The Chelsea Detective Season 1 – Review 

Director: Richard Signy, Darcia Martin

Writer: Peter Fincham, Glen Laker (Screenplay)

Cast

• Adrian Scarborough (Gosford Park)
• Sonita Henry (Luther)
• Peter Bankole (Peaky Blinders)
• Lucy Phelps
• Sophie Stone (Doctor Who)

 

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 D.C. Priya Shamsie.  

Runtime: 90 Minutes (Episodes)  

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review 

Verdict on The Chelsea Detective Season 1

The Wages of Sin (D. Richard Signy)

The Wages of Sin starts when DI Max Arnold and DS Priya Shamsie are investigating a death in the subway. They must discover whether it was an accident, suicide or murder, while the evidence points in many different directions. Once they discover it looks like a murder, they must dive into the man’s past to learn who might want him dead.

This is a good introduction to the characters that build a strong connection between the two officers. All while highlighting both their personal problems. When it comes to the case, we get a mystery that sends the officers in a range of different directions as they search for answers. However, the case seems to take a back seat to the development of the officer’s problems. This might give the show a continuing series of issues, but it makes the crime feel a lot less important, despite the bigger mystery involved. (3/5)  

Mrs Romano (D. Richard Signy)

Mrs Romano starts when celebrity chef Robyn Romano goes missing suddenly. A neighbour hears some noise during the night and a blood pool is left inside her flat. In the aftermath of the incident, the detectives must investigate the family.

This takes us down a path where we get a similar drama story with a close group of suspects behind a murder. It takes us on a path where each interview offers a different direction for our detectives to discover something new. It feels like a middle episode of a series, where the crime relies on more twists and turns along the way, over anything else. (2/5) 

The Gentle Giant (D. Darcia Martin)

The Gentle Giant when a loving husband and carer for his sick wife gets murdered. When the detectives start their investigation, they learn that the victim is a local hero and doesn’t have any enemies. However, the investigation looks to open up more options as to who could have been behind the murder.

This is the first of the series to make a bigger point about the class difference in the Chelsea area of London. It shows someone who works extremely hard for his own family and could have clashed with the elite of the area. This does do a good job of getting into the deeper side of the previous lives of others involved in a local area. It becomes the most interesting case, diving into the two things Chelsea is most known for, football and flowers. (4/5) 

A Chelsea Education (D. Darcia Martin)

A Chelsea Education starts when a respected private school teacher is found dead. It seems like he is popular around the school and well-respected around the area. However, when they start investigating deeper, they start learning more about his past and life.

This does get to look into another bigger circle in the Chelsea area. With this side of the story, we get an interesting mystery to solve again. Along with a nice case to see unfold, we get the bigger real-life problems that the detectives must try to deal with to remain on the job. It feels like a nice finishing point for the series and rounds things off the most. (4/5) 

The Chelsea Detective is four cases in the Chelsea district of London. The pairing of Adrian Scarborough and Sonita Henry are extremely good together. Their characters have different problems in their personal life, with Max dealing with a divorce. While Priya trying to be a working new mother. Each case gives us something different in the area, even if most cases could be placed around most crime shows. If you are looking to watch a detective show, this will do everything you need to see from one. There are some good mysteries, and they have a great ability to keep you guessing. 

Final Thoughts – The Chelsea Detective is an entertaining series with great crimes to solve.