Arnold, whose lifestyle on a battered houseboat in Chelsea's Cheyne Walk contrasts sharply with the affluent elite whose crimes he helps solve alongside partner D.C. Priya Shamsie.
Stars: Adrian Scarborough, Sonita Henry and Peter Bankole
Full Cast: Lucy Phelps, Sophie Stone, Davood Ghadami, Anamaria Marinca, Aiylah Bhimani, Frances Barber, Cecilia Appiah, Kobe Golde, Mina Andala, Cayvan Coates, Jeremias Amoore, Craig Blake
Episode Guide
Season 1
February 28, 2022Episode 4 A Chelsea Education
February 21, 2022Episode 3 The Gentle Giant
February 14, 2022Episode 2 Mrs Romano
February 7, 2022Episode 1 The Wages of Sin
Best The Chelsea Detective Episodes
Top 20 (Ranked)
February 28, 2022
8.2 49 votesS1E4 A Chelsea Education
8.2 49 votesS1E4 A Chelsea Education February 14, 20228.0 91 votesS1E2 Mrs Romano
8.0 91 votesS1E2 Mrs Romano February 7, 20227.8 123 votesS1E1 The Wages of Sin
7.8 123 votesS1E1 The Wages of Sin February 21, 20227.3 56 votesS1E3 The Gentle Giant
7.3 56 votesS1E3 The Gentle Giant The Chelsea Detective Trailer
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User Reviews
Watchseries; I really like this show! Very good acting. If you want something more intense, fast-paced, etc. I would suggest MI5 and the like. There is myriad of British detective shows and I really like most of them (far too long to list, going back many years) Adrian Scarborough is great in this role (love the houseboat!) and though I'm not really familiar with this actress, I really like Sonita Henry. I'm looking forward to season 2.
I really like this show! Very good acting. If you want something more intense, fast-paced, etc. I would suggest MI5 and the like. There is myriad of British detective shows and I really like most of them (far too long to list, going back many years) Adrian Scarborough is great in this role (love the houseboat!) and though I'm not really familiar with this actress, I really like Sonita Henry. I'm looking forward to season 2.
The Chelsea Detective watchseries. I'd mostly agree the the dismal reviews , , , but for the following:
(1) the casting of deaf actress Sophie Leigh Stone as deaf coroner Ashley Wilton - which was absolutely brilliant! She's introduced right from the beginning of the first episode as deaf - she has to turn her hearing aid on to hear what's being said to her! But she mostly reads lips, and reminds the detectives of this at least once, when they turn their heads away during a video chat. Wish more shows were willing to think outside the box like this in doing their casting!
(2) Episode 4 ("A Chelsea Education") - First, unlike the first three episodes, which are populated by the most unlikable characters (it didn't matter who the murderer was - they were all dreadful!), the characters in this episode were, for the most part, quite likable. So this episode was, as a result, quite enjoyable to watch. Also, it was mostly filmed during the day-and not under cover of darkness-so I could actually see what was going on!
Apart from this, I found the first the first three episodes pretty miserable. No clues as to the killer's identity that might keep the viewer engaged . . . Just a lot of stumbling around from one utterly heinous character to the next. So, when the killer (and motive) are finally revealed . . . Well, who cares?
So, watch the beginning of episode 1, to be introduced to Sophie Stone as coroner, and then just skip to episode 4. You'll have seen everything worth watching.
I think this show is brilliant. I love how there are 4 thinks going on at the same time. If you figure out one part of the puzzle, it doesn't mean you solved the case. Very smart show.
The dialogue is crisp and the acting is fine. So what's the problem? Rather slow moving for me. I prefer my detective or police shows more intense or at least the plot that draws me immediately. This did not. May get back to it later but probably won't. Too bad, because I highly anticipated the arrival of this series.
I would have never given this show 10. Neither 3. It is sort of average, but good entertainment and quite watchable. Not very handsome, ginger, middle aged and sligthly over weight - the main character, despite all that is rather symphatetic. Some death, some life, as ususal in British criminal story. And this makes it likeable. Good acting, good dialogues, London nicely shown. And that is it.
Really enjoying this and I do hope it comes back for another series. What is it I like about it? That's a difficult question to answer. It just works, the characters are good , the storylines are good and I'm pleased to be seeing it set in London for some reason. As a Yorkshire man I think I've seen enough northern dramas for a while. Keep up the good work.