The Chelsea Detective Series 2 Review
Director: Richard Signy, Sarah Esdaile
Writer: Glen Laker, Peter Fincham, Liz Lake, Laura Poliakoff (Screenplay)
Writer: Peter Fincham (Creator)
Cast
- Adrian Scarborough (The History Boys)
- Vanessa Emme (Midsomer Murders)
- Peter Bankole (Spider-Man Far From Home)
- Lucy Phelps (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)
Plot: Arnold, whose lifestyle on a battered houseboat in Chelsea’s Cheyne Walk contrasts sharply with the affluent elite whose crimes he helps solve alongside partner DS Layla Walsh.
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on The Chelsea Detective Series 2
The Blue Room (D. Richard Signy)
The Blue Room follows DI Max Arnold (Scarborough) and his new partner DS Layla Walsh (Emme) investigating a murder at an art gallery. Max and his team Connor (Bankole) and Jess (Phelps) set out to learn about the people who attended the show, creating a big pool of suspects. It includes the gallery owner, their family and the victim’s husband.
In the return episode, we get a new pairing with different challenges for Max. The case helps build their friendship and ability to use each other strengths to solve the case. As well as Layla learning to adapt to the rest of the team. When it comes to the case, we get plenty of suspects, twists and turns along the way. It is a welcome return for the show, and the ability to bring in a new member effortlessly shines through. (4/5)
Golden Years (D. Richard Signy)
Golden Years follows Max and Layla investigating the suspicious death of a resident at a luxury care home. The victim has lived a life of luxury in the aftermath of other’s suffering. Meanwhile, the other suspects have secrets and Max must deal with the final change in his ending relationship.
This takes us to the Chelsea elite and keeps us wondering with a long list of suspects. It dives into a host of different potential suspects away from the normal inside the luxury care home. This touches on a few serious subjects which still need dealing with in real life too. It keeps you guessing well and gives Jess and Connor a bigger impact on the story. (3/5)
The Reliable Witness (D. Sarah Esdaile)
The Reliable Witness starts when psychologist Iain Frankland is murdered during an online session. It looks like a known stalker could be the prime suspect as they have targeted the doctor before. However, the deeper they dive, the more they uncover about the doctor.
The third episode takes us into the secretive life of psychologists and what goes on behind closed doors. It once again touches on serious situations, dealing with mental illnesses and how people deal with the problems. While the crime isn’t as intense as others, it continues to follow the more traditional twist-filled story. The highlight comes from the subject matters being discussed over the crime solving. (4/5)
A Crime of Passion (D. Sarah Esdaile)
A Crime of Passion follows the team investigating the murder of a fruit and vegetable businessman. He has a reputation for being a player and they must figure out if it was a crime of passion or a business problem.
In the final episode, we complete the series with a more traditional concept. A mystery where the victim has many secrets which creates many different suspects. It shows the team working perfectly together and continues Max’s changing life. However, for the mystery, it feels more like another episode, rather than something bigger like you might expect from the season finale. (3/5)
The Chelsea Detective Series 2
Series 2 brings us four new crimes for Max Arnold and his team to solve. Vanessa Emme steps into the co-leading role and does a great job opposite Adrian Scarborough. We follow her adapting to the team and Max adapting to his changing relationship. This feels like more of the same, it brings a less grizzly type of crime stories and uses the busy Chelsea district of London to bring the many different worlds together.
Where to Watch
The Chelsea Detective Series 2 and 1 & 2 Box set will be available on DVD and digital on 23 September
Final Thoughts – The Chelsea Detective Series 2 is a great series of crime stories.
