Irvine Welsh's gritty crime drama Crime, based on his bestselling 2008 novel, is available to stream for free on ITVX. Viewers have described the series as "award worthy" and "outstanding", with many calling it a must-watch.
Cast and Plot
The six-part series stars Scottish actor Dougray Scott as Detective Inspector Ray Lennox, a troubled detective investigating the disappearance and murder of a young girl. The cast also includes Joanna Vanderham as DS Amanda Drummond, Angela Griffin as Trudi Lowe, Ken Stott as Chief Superintendent Bob Toal, and Jamie Sives as Detective Inspector Dougie Gillman.
Set in Edinburgh, the story follows Lennox as he tries to rebuild his life after a mental breakdown. He heads to Florida for a holiday with his fiancee, but memories of a child murder case back home soon haunt him. The case centres on Britney Hamil, a young girl abducted and murdered. Lennox becomes convinced that a serial killer known as Mr Confectioner is responsible—and that the same man may have been behind other crimes previously blamed on an innocent person.
Viewer Reception
Lennox is not your typical detective. He becomes completely consumed by the need to find the truth and is determined to expose evil wherever he believes he sees it. That obsession strains his relationships and leaves him increasingly isolated. When Lennox and the killer finally come face to face, the detective discovers that Mr Confectioner has recognised his private turmoil and can use it against him.
Crime has earned an impressive 83 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising Dougray's performance and impressive storytelling. One IMDb viewer wrote: "I find Dougray Scott extremely watchable and this series was no exception. The Edinburgh setting and the Scottish accent held me from the first episode. I really enjoy when the setting becomes a character in the show." Another said: "Irvine Welsh Crime is brilliant. Excellent acting by Dougray Scott too."
Second Series
A third viewer penned: "Absolutely loved this. Dark, gritty and funny (in places!!) Hats off to Dougray Scott for bringing this to the screen and for being excellent in his role as Ray Lennox." Meanwhile, another simply stated: "Loved it! Award worthy."
The second series, which premiered in 2023, returns to Lennox after he has recovered from the toll of his previous investigation. However, his return to work takes a dramatic turn when a high-ranking member of the establishment is found dead in a Leith warehouse. The case soon reveals itself to be the work of a serial killer, setting Lennox on another dangerous investigation.
One viewer felt the second series improved on the first, writing: "Season One was outstanding, but Season Two is even better. Compulsive viewing. A really good production on all levels." They added a warning for potential viewers, describing the story as "harrowing, eye opening and extremely brutal at times", while praising Welsh for portraying the darker side of real life.
