The Northumbria Mysteries

You know, I really wanted to dislike this. That might make me somewhat prejudiced and shallow but I don’t particularly like cosy crime with its carefully costumed characters, trivial plots and lack of anything approaching actual peril.

And yet… this was OK. Sort of. Watchable anyway. We have a softly spoken ex-con Joe, trying to go straight by helping out at monastery. (Black leather jacket always in view just in case we can’t recognise characters from their faces). Through no fault of his own he keeps getting mixed up with a local DI, Rose and her well meaning but slightly dim sidekick Raj. Theres a local “big cheese” criminal with the unlikely moniker of “Ace” who is supposed to be threatening but isn’t really, and Father David (delightfully played by Simon Callow) shoehorned in at various moments for the star power.

And, yes, as I say, it is OK. There’s no real stressful scenes (even the kidnapping is a bit half-hearted); in most cases the perpertrator is happy to spill all the beans about means and motives and the way that Joe and Rose are forced together is a bit contrived, but it does all come together in a pleasant and inoffensive way. And the scenery is nice too, which always helps.

Call me sad, sentimental and inconsistent but if they make another series of this undemanding show then I’ll be there to watch it.