Traitors diehards were fearful that a celebrity version would go against everything that made it so watchable. But, based on this opener at least, they don’t have anything to worry about – this new spin-off stays faithful to the show we know and love.
It’s unlikely to win over any Harlan haters, but for those of us with a soft spot for his particular brand of larger-than-life mysteries, it’s incredibly moreish.
At eight episodes long, the story feels dragged out, weighed down by subplots that never quite seem to go anywhere. It’s hard to shake the feeling that this is the TV equivalent of a meeting that could have been an email.
It lacks the propulsive energy of A Thousand Blows and the brash humour of SAS: Rogue Heroes, to compare it to two of Knight’s recent historical efforts. And it seems unlikely that viewers will stick around for last orders.
As an eat-the-rich satire Sirens doesn’t entirely work; neither does it fully pull off its attempts to grapple with family dynamics and generational trauma. But as a colourful, unpredictable slice of slightly bonkers summer escapism? Like the siren songs of Greek myth, it’s irresistibly alluring.
Will you probably be able to work out whodunnit by simply looking at which of the potential suspects looks the most shifty early on? Almost certainly. Is following Humphrey and co’s investigation enjoyable enough despite this? Also yes. It’s a solid, easy-to-watch Friday night mystery.
The trio’s sibling dynamic is a delight, realistically but warmly observed. And Stephens slots effortlessly well into the world of The Split, where everyone is witty, emotionally vulnerable and has some kind of high-flying legal career.
