Suspects, TV review: Utterly compelling and completely self-contained
Channel 5's detective drama is unscripted, with the cast devising their own dialogue based on a detailed plot description
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When it comes to detective dramas it can be incredibly hard to stand out from the crowd. But Channel 5's Suspects has found a novel way of doing just that. Shot in the style of a fly on-the-wall documentary, it is unscripted, with the cast devising their own dialogue based on a detailed plot description.
Opening the fourth series last night we found Fay Ripley and co investigating the disappearance of an Afghanistan veteran with PTSD. Without the gloss of the usual cop show, it was incredibly realistic and all the more harrowing for it. The grief of the soldier's father, completely stripped back, was more genuine for being less extreme.
Without the distractions of detectives' personal lives that have become so common in most police shows, this was utterly compelling and completely self-contained, meaning that the casual viewer didn't have to contend with complex back stories and unravelling subplots. Other detective dramas should take note.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments