Crime drama enthusiasts have discovered their next binge-worthy series, perfect for those missing ITV's Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour. The Australian period crime drama The Doctor Blake Mysteries, set in the 1950s, is now available for streaming.
Plot and Setting
The series follows Dr. Lucien Blake, portrayed by Craig McLachlan, as he solves crimes while assisting the police. Dr. Blake returns to his hometown of Ballarat after 30 years away, having studied medicine in Scotland and served in the Far East during World War II. He takes over his late father's medical practice and becomes the police surgeon, using his keen observational skills as an amateur sleuth to unravel troubling mysteries.
Critical Acclaim
The show aired from 2013 to 2017, concluding with a television movie. McLachlan, known for roles in Neighbours and Home and Away, earned a prestigious Golden Logie for his performance. On Reddit, viewers have recommended it as a follow-up to Endeavour, with one user describing it as "way darker than Endeavour." Another praised it alongside Inspector George Gently and Unforgotten.
Audience Reviews
On IMDb, one reviewer gave a 10/10 rating, calling McLachlan's acting "brilliant" and "outstanding." Another hailed it as a "thought-provoking show" with "amazing writing and intrigue," wishing for similar series in the US. A third reviewer described it as "a classic example of the period detective genre like 'Ripper Street' or 'Murdoch Mysteries' with a 21st-century twist," noting that Dr. Blake is not grumpy like other detectives.
Streaming Details
The Doctor Blake Mysteries is available for free streaming on U and Channel 4.
