an aged relative who doesn't like evening TV dramas which are full of sex and violence and swearing and car chases and fight scenes then they will like this. It's got a vibe of other daytime shows such as "Shakespeare and Hathaway" and "Father Brown" with a nod to the 60s Avengers series. 7/10 for being fun but I've only seen episode one. If this descends into the usual BBC PC drivel then I may revise my opinion.

A light British crime drama in a magnificent location

[Avidviewer-02847 · 8/10 · 19 June 2021]

The premise is a British and a German detectives are assigned to work under the National Police in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The locations are all over the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean, where everywhere you look it's a picture postcard. It's a light police procedural and the two leads Elyn Rhys and Julian Loomans have good chemistry. It's setting in Spain adds to the variety and quirkiness of some of the episodes. It originally aired in 2019 with 10 episodes and a second season appeared in 2021. Hope it stays around for more seasons.

Very formulaic

[mafdenver · 6/10 · 8 September 2021]

Uptight beautiful woman, handsome laid back man, crabby boss and none of them want to work together. There have been dozens just like it. Mallorca is the real star and something different. The others are caricatures.

Beautiful location! Fun Show!

[copperleaftreasures · 9/10 · 6 December 2019]

With all the heavy shows I'm addicted to, I find the Mallorca Files just the right amount of adventure, fun, & drama...not too much, but just right!

the last pre-brexit uk-euro-cop series?

[jazfro · 27 November 2019]

Let's be frank: this is a very silly production. This oil-and-water partnership between a British cop and a German cop in Mallorca - neither character fully delivering to the expected behavioral cliches, in particular the German cop being loose with procedure and displaying a detached sense of humor- does not pretend for one millisecond to be realistic. The script is silly, but the acting is OK, and the location is great, making for a watchable product. If anything, this is a nostalgic series: one that reminds us that having the UK in the EU was good fun, allegedly sometimes in a eurotrash-twisted way (not that anything in S1E1 was untowards). The series has the potential -if it can overcome its shaky cultural foundations- to be a nice companion to "death in paradise" which successfully plays on British-French tropes -this time in the Carribean. And what should we next expect from a post-Brexit BBC crime caper: an Irish-Scottish twisted copper partnership on the Isle of Man? I'm sorry if you read here first, but this last one sounds like a truckload of fun...

Gets better as it goes along

[trixie30 · 7/10 · 4 April 2021]

I was less than impressed with the first episode. Of course it combines a number of story/plot cliches, so very much a "been there, done that" vibe. On the whole, that's not a problem for me as I enjoy a mix of heavier and lighter shows/movies. It just seemed like they were trying too hard to make it work at first.

Because some series that have ended up as favorites have had iffy starts, I decided to give it a chance. It will never be in my top 10, but as it found it's pace and rhythm, I began to enjoy it. The characters and story arcs are pretty predictable, but it's not trying to be anything other than what it is.

Certainly the scenery is great and it's a light, enjoyable show.

Running Du Jour

[westsideschl · 5/10 · 15 April 2021]

Forensics non-existent or terrible. Crimes fit the locality almost like a tourist promotion (Mallorca is a Spanish island known for Brit & German tourists), but alas not very believable. Writers using non-realistic imaginations. The usual interdepartmental discord, and potential romantic liaison between formula attractive male (most series' males come with the tough look facial hair) & female. Foot chases are where most of the action scenes take place, but not believable given the dress shoes & attire; just looks unreal & rehearsed. I suppose running after suspects is less inexpensive than car chases, and shoot outs. Acting, overall, is very staged.

It is just fun

[simontenor · 10/10 · 14 January 2020]

Loving this series, a TV cop programme that's just fun and enjoyable to watch. It has the charm of great series like Moonlighting or Magnum, and thats all I want to destress. It is supposed to make you laugh, and feel happy. Why so many below that criticise the simplicity of this programme don't see that is a shame! It's not out to shock and takes nothing to seriously! Great to help you forget the grave stoicism in this world at the moment!

A bit old fashioned but fun

[janecreates-1 · 6/10 · 28 June 2021]

Considering this features a woman in the central role , most of the series writers are male. Although I didn't know this I guessed it from the jokes and checked after episode 1. A bit more depth wouldn't have destroyed the comedy which is well written. Good concept and humour but it's a little old fashioned in its point of view. Plenty of room and space for it to grow.

Ouch

[meelaleks · 3/10 · 16 March 2020]

I really DO like lighthearted BBC crime series ( Shakespeare & Hathaway and Father Brown come to mind) and was eager to give this one a go. I can live with plot holes and obvious mistakes BUT only if you cover these in great casting and/or witty humour. Sadly this series fails in both. What remains is the nice scenery, but that sadly wont safe the toecurling end result... its rubbish.

Just OK so far. Giving it a chance.

[biffgrimes-19023 · 6/10 · 31 May 2021]

I watched the first episode and thought the show looked promising. Upon watching episodes 2 and 3 I became bored with it. I found that each episode had the same formula. Always a chase of some sort within the first 15 minutes of the show. Chases on foot, on golf cart, with a car etc. I don't really see the chemistry between the the 2 main actors that other reviewers have stated. Comparisons have been made between the Mallorca Files and Moonlighting. The male lead here, Julian Looman is woefully lacking in the charisma department. His acting is very wooden. He mumbles his lines. He doesn't have the swagger this role requires. The actress that plays the Chief of Police of Mallorca is quite laughably bad. Some reviewers have said it gets better after the first few episodes. So I'm not giving up completely on it.

Generous to give it 6

[billcarr31 · 6/10 · 25 May 2021]

I am amazed that someone gave this 10. Yes it is well directed and comedic. My problem is that I do not feel very interested in the victims!. It saving grace is that the women are all very attractive.

Fun, entertaining, great scenery!

[ronaldalamascus-90506 · 8/10 · 23 May 2020]

Anyone who takes this series seriously, needs to get a life or a humor or both! Yes, it's full of cop show cliches including a crabby Mallorcan Chief of Police (why are they always crabby) and the crimes are more humorous than shocking, which all adds up to quirky, sometimes silly but always entertaining lighthearted fun. Enough serious, "noir" psychological thrillers that are usually so dark they are depressing or have so much gore, they're disgusting. Just sit back, relax and enjoy this one.

Relaxing fun

[josephinelofthouse-52125 · 8/10 · 2 February 2021]

This ain't going to win any BAFTAs but it's fun and relaxing. A bit like 'Death in Paradise'.

It is depressing to see how far the BBC has fallen

[tonystorey-980-314813 · 1/10 · 28 November 2019]

Abject and unmitigated garbage! This production is so inane that it makes the last two seasons of 'Death in Paradise' appear entertaining in comparison. It continues to tick the now requisite boxes so beloved by the BBC, as demonstrated by the seemingly gender-confused London Police Superintendent. The script appears to have been produced by a group of pre-teen students, whilst the acting (?) would be better served in a classic 'drawing-room farce'. I don't have sufficient intestinal fortitude to watch another episode, yet I have no doubt that this programme, and others of its ilk, will be popular with the target audience - teenagers and young adults - who have not had the experience of watching, and enjoying, BBC (and ITV) programmes from 20 - 30 years ago,

Moonlighting in mallorca

[Gabbiadini · 10/10 · 26 November 2019]

Let's hope the strong first episode is maintained. We need fun in the sun at the moment in the UK and this looks promising

Totally furchtbar

[fad-38798 · 4/10 · 1 December 2019]

The two leads do a damn fine job with the material they have been given.

However, that material is terrible.

The series bends to every euro-trope to the point of being racist. Cultural stereotypes are heavily reinforced, except for the two leads where the cultural stereotypes are reversed.

And why does the Spanish police chief hate foreigners?

Anyway, the photography is good, as are production values and the island itself becomes the third major character.

I like the idea of Anglo-German TV, I remember some of the previous collaborations from back from the 70s (anyone remember Star Maidens?) and they were very original and to me, very exciting, something different from usual British TV. Unfortunately this series missed the mark, too pedestrian and replicating a lot of other TV series that were a lot better.

Both leads are good, they carry the story well, just a shame the stories are not up to much, I'd like to see them do something more serious and a bit darker, they have skills that need using.

A fun, light-hearted crime drama set on sunny Mallorca

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 10 March 2021]

This light hearted crime drama is set on the Spanish island of Mallorca and centred on detectives Miranda Blake and Max Winter. She is British and he is German; together they mostly investigate cases involving foreigners on the island under the direction of their Spanish boss Inés Villegas. The cases, which last one forty-five minute episode, are varied; unlike most such series they don't all involve murder.

I enjoyed this series far more than I expected. The fact that it was first broadcast in the afternoon led me to write it off as light, low-budget, low-quality froth... this was unfair; yes it is light and frothy but it is also a lot of fun and totally inoffensive. Blake and Winter are great lead characters; their relationship develops nicely as the series progresses without any obvious suggestions of romance. The two leads, Elen Rhys and Julian Looman as Blake and Winter respectively, do impressive jobs. Also notable is María Fernández Ache, who plays Inés. The Balearic location is lovely to see on a gloomy winter day in England; and a revelation to those who associated the place with drunken tourists rather than its obvious natural beauty and history! There is a good amount of unforced humour. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to somebody wanting a light, humorous drama set in an attractive location.

Winter Sunshine

[TondaCoolwal · 10/10 · 27 November 2019]

What a marvellous way to spend a wet, late-Autumn afternoon! The BBC have done it again with this feel-good light cop drama. Loads of gorgeous , rugged sun-kissed Mallorca scenery to drink in. And, a chalk and cheese pairing of Brit and German police officers who, for some reason are exiled from their native habitats. Unbelievable or what! Well written with strong strong stories and plenty of action. Uptight Brit Miranda Blake is constantly irritated by unorthodox, easy-going German partner Max Winter. She goes by the book, whereas he doesn't. First episode had a big story involving criminal gangs and a number of killings with lots of guns in evidence. It ended unresolved so you get the feeling it will be picked up again later in the series. There's a hook! Only complaint I have is that these afternoon series are worthy of a more primetime slot. And, showing them every weekday does use up the episodes very quickly. Get the writers back to work quickly! Edit: Just watched episode 3 and am beginning to wonder why most of the supporting characters seem to be Irish?

Predictable and clicheed... at first

[LPJ-2 · 3/10 · 7 May 2020]

The actors try hard, the scenery is nice to look at, and the title sequence is OK... but the writing is a pile of clichees. You have seen it all before.

Skip the first five episodes; the mysteries are too predictable to waste time on! I give them 2 stars out of 10.

From episode 6 on, however, the writers give up the idea of writing mysteries and instead lean into action, fast cars, chases etc. As a result, the show improves significantly. I give the latter half of season one 3 stars out of 10.

Good afternoon entertaiment

[PhilipRamone · 8/10 · 6 December 2019]

This 10 part episodic series has kept me well entertained. The characters interact well, and stories have credibility. It's not going to win any awards. It is good afternoon tv fodder on a cold winter's day. Very enjoyable and hope they film more.