The period crime drama Paris Police 1910, now streaming on BBC iPlayer, has been described as 'downright outrageous' and 'raunchy and dangerous' by critics, leaving fans hooked. The French-made series, which debuted in 2021, is set in the French Republic between 1899, with each instalment taking place around five years apart. All episodes of the trilogy are available to stream for free.
Series plot and setting
The opening series follows aspiring young Police Inspector Antoine Jouin as he becomes entangled in a murder investigation, his first. Against a backdrop of upheaval in the country, Jouin is forced to act when a suitcase containing a body is retrieved from the river. The latest series features the discovery of a woman found restrained and gagged, with a mystery surrounding what happened to her. Bodies of her husband and mother are discovered nearby, and Detective Jouin, who has doubts about the woman's story, must establish the genuine sequence of events.
Critical and viewer acclaim
Though a lesser-known title, Paris Police has earned praise from enthusiasts of both period drama and crime thrillers. One assessment described it as "A classy, raunchy Parisian noir. . . A promising mixture of high intrigue and low cunning." A review of the third series called it "a suitably grimy, dramatic and often downright outrageous. It remains a totally engrossing and brilliantly crafted period piece." Another critique branded it 'dangerous', stating: "For anyone who loves historical crime fiction, Paris Police is a sensory treat with an intriguing and often terrifying story at its heart."
Viewers have also shared their enthusiasm online. One wrote: "fabulous performances, amazing attention to detail and great scripts all add up to a classic series." Another confessed: "When I watched this I had no idea that it was inspired by real events, many of which are kept in this fictionalised version. The story starts well and kept me gripped from the start." BBC warns the series contains some violent scenes. Paris Police is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
