Critic Reviews

This third series – another delicious blend of thrills and titters – delivers a resounding finale with no further questions, your honour.

Well-written and engaging, The Outlaws will appeal to viewers who like where television is heading these days — towards more character-driven, tonally varied narratives.

The six hour-long episodes offer an intriguing blend of sharp comedy and genuine danger, as the gang stumbles into a local drug cartel's messy business.

Its early moments may feel like broad brushstrokes, but Merchant has a knack for humanising his characters, no matter how crass they seem on the surface, and he hints at a deeper pain and embarrassment that gives this more heart and warmth than first appears.

The Outlaws’ combination of droll chuckles, West Country accents and gritty crime caper hasn’t always come off, but its cast, playing endearing miscreants sentenced to community service, has been brilliant.

There are little twists along the way, too, but they come as genuine surprises rather than expected beats. Despite its familiar framework, The Outlaws manages to make its story unique in small yet important ways.

In its first hour, The Outlaws manages to have a bunch of funny moments, one or two thrills, and tells more than enough about its ensemble to keep us watching.

There aren’t too many thrills in The Outlaws’ comeback episode, which is fine because we’re content just to hang out with the characters for a while. We’re happy to be part of their gang.

Merchant and co-writer Elgin James keep it richly stocked with fizzing gags.

The good news is that the second series came firing on all cylinders and teeming with quality awkwardness and filth.