Fans of detective dramas are in for a treat as a new season of The Chelsea Detective arrives, led by Adrian Scarborough, a familiar face from the beloved sitcom Gavin and Stacey. The show is being praised as a worthy alternative for viewers who enjoy Beyond Paradise and Death in Paradise.
A Familiar Face in a New Role
Adrian Scarborough, who played Peter Sutcliffe in Gavin and Stacey, takes on the lead role of DI Max Arnold in The Chelsea Detective. The series returned for its fourth season on Acorn TV on Monday, August 3. Alongside Vanessa Emme as DS Layla Walsh, Scarborough's character investigates puzzling murder cases and uncovers dark secrets in London's affluent Chelsea neighborhood.
DI Max Arnold is depicted as a grounded detective who resides on a weathered houseboat on the River Thames. Scarborough, known for his roles in the Harry Potter films, Vera Drake, The King's Speech, and Upstairs Downstairs, is joined by a talented cast including Vanessa Emme and Peter Bankole, who plays DC Connor Pollock.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Praise
The show has garnered positive feedback from viewers, with one IMDb user calling it "brilliant" and others describing it as "quirky" and "a gem." A fan expressed, "Sometimes we are reluctant to give another British cop show a try, but we are glad we did try this one." Another added, "It is engaging, realistic and well done. The acting is first class, and the plot lines certainly lead us wanting to see how things progress."
One viewer remarked, "I love these gentle, quirky detective shows like Father Brown and Death in Paradise. There have been a lot of new ones lately but my favourite is Adrian Scarborough's who has saved many programs from mediocrity."
Beyond Paradise Season Five Update
Meanwhile, the BBC has announced that filming for season five of Beyond Paradise has officially begun. The Kris Marshall-led series is back in Cornwall, with the Shipton Abbott squad returning to the beat. The Chelsea Detective season four is available to watch on Acorn TV, with the remaining three feature-length episodes releasing every Monday.
