Bloodlands

Enthralling series. ... Mr. Brandon’s storyline is that rare thing, an absolute shocker, with a plausible sense of Belfast and its current political atmosphere. The filmmakers are blessed by having Mr. Nesbitt as their lead.

What Brannick digs up is beyond disturbing, leading to a killer twist at the four-part mystery's midpoint that make you question everything. [15-28 Mar 2021, p.11]

Bloodlands is shaping up to be a fine addition to the growing genre of Irish noir, which draws power from its concentration on place as well as plot. And it stands as an enjoyably dense and astute thriller (with enough black humour threaded through to let it breathe) in its own right.

Bloodlands is ultimately a serviceable crime drama with an interesting and complicated story to tell, but unfortunately it’s too focused on plotting to make us care deeply about the characters involved.

Bloodlands may be no match for the twisty intricacy of Line of Duty, but it was propulsive enough to fill the police precedural hole in my life while we wait for that to air.

While there is enough intrigue and weirdness to keep watching, there is still a lot of James Nesbitt glowering and frowning, then frowning and glowering, and looking angry even when he's just, say, driving a car. ... Yet my issue with it hasn't changed it is unrelentingly dour with few likeable characters.

The show’s real identity as a genre piece about an in-too-deep maverick cop is revealed: the conveniently placed clues and particularly the cast’s reliance on pained looks and sly side-eyes becomes hilariously noticeable.