50 reviews
The UK version of L&O was great. It was a bit more gritty in London than NYC. Walsh was excellent. I mean you feel as if Ronnie is indeed a DC.
Not sure why some reviews say the writing was not good; there were some excellent episodes like I Predict a Riot, which is as good or better than the original.
I don't care if it is itv or sky or c4 or the BBC but please bring back this show. D Wolf crime drama in London is a perfect concept.
Not sure why some reviews say the writing was not good; there were some excellent episodes like I Predict a Riot, which is as good or better than the original.
I don't care if it is itv or sky or c4 or the BBC but please bring back this show. D Wolf crime drama in London is a perfect concept.
- zenmateisshite
- Jun 15, 2019
- Permalink
Dick Wolf's creation of Law and Order has long tentacles. The UK version copies the format of the original and holds up beautifully.
The stories are involving, and the acting is superb. Jamie Bamber is adorable with a capital A; and Bradley Walsh is brilliant as a recovering alcoholic cop who has been through a lot of pain. On the order side, the originals were Ben Daniels, Freema Agyeman, Harriet Walter, and Bill Paterson are great. Later, Peter Davidson and Dominic Rowan, also very good, take over.
Highly recommended.
The stories are involving, and the acting is superb. Jamie Bamber is adorable with a capital A; and Bradley Walsh is brilliant as a recovering alcoholic cop who has been through a lot of pain. On the order side, the originals were Ben Daniels, Freema Agyeman, Harriet Walter, and Bill Paterson are great. Later, Peter Davidson and Dominic Rowan, also very good, take over.
Highly recommended.
- ianlouisiana
- Feb 8, 2010
- Permalink
My concern prior to watching this was that the pace and the story wouldn't adapt well to the UK style - The Bill is quite plodding and small scale, but I was pleasantly surprised that, whilst intimate, L&OUK was paced superbly and kept me gripped 'til the end.
The only real gripe is that the DAHDAH's aren't used much....and that titles at each end seem out of keeping with the show: I suppose I'm used to the US version after so many years...
On the Law side Jamie Bamber, using his native accent, was fracking good, but Bradley Walsh was the absolute surprise hit for me: he's an ex-professional footballer (soccer star) who is known as a bit of a naff comic and when he's acted before you see BW not the character - not in this though...
The Order side familiar actors are again viewed as the characters rather than 'oooh he/she was in...' I think this is testament to a great, tight script More of the same please!
The only real gripe is that the DAHDAH's aren't used much....and that titles at each end seem out of keeping with the show: I suppose I'm used to the US version after so many years...
On the Law side Jamie Bamber, using his native accent, was fracking good, but Bradley Walsh was the absolute surprise hit for me: he's an ex-professional footballer (soccer star) who is known as a bit of a naff comic and when he's acted before you see BW not the character - not in this though...
The Order side familiar actors are again viewed as the characters rather than 'oooh he/she was in...' I think this is testament to a great, tight script More of the same please!
I will always have a fondness for the US Law & Order shows, and at first I was not sure whether I would like Law & Order:UK. I thought it wouldn't be paced well and wouldn't adapt easily either, a concern I see is shared by other reviewers. So it was a surprise when it worked superbly. It is grittier than the US series and some of it is even more compelling.
At the start there were some slight problems in the dialogue and acting, with some of the writing a tad lumpy and the characters not as well explored as they are now which affected some of the support acting as was to be expected, but it has gotten much better over time. The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking now, and I love the acting of Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber and Harriet Walter. The support characters aren't explored as well as the leads, but are acted very well and they and their stories maintain interest.
The pacing is quite good as well, it goes at a moderate pace without feeling too quick or slow. And the story lines are just great too, they are compelling and induce thought and I loved the format of half- police investigation and half-trial and that both parts of each episode are written excellently with the courtroom scenes marginally better in terms of acting.
The camera-work is what makes the show grittier than its US counterpart, while the lighting and locations have great, atmospheric shades to them and the music never feels over-bearing and the main theme is very memorable. Overall, this is a gritty, compelling and great series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
At the start there were some slight problems in the dialogue and acting, with some of the writing a tad lumpy and the characters not as well explored as they are now which affected some of the support acting as was to be expected, but it has gotten much better over time. The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking now, and I love the acting of Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber and Harriet Walter. The support characters aren't explored as well as the leads, but are acted very well and they and their stories maintain interest.
The pacing is quite good as well, it goes at a moderate pace without feeling too quick or slow. And the story lines are just great too, they are compelling and induce thought and I loved the format of half- police investigation and half-trial and that both parts of each episode are written excellently with the courtroom scenes marginally better in terms of acting.
The camera-work is what makes the show grittier than its US counterpart, while the lighting and locations have great, atmospheric shades to them and the music never feels over-bearing and the main theme is very memorable. Overall, this is a gritty, compelling and great series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 5, 2011
- Permalink
Like an earlier poster, I've never watched any of the bewildering array of either CSI or Law and Order series. In fact, I haven't watched a US cop show since NYPD Blue and I haven't seen a US courtroom drama since the days of dear old Perry Mason so I have no idea how this UK version compares and nor do I care.
All I know is that this is an entertaining and engrossing drama. The stories feature different crimes, not just murder after murder and the good guys don't always win. Bradley Walsh is a revelation, Jamie Bamber is virtually unrecognisable after playing Apollo and Bill Paterson has never turned in a bad performance.
Excellent stuff
All I know is that this is an entertaining and engrossing drama. The stories feature different crimes, not just murder after murder and the good guys don't always win. Bradley Walsh is a revelation, Jamie Bamber is virtually unrecognisable after playing Apollo and Bill Paterson has never turned in a bad performance.
Excellent stuff
I am an American do I have seen the original series which I love also but this is terrific too. One of my favorite actors, Jamie Bamber is on it along with a top notch complete cast. The stories are very similar to ours but I like the creativity that is used to put a twist on them. They are all very interesting and intriguing. If you're a Law & Order fan, you will love these exciting UK shows.
- catfanatic888
- Jan 25, 2020
- Permalink
Law & Order: UK is another franchise of the long running Law & Order series. All of the classic elements of L&O has been kept including the classic introduction speel and even the dunk-dunk noise between scenes. Why fix something that's not broke?
The pilot has its good and bad points, most of which are intertwined. I'm impressed with the acting over-all, particularly that of Ben Daniels, Bradley Walsh and Jamie Bamber. Freema Agyeman appears to be the weak link. I'm probably biased though, I didn't like her (limited) acting style in "Doctor Who" or "Survivors" - hopefully I'll be proved wrong in future episodes. There was an extraordinarily odd moment with Bradley Walsh who was SMILING, (in what I assume was an effort to appear caring and sympathetic), when the mother was bawling over her dead baby. Lordy.
I actually really like the shaky, continually moving camera work, which gives a gritty, realistic feel to the show, whilst helping to give energy to dialogue-heavy show. However, the type of film used makes the show seem like every other cheap British staple (e.g. The Bill, Casualty or Eastenders). Maybe this was supposed to add to the show's gritty feel but it just didn't work for me.
The worst elements of this show is that it seems to mangle our "UK" law (actually being the law of England and Wales, specifically contained within London) and stretches the validity of how courtrooms work. But it is only a TV show, and I ain't no lawyer so whatchagonado???
I definitely think its worth tuning in again to see how this show pans out. Potentially, Law & Order: UK could be one of the best shows in the UK, combining some excellent actors with thoughtful insights and though-provoking issues.
Or it good go a bit Pete tong, but you won't find out unless you keep watching...
The pilot has its good and bad points, most of which are intertwined. I'm impressed with the acting over-all, particularly that of Ben Daniels, Bradley Walsh and Jamie Bamber. Freema Agyeman appears to be the weak link. I'm probably biased though, I didn't like her (limited) acting style in "Doctor Who" or "Survivors" - hopefully I'll be proved wrong in future episodes. There was an extraordinarily odd moment with Bradley Walsh who was SMILING, (in what I assume was an effort to appear caring and sympathetic), when the mother was bawling over her dead baby. Lordy.
I actually really like the shaky, continually moving camera work, which gives a gritty, realistic feel to the show, whilst helping to give energy to dialogue-heavy show. However, the type of film used makes the show seem like every other cheap British staple (e.g. The Bill, Casualty or Eastenders). Maybe this was supposed to add to the show's gritty feel but it just didn't work for me.
The worst elements of this show is that it seems to mangle our "UK" law (actually being the law of England and Wales, specifically contained within London) and stretches the validity of how courtrooms work. But it is only a TV show, and I ain't no lawyer so whatchagonado???
I definitely think its worth tuning in again to see how this show pans out. Potentially, Law & Order: UK could be one of the best shows in the UK, combining some excellent actors with thoughtful insights and though-provoking issues.
Or it good go a bit Pete tong, but you won't find out unless you keep watching...
Well, as a die hard fan of most of the Law and Order franchises (save for the Los Angeles declination), I must say I got hooked from watching the very first episode on (BBC America ya'll- Friday nights at 9pm or at Comcast on Demand).
Just like the US version, a lot of the stories are based on news items that make it big in the UK. The treatment is gritty and captures your attention and it is always fun to listen to British slang (which I must admit sometimes escapes me completely and I must rely on general context to try and guess what they are saying, but I am not complaining as it makes for a little bit more flavor).
The acting is really, really good across the board. I like all the characters, and I am especially engrossed in the procedural side of the stories, as it is very interesting to me to see how it is done (albein in a serialized fashion) overseas. I think the cast is across the board good and they all work together really well.
So, all told, this Law and Order/UK has gained a loyal follower.
Just like the US version, a lot of the stories are based on news items that make it big in the UK. The treatment is gritty and captures your attention and it is always fun to listen to British slang (which I must admit sometimes escapes me completely and I must rely on general context to try and guess what they are saying, but I am not complaining as it makes for a little bit more flavor).
The acting is really, really good across the board. I like all the characters, and I am especially engrossed in the procedural side of the stories, as it is very interesting to me to see how it is done (albein in a serialized fashion) overseas. I think the cast is across the board good and they all work together really well.
So, all told, this Law and Order/UK has gained a loyal follower.
I am watching these again,sadly the drama is not made anymore.
The only thing I don't like about it is that the stories are remakes of American stories.
But I love the complicated plots and the acting.
The cast in each episode is good.
The regular cast are excellent.
Bradley Walsh plays cop Ronnie Brooks a great character.
This is gritty and educational.
- ib011f9545i
- Jul 9, 2020
- Permalink
We have become huge fans of L&O UK through DVD--we have seen 8 episodes so far and we're very eager for additional seasons to be released in the NTSC format (right now, subsequent seasons are only on PAL). Even though I live in NYC, the outer boroughs are often treated as second class citizens by our cable companies and we do not have access to BBC America, where the series is shown stateside. The rapport and dialogue between the detectives is realistic and entertaining, and it has been a treat to watch the British court system at work (we had to look up the rules/options re: wigs/robes) and are curious that some statements permitted by the attorneys would surely have earned sustained objections in our courts (of course, this is also TV's stretch) The gritty camera-work and neighborhood locations are effective, the adaptations of US episodes have worked beautifully and the acting across the board has been fine. More DVD's please!
- ellenbronx
- Jul 11, 2011
- Permalink
When the original Law and Order came out some 20 years ago, it was fresh, tough, gritty, and immensely entertaining. I remember watching it through college thinking it would inspire me to apply to law school and eventually become the next Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty was THE MAN when it comes to executive ADAs).
Personally, I think 20 years is too long a time for any series to run. Add a few diluted spin offs (L&O: SVU, L&O: Criminal Intent, L&O: Equestrian Unit, L&O: Truancy Unit) and the series starts to taste like water-down fountain soda. Still, it's a New York staple so I've grown used to seeing L&O production crews shooting around the City.
Which makes L&O: UK, just weird. At first, it feels like a British parody, right down to the "doink, doink" sounds between scenes but with the odd London cockney accent. After a few minutes, you start to pick up the familiar L&O feel, the shaky cam, no nonsense dialogue it's the police procedural show you've come to love, except it's in London. The cast is very competent. Having lived in London at one point, I can say that Jamie Bamber, Bradley Walsh, Freema Agyeman et al. successfully deliver the L&O brand across the pond.
There is nothing wrong with the show, except I have to question the reason for its existence. All L&O shows are exported to Europe, with the standard 1 year delay. I know Londoners have seen our original L&O. So does a local London flavored variation add anything new to the mix?
Personally, I think 20 years is too long a time for any series to run. Add a few diluted spin offs (L&O: SVU, L&O: Criminal Intent, L&O: Equestrian Unit, L&O: Truancy Unit) and the series starts to taste like water-down fountain soda. Still, it's a New York staple so I've grown used to seeing L&O production crews shooting around the City.
Which makes L&O: UK, just weird. At first, it feels like a British parody, right down to the "doink, doink" sounds between scenes but with the odd London cockney accent. After a few minutes, you start to pick up the familiar L&O feel, the shaky cam, no nonsense dialogue it's the police procedural show you've come to love, except it's in London. The cast is very competent. Having lived in London at one point, I can say that Jamie Bamber, Bradley Walsh, Freema Agyeman et al. successfully deliver the L&O brand across the pond.
There is nothing wrong with the show, except I have to question the reason for its existence. All L&O shows are exported to Europe, with the standard 1 year delay. I know Londoners have seen our original L&O. So does a local London flavored variation add anything new to the mix?
Before I start, it should be noted that Bradley Walsh and Jamie Bamber regularly provide good performances. In fact Bradley Walsh should be commended as he always provides something more than just the script in every scene he is in.
The start of a second series has shown an improvement in the police procedural half of the show but rest of the show however is seriously let down by poor scripts and an Americanisation of the English legal system. Since when do barristers have time to go around conducting their own investigations? The whole show comes across as having English accents and London locations substituted into American scripts. No other effort seems to have been made to make the script either English or believable. And there lies the second biggest problem of the series: the unBritishness of the moral issues championed in the show as well as how they are both perceived and handled. When watching the original Law and Order shows that these scripts were taken from one can dismiss the situation and reactions of the actors as being American through ignorance and enjoy the "foreign" show. However, when the _exact_ same show is presented in a familiar setting one realises how ridiculous it really is.
As someone who enjoys Law and Order, and who wishes British shows were more fast paced and American at times, I keep trying to give this show a chance. Unfortunately, a second series in and it is still unbelievable.
The start of a second series has shown an improvement in the police procedural half of the show but rest of the show however is seriously let down by poor scripts and an Americanisation of the English legal system. Since when do barristers have time to go around conducting their own investigations? The whole show comes across as having English accents and London locations substituted into American scripts. No other effort seems to have been made to make the script either English or believable. And there lies the second biggest problem of the series: the unBritishness of the moral issues championed in the show as well as how they are both perceived and handled. When watching the original Law and Order shows that these scripts were taken from one can dismiss the situation and reactions of the actors as being American through ignorance and enjoy the "foreign" show. However, when the _exact_ same show is presented in a familiar setting one realises how ridiculous it really is.
As someone who enjoys Law and Order, and who wishes British shows were more fast paced and American at times, I keep trying to give this show a chance. Unfortunately, a second series in and it is still unbelievable.
I have been a long time fan of Law and Order (USA) and also a fan of Law and Order CI - but not a fan, however, for the past few years of L and O's SVU which has gone completely haywire in my opinion - trying to outmatch CSI's graphic special effects and violence – and just not working. The regular L and O was getting a bit dull, but seems to have had a kind of rebirth with some new actors the past few seasons, but even so, it's pretty tired, I think. I found Law and Order UK a refreshing change -- equal to (maybe even better than?) and yet different enough from the regular L and O to make it really compelling. Law and order (USA) has always made the justice system its main target and the various story lines wind through their way through the US legal system showing its strengths and weaknesses. The legal system in Britain is very different from the US system, of course, which makes it even more interesting. Like New York, London makes a great backdrop for the series. All actors are strong except for Freema Agyman. I have never found her to be a particularly strong actress. I wish they had chosen someone with a sharper edge - someone "real" and less like an actress simply playing a bleeding-heart role. Agyman plays it way too soppy and wide-eyed -- which makes her very annoying. Bradley Walsh plays Ronnie Brooks perfectly, (right now Bradley IS the show) and who can complain when the amazing Harriet Walter (I wish she was in it more!) and Bill Paterson (ditto) show up on a great show like this? Ben Daniels is also very good as Senior Crown Attorney, James Steel. I loved the two episodes I've seen so far. Top notch!
For Law and Order addicts, you will recognize many of the storylines from the US edition. Still fun to watch...
- aliciap-69640
- Dec 28, 2021
- Permalink
Such a great show it replaced my favorite tv show Kavanagh QC which was absolutely brilliant. I honestly would love to see a continuous of both these shows. So sorry my review for me is asking from the creators to recreate a good show with today's drama. Every episode was fantastic. On my last episode watching slowly because I know it's the last- but it definitely has rebirth potential Brilliantly done great acting and informative on the justice system of the Uk.
As an American I've been a fan of the original since it's beginnings. As soon as I had access to watch the British version I watched seasons 1 and 2 back to back. My first impression was one of admiration for the casting. Frankly I'm not so bothered that the characters are based on like types of the original. What did unnerve me was how poorly the show seemed to be written in comparison. It's really neither compelling or entertaining.
I'm not a police officer or a lawyer but I've seen my share of shows centered around such characters. The writing of L&O UK seems almost embarrassingly simplistic and predictable. As well, does the prosecutor (who should be one of the show's champions) ever give the audience the satisfaction of winning a good case... other than the ones he probably shouldn't win? It's almost laughable and the show seems oddly negative and depressing in that respect. My other half lost interest in the 2nd season, and now only sticks a head in the room to giggle and ask if Steele has actually won a decent case yet. Perhaps it is true to English law, but if so I'd hate to live in a society where the only "victims" that seem to get justice are the criminals that claim to have been "victimized".
One of the things that's always made the original L&O great is that Jack is not only dogged and highly principled, he is brilliant! The character James Steel has the first two qualities but is sorely lacking in the third. Frankly I'm amazed that he still has a job.
I'll continue to watch for a while with hope that the writing will improve. If not perhaps I'll just stick with the original going forward.
I'm not a police officer or a lawyer but I've seen my share of shows centered around such characters. The writing of L&O UK seems almost embarrassingly simplistic and predictable. As well, does the prosecutor (who should be one of the show's champions) ever give the audience the satisfaction of winning a good case... other than the ones he probably shouldn't win? It's almost laughable and the show seems oddly negative and depressing in that respect. My other half lost interest in the 2nd season, and now only sticks a head in the room to giggle and ask if Steele has actually won a decent case yet. Perhaps it is true to English law, but if so I'd hate to live in a society where the only "victims" that seem to get justice are the criminals that claim to have been "victimized".
One of the things that's always made the original L&O great is that Jack is not only dogged and highly principled, he is brilliant! The character James Steel has the first two qualities but is sorely lacking in the third. Frankly I'm amazed that he still has a job.
I'll continue to watch for a while with hope that the writing will improve. If not perhaps I'll just stick with the original going forward.
It's quite entertaining but the legal stuff bears no relation to reality and most of the medical, technical, forensic and subject specific stuff is nonsense and it seems to have been written by people who have never read up on any subject. However, once you decide to disengage your brain it's an easy way to let 45 minutes go by.
- pjdickinson-27822
- Sep 29, 2021
- Permalink
I am a big fan of L/O, particularly L/O and L/O CI. I find the UK version extremely interesting and exciting. The nuances between the US and UK criminal systems are fascinating as are the similarities. The differences in the Miranda warnings, the demeanor of the attorneys (barristers) in court, the defendant in the docks all make for a great education on the legal systems. It is great to have a Lennie Briscoe type character in Bradley Walsh. The understated humor is terrific. The rest of the cast is first rate also. Really getting attached to them. When is the second season coming out on DVD? We are planning a trip to London in October and can't wait to visit the Old Bailey.
Also looking forward to L/O LA. Dick Wolf is amazing.
Also looking forward to L/O LA. Dick Wolf is amazing.
- robertamberg2002
- Jul 16, 2010
- Permalink
This is the UK version of the popular American TV show. It's a police and legal procedural dealing with both ends of the prosecution. It takes place in London. The police side is anchored by senior Detective Sergeant Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh). Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber) is his younger partner and has been replaced with others. The legal team has also changed over the years.
The Law & Order franchise was losing steam in America by the time it made the trip across the Atlantic. There isn't anything particularly new or special. In fact, many of the episodes are copied from the American show. It's a functional show but one that feels like a copy with different accents. This needs to dive into British society much more. It needs to be ripped from the headlines of the London tabloids.
The Law & Order franchise was losing steam in America by the time it made the trip across the Atlantic. There isn't anything particularly new or special. In fact, many of the episodes are copied from the American show. It's a functional show but one that feels like a copy with different accents. This needs to dive into British society much more. It needs to be ripped from the headlines of the London tabloids.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jul 10, 2015
- Permalink
I haven't yet decided, as a huge L&O fan, if this stands up to scrutiny. Firstly, the characters. Bradley's seems an Anglicised version of the wonderful Lenny Briscoe, and Bill's seems entirely based on Jack McCoy. The acting has been of a better standard than I expected, and the 'formula' has been followed.I agree with Greg Noel and maybe some others that the plot for the second episode was directly lifted from the original episode of L&O "Born Bad", and the first episode also seemed strangely familiar in plot.
Having just seen episode 3, it's another complete copy of an episode from the original series.I had hoped that it was not going to be a regular occurrence. As it would appear that this is the case, sadly I will be turning off, until there are newly written episodes, instead of rehashed ones.I really,really hate repeats, and this is almost as bad as a repeat!
Having just seen episode 3, it's another complete copy of an episode from the original series.I had hoped that it was not going to be a regular occurrence. As it would appear that this is the case, sadly I will be turning off, until there are newly written episodes, instead of rehashed ones.I really,really hate repeats, and this is almost as bad as a repeat!
- scorpiocat63
- Mar 7, 2009
- Permalink