Law & Order UK- A review

You often hear about TV shows in the UK traveling across the pond to the US where they get remade into American versions. Big Brother, American Idol, The Office are some of the successes. Mostly are horrendous failures, such as  Life on Mars.

So it was rather interesting to watch a TV show move the opposite direction.

Law & Order the original show may have been discontinued in the American network TV but it made a new home in the UK channel ITV as Law & Order UK. It follows the same pattern as the original with the show divided into two parts. In the first half the detectives investigate and in the second half the Barristers of the Crown Prosecution Service conduct the courtroom trial.

One would think that having a change of venue and legal system should necessitate a change in the formula of the show. However, the producers felt reasonably confident that the tried and true methods would not let them down, despite the strange costumes. It was rather amusing to see that the English justice system works in its tradition bound ways. Judges and lawyers in wigs and gowns: now there’s a courtroom where solemnity prevails with impunity!

The Scotland Yard team consists of Detective Sergeants Danny Brooks and Matt Devlin, played by Bradley Walsh and Jamie Bamber. Honestly, folks, if you are a Battlestar Galactica fan, this show is worth a shot for Jamie Bamber alone! They are supervised by Detective Inspector Natalie Chandler, played by Dame Harriet Walter.

DS Brooks, the elder partner, is worldly wise and has seen a lot of rough action in his younger days. His world weary and wry sense of humor and apparent cynicism barely hides a good hearted man having to face down an ugly world. DS Devlin is more full of fire and brimstone and gung ho about justice. He really wants to get the bad guy. They have a very supportive boss in DI Chandler. As an investigative team, they are rather well matched- they share banter and back each other up emotionally. And boy do they need the support from each other: the writers of the show are not squeamish about depicting real life horrors. 

This excellent team is complemented by the barristers of the CPS. James Steel, played by the excellent Ben Daniels, is the Senior Crown Prosecutor. He is assisted by the Junior Crown Prosecutor, Alesha Phillips, played by the delicious Freema Agyeman. Well, Doctor Who fans, what more motivation do you need? Bill Paterson plays George Castle, the director of the CPS.

A scrupulous adherence to law and justice for the victims are the watch word for the CPS. They work hard to bring the perpetrators to the jury and have them convicted. Steel is devoted to the job and is loathe to compromise. He would rather face the verdict of the jury than make a deal with a criminal for a lesser sentence. He is ably backed by Phillips and Castle even though the circumstances and politics of the day may not always be favorable.

I was interested by the cast alone. Bradley Walsh in a drama series, away from comedy is a great attraction, as is Jamie Bamber. But when I saw that Ben Daniels and Freema Agyeman was  there as well, I guess you could repeat the line about wild horses.

I am quite fond of the original Law & Order series. I like the format and the minimalist approach towards character that the producers go for. It is fun to see the format repeated in a different environment and get similar results. I think this is a show that you would quite enjoy, if you are into gritty police dramas.

This show is definitely not for the consumption of the young. However for adults looking for good drama, this would be a good choice. And if you are an old school L&O fan, this is definitely for you.