User reviews

Usually I switch off when these dramas come on , they are always so predictable and annoying.

But, for some reason , which I cannot explain , this one has me gripped !

Perhaps it is Aidan Turner's character , he is brilliant in this , I cannot figure if he is guilty or not !

I find myself bemused at times by the lead detectives attitude , he is like a dog with a bone , and it is a bit odd that he is not willing to investigate other avenues and suspects , when , clearly there is evidence to suggest that it could very well be someone other than Dr. O'Loughlin.

So to sum up , Its all a bit bonkers , but strangely addictive !

Psychologist Doctor Joseph O'Loughlin rescues a man's life, despite suffering with Parkinson's, but Joe goes from hero to villain, as he's suspected of murder.

We seem to be having something of a purple patch for drama once again, The Suspect is another cracking watch. A very watchable, well paced give part series.

Ok, so it's not the most original show you're ever going to watch, and there is a degree of inevitably about it, but despite that, it's good, it's very good. The first episode is an edge of the seat, nail biter, it serves to grab your attention, similar sort of vibes to The Bodyguard, I don't mean the story or cast, but the big drama of it. The final episode was excellent also, it was very satisfying.

A bearded Aidan Turner is excellent, for me though it was Bobby Schofield who stole the show, the pair were fantastic throughout.

Well made, well produced, it was visually very appealing. I'd happily watch it again.

8/10.

What a great cast of actors. Series is compiled of suspense that keeps the viewers intwined more than they would like to be at certain times. The only negative commentary for this thriller are two bumbling lead detectives that get every lead and motive wrong. They're re bent on arresting the wrong person for murder no matter the circumstances or evidence staring them right in the face. Also first series with no present coroner stating the facts to the dense detectives chasing their tails. I'll definitely continue watching this thriller for a hopeful rational epilogue that will command a second season for the amazing lead cast.

The Suspect has you entranced from the start. Pretty much as does the book. Aidan Turner is an extraordinary actor. As Joe O'loughlin he brings the character to life and gives a realistic portrayal of a man devastated by his recent medical diagnosis whose life is falling apart as he battles to clear himself of a possible charge of murder. Is he guilty? Is he innocent? Aidan Turner's performance is so nuanced you can't be sure. Each episode builds the suspense. A stellar cast supporting this exceptional performance from Aidan Turner. He gets better and better with every new role. Look forward to seeing him in lots more diverse roles. Amazing.

It isn't going to win any Bafta's but there's a strong cast here led by Aidan Turner with a splendid beard - and it has a half-decent plot. One aimed at Harlan Coben fans who like a good whodunnit potboiler with lots of twists and turns.

Production values were generally good, it looked stylish. The soundtrack was a bit paint by numbers but generally the show was well put together.

Storyline sometimes felt a bit far-fetched, particularly the opening scene and his Parkinson's diagnosis seemed to be a bit of a tacked on gimmick, perhaps it will become more significant as the show develops.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers its definitely worth a look.

The show is compulsive viewing, even if by the third episode you can work out the plot. A lot of reviewers are complaining are about the characters of the two detectives. They are unrealistic and really hope real detectives are nothing like them. But it does make the show a little unbelievable that the police fail to notice so many clues about who the real killer is, right until the end. The actors playing the cops had to work with the material they were given, so a little unfair to judge their acting abilities based on this, as other reviews have done.

All in all a great show and must watch!

The police in this drama are beyond ridiculous. I found myself yelling at the tv screen, I know embarrassing right? The writers of this complete pile of garbage should be embarrassed. Aiden Turner was the only redeeming feature, I could watch that guy read Scientific American for 8 straight hours. He deserves a better acting gig than this! The DI and the DS were so ... so I'm struggling to find an adjective here that isn't horrible to describe them both ! The DI in particular how in the world would THAT guy get into that position of authority? If you're an Aiden Turner fan you'll be like me and watch it. But don't say you weren't warned.

REVISED!!! Episode 5 was worth every bit of aggravation caused by episodes 1-4 ! If you can make it through to the last episode you won't regret it. Every actor in this episode was stellar INCLUDING the DI and DS. I was crying my eyes out during the reveal. As I always say to my hubby when I spout off .... Sorry I blew up ;)

A far-fetched whodunnit which could have been really enjoyable had it not been for the gross incompetence of the detectives on the case.

The far-fetched nature of the plot is standard fare so should be expected and can easily be ignored but as many reviewers have already said the characterisation and decision making of the detectives is awful. This can be forgiven early on but in the latter episodes, it starts to make the story unwatchable.

I found the final episode a chore to watch and this had little to do with the resolution of the mystery. Given this is likely meant to be the first in a series of stories, I wince at the idea of having to see either of these two detectives again (and that's not down to the actors).

Good performances by the lead and some of the supporting cast. If deciding to watch, lower your expectations as the story progresses, in that way, you may find it worthwhile.

There are a lot of this type of detective show on UK screens these days but this has an interesting angle with the "hero" having been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. So far there may be some red herrings and some unlikely suspects but this has some intriguing and interesting moments. Aidan Turner plays an ordinary guy very well, a million miles away from his Ross Poldark image. The audience has no idea if he is THE suspect or not. Certainly worth a watch. The scenes around London and Liverpool have an earthy and eerie touch to them and who is on Joe's side and who isn't? Recommended even if there seem to be a few too many coincidences.

It's a great idea (previously we'll used albeit) and does get you thinking but it almost fizzles out as the series reaches its climax. Shame really but then again, is anyone ever content an ending. Haha. The acting is good and the suspense on occasion is gripping. I cannot fault the series as a whole and I do tend not to look for negatives but as I say, the ending sequence which begins to unravel from a couple of episodes from the end is somewhat dampening to my initial enthusiasm. There are a couple of shocks throughout and his diagnosis does make you wonder if he's really a psycho buy hey ho, I say no more.

I find this sort of programme very frustrating, it totally depends on the main character doing unfathomably stupid and irrational things, acting as suspicious as possible while trying to prove his innocence, this should be a handbook for how not to act when being a suspect, especially someone as intelligent as a psychologist.

The premise of the story is good, but the execution and script let down the potential of the story, the actions of the main character distract because of their utter stupidity it becomes a huge annoyance. Now I'm just being frustrated by having to find the words to make up the 600.

I watch a lot of crime and drama TV shows and I've got to say this, the pair of detectives investigating this case has to be the worst pair of detectives I've seen in my life.

They show no regard for the truth and actual events and their only mission is to fit whatever happens into their narrative, no matter how stupid and far fetched their theories actually are. Last few episodes are so painful to watch because they are few steps behind literally every single time. This is just horrible police work and extreme incompetence. Not believable at all.

It's hard to focus on the rest of the show when these two play such a big part in it.

It is always difficult when you have read the books to agree with the way the story has been adapted for a TV show, and that is the case here. Michael Robotham's novel tell a big story and take his time doing it and 'The Suspect' the first in the series sets up the characters who will form the nucleus of the entire series of books. It is obviously hard to try and capture that adequately in a TV show when you don't have the luxury of that time.

Aidan Turner always a fav, does a good job as Joe, but he needs to as the surrounding characters just fall so short of what they are in his books. The character of Ruiz is so miscast. Imagine Gary Oldman in Slow Horses, and that to me is Vincent Ruiz, he is a brilliantly wry character in the books, in this he is just, there! As to are the wife and daughter Jullieanne and Charley characters. I thought this story was made for TV but it would seem I was wrong.

As psychological dramas go this one is ok Aidan Turner plays the psychologist whom gets mixed up in a murder . The story as it unravels is interesting however this is all done by Aidan investigating it all himself to clear him! The Detectives don't seem able or efficient to investigate and come across as not only thick but lazy as they suspected Aidan and spent the whole time following him and leads he found to the point I question why the writers decided to make them so pathetically so inadequate.

I have watched a lot better but also a lot worse it is an ok drama and will pass the time without offence.

An old fashioned yarn that keeps you wondering where this is heading. Tense and the characters are real. I thoroughly enjoyed it as it has been a long time that I have not seen a story line that was not predictable and obvious from the second episode. It may have felt slow at times but that added to the plot along with the various characters that popped up. The lead was well played and the supporting cast was excellent. The detective with his flaws was very likeable and almost a new age "Poirot". Would be nice to develop a series with him as a lead. Would recommend this and you will not regret especially the ending.

In a nutshell: one of best miniseries dramas I've seen this year (2023). And this was such a surprise, as so often in past years this type of drama has been made to a humdrum standard. But this one isn't: it's superb.

Well-written, not too predictable in its wording, nor catering (as many recent dramas seem to do) for the foreign-translation market.

The more I watched the story play out the more I enjoyed it.

There are several surprises within the story - much to be expected in a psychological thriller - but again the twists are quite believable. The story & script avoid the old clichés quite dexterously.

The plot is credible, and the ending spot-on. The conclusion of the tale couldn't have been easily foreseen, and even if/when it was guessed by the viewer it wasn't treated to what I now call a Hallmark TV movie style ie infantile & crass.

The actors give good characterizations. Aidan ('Being Human') Turner is superb as the Doc. I haven't seen him in anything since 'BH', as I was never drawn to 'Poldark', so it's good to see him play such a different role, and so well. He looks very different, too, with a very full-on facial adornment of a flourishing beard! ,-)

The supporting characters are well portrayed too. Adam James especially plays his part well. And I expect to see more of Bobby Schofield in the future. The two investigating cops are unusual, and likeable, avoiding much of the usual stereotype of TV detectives. Yes, they make limited deductions at times re the Doc's involvement in the case, but that is often a feature in this type of psych thriller where the protagonist is being hounded by the police. The brief introduction of the Doc's parents is neatly done. There are enough side characters to fill the story without blowing the balance from the mainstay of the plot. The personalities of the Doc's friends and colleagues interplay well into his life. There is warmth to the tale, as well as excitement.

The extra story elements that are revealed in the last segments are subtly brought in, and never treated to a cheapening 'ta-da!' angle (that I have sadly seen in many a recent Channel5 miniseries).

The cinematography is bang on. No scenes are extraneous. None of the characters seemed unnecessarily stretched out, just to fill screen time. 5 episodes was just what this drama needed. Overall, there is just enough of everything, but never too much.

We used to see a lot of these psychological thrillers on TV back in the '90s, so it is delightful to see one again. And this example is a great return to form: it is rewarding to see that the production team have not hackneyed an old plot. This drama manages to incorporate a solid storyline while adding several credible twists and turns.

On a deeper level, it's a great tale re the tragedy of what can happen to a family if legal charges are misaligned. Let's hope this kind of thing happens less in life than we fear it does.

Apparently the drama is based on a book. But it is down to this adaptation working that makes it a good rendition of the tale. All too often a TV representation falls foul of the original novel. This drama has fortunately done credit to the book, from what I can tell. Let's hope the novel writer agrees! And let's hope that the TV production crew keep an eye on the writer for future work. Or at least pull together an adaptation of another good story: they did this drama so well . . .

The Suspect reaches, but unsuccessfully, for tense, psychological thriller. The performances are generally excellent, and the characters pretty well drawn, but the plotting is weak, telegraphing misdirections and adding distracting and unnecessary complications to the plot. The DI Ruiz is an unfortunately weak character, making the police procedural part of the plot less credible. Joe and Jack and the women are engaging.

It would have benefitted from the scriptwriter having a collaborator or editor to tighten and focus the plotting. But I'll look forward to. I'll look forward to another project with this team.

Best thing I've watched in the genre in a very very long time. Unfortunately I am seeing some strange comments online that are racially discriminatory and childish to say the least. Explains the rating, because it sure is not about the quality of this series.

A few things here to mention:

1. Aidan Turner is impeccable and is putting a hell of a performance. Strangely enough, people seem to be more preoccupied by his beard. The whole thing works thanks to him.

2. Supporting cast is phenomenal, particularly Shaun Parkes and Bobby Schofield.

3. This series is smart and sly. Uses stereotypical aspects of a crime drama and turns them on their head. If it's insane in plot, then it's exactly what it's supposed to be.

Started this show thinking I would watch 2 episodes & could not stop. I binged all 5 episodes & loved it. I never guessed the ending. Aidan Turner is very good. He plays complicated & layered characters very well. This is such a different look for him, but his appearance was perfect for his character. Could not stop watching his eyes! The only weak acting were the detectives. But not bad enough to make a difference. So many twists & turns but easy to keep up with the plot. Stylish cinematography & well paced. I was never bored. 5 episodes was perfect. I highly recommend but be prepared to bing!

The police in this really had me shaking my head and sometimes laughing when it wasn't anything funny. The Leading investigator can't act, which had me cackling at the beginning but just got more annoying as the show went on. All other acting was reasonably good. The storyline was ok, but I found it highly ridiculous that the police were focussed solely on the lead actor as a suspect even when everyone was pointing them in another direction. Really dragged out over 6 episodes, could have been a three part series. Give it a go, but it's not one to chat about at the water cooler. Disappointed with it.

One-note performances, rushed pacing and pat timing give this series an unreal air from start to finish.

I wanted to like The Suspect. The actors are working very hard here, and the production itself is more than competent. The music is good too. But the script betrays all, and maybe even the directors, who feel compelled to save it by galloping us through the plot points with barely time to catch our breath.

I think Hitchcock is an influence (note the several visual quotes for Vertigo and Psycho). The "wrong man" scenario is obvious. But Hitch always gives his characters time to quip and comb their hair.

There's none of that in The Suspect. Utterly clueless cops leap to collisions and barely leave enough gaps in the interrogations to THINK about the answers they're getting. They just bellow their suspicions at the suspect, eyes popping with indignation.

The suspect in this case, a psychologist, is either a victim caught in a diabolical web, or he's a victim of his own psychosis. I'll give no spoilers here, but it's no secret from the beginning that this supposedly educated man is an absolute dullard. He screws up everything, including his relationship with his wife and child and clumsily gives the police numerous reasons to suspect him. He really makes it easy for whatever force is trying to destroy him.

And this is a cheat, in my opinion. The psychologist's behavior MUST be problematic because the plot falls apart without it. Reality plays no part in this yarn. Credible police work and proper psychoanalysis be darned.

The trite homage to psychology at the end doesn't help, either.