North Sea Connection (2022– ) User Reviews

Irish Noir

[peterrichboy · 7/10 · 16 February 2023]

If you have never watched a Scandinavian Nordic Noir crime drama and maybe put off by the subtitles, then I would recommend North Sea Connection as a good place to start as 90% of the dialogue is in English.

Set in a small fishing village on the west coast of Ireland, a Swedish detective teams up with the local Garde officer as she believes drugs are being transported via fishing boats from Sweden to Ireland.

As well as this being the main storyline there are several sub plots along the way. Sinead Cusack is just about convincing as the only female trawler woman in the village, and the rest of the cast all give solid performances. Without spoilers I can safely say there will definitely be a second season! 7/10.

This show is worth your time.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 10 June 2023]

A batch of drugs wash up on the shores of a small Irish Village, brother and sister Ciara and Aidan get embroiled in dealing and murder. A Swedish Detective arrives to investigate, assisted by local Garde Egan.

North Sea Connection is a slow burner, and if I'm honest, it's taken me months to work my way through the series, let's just say that when you reach the half way mark, the interest level definitely goes up several notches.

If noir is your thing, North Sea Connection will appeal, and the presence of Tuva definitely adds the Scandi vibe. There are plenty of twist and turns, and unexpected moments, several scenes will surprise, and may even shock.

The drug story is the main event, but there are plenty of interesting sub plots too, Björn's story holds a lot of interest.

It is very well acted, a great cast list, Kerr Logan and Denis Conway really stood out for me. Aidan was a fascinating character, maybe the most interesting one here, he's spoilt, he's almost delusional, he feels there's nothing he can't do or have, he's pretty much the reason for the complex story ahead.

The visuals are jaw dropping, that Irish coast, it's true enough, it's like nowhere else on Earth.

As of today, there's still no word on a second series, and that's sad news.

8/10.

Nice advert for the Irish Tourist Board.

[pallelli · 6/10 · 23 February 2023]

The location is certainly very scenic. It was filmed in and around the small fishing town of Roundstone in County Galway, a place I've now added to my list, but a show has to be more than the scenery. The plot works up to a point, it's easy to see how the characters could have gotten involved in the situation they find themselves in, but there are too many stupid mistakes in the writing. Take for instance the scene where Björne retrieves a mobile phone that has been hidden in a dry stone wall, presumably for a long time. He turns it on, and it works. No need to recharge the battery. But were it the writing gets really bad is in the last episode. Firstly the Swedish detective has a mobile phone when she gets locked in the cold store. Secondly, a baby can't just be given to someone in somewhere like Ireland, the authorities would find out and take the baby away. It's a shame about the writing, because the acting was OK, as was the filming and editing.

A good try with flaws

[jefferons · 6/10 · 6 February 2023]

I wanted to like this. But realism was out the window. The baddies quickly want to kill them. The fishermen leave a open toolbox on the deck out at sea!. The brother hides a car behind his factory! Then tells the village idiot to gey rid of it. The deckhand is crept up on on a by armed baddies brandishing hand guns in a tiny village and nobody notices. This is nonsense. I'm only watching it for comedic effect.hoe does this tosh get made? At the end about 20 different government agencies are mentioned. Which explains how it got funding. Also huge amount of ethnic people in it.non if which have Irish accents and nobody is filmed drinking guinness.

Not bad

[Headturner11 · 7/10 · 22 December 2022]

I saw this in the new releases and had no idea what it was about but I was just excited to see something " new" I clicked on it. I almost turned it off about half way thru but since I had nothing in my list I decided to keep going. I watch a lot of Irish films but was only familiar with two of the actors. Acting good except the lead girl was hit or miss. It started getting really interesting the last few episodes and then boom! It ends totally unresolved! Ok! I feel I've written a long enough review 96 characters left! Sheesh! Sometimes I feel they're too long! 33 OMG! Ok! I thought it a decent watch was just disappointed at the unresolved ending!

Ignore the bad reviews. This is edge of your seat TV

[boc321 · 10/10 · 1 October 2022]

In a similar manner to the show 'Breaking Bad' this series has all the markings of a series that will be a hit.

You have the normal people finding themselves involved in a large scale drug business and the police just a few steps behind and when the dead bodies start appearing it becomes harder and harder to cover ones tracks.

I wonder if they will explore the effect a large operation like this will have on a small fishing village. Its fascinating.

The acting and music are perfect in a beautiful setting in Ireland.

Please don't cancel this show it brilliant.

I eagerly await the next episode :)

Better when darker

[paul2001sw-1 · 7/10 · 5 March 2023]

Irish drama 'North Sea Connection' begins as a light-hearted crime caper. Its story of petty smugglers suddenly caught up in an international crime ring resembles nothing more than Harry Enfield's old sketch 'Heroin Galore'. Even when someone dies fairly early on it's in essentially comic fashion. But over the course of six episodes, it becomes increasingly darker in tone, and is all the better for it. Then ending isn't quite perfect: I don't understand how the storyline with the baby is supposed to work out, and the blackness of the finale is softened by the hint that we're being set up for a second series: if this truly is the end, the emphasis feels misplaced.

Kicker Viewing

[dcarroll74 · 10/10 · 10 October 2022]

I waited to watch the whole series before commentating as, I have been stung before by being negative in regards to a series, without giving it time to develop. This series took time however, the time was worth it.

The storyline is good, it deals with modern themes, and involves cross border police co-operation. A commentator made a point of this, based on nothing. In Ireland, cross border policing has being in place since 1922, and European cross border policing has been in place, since 1923, (Interpol).

The only actor I knew was Sinead Cusack yet, that didn't make any difference to my viewing. In the past number of years, even during Covid; Ireland has burst out onto the International stage with drama series that give a run for the money, against other countries that have been to the forefront, for decades.

I'm Irish therefore, I could be partisan, I'm not. We're world renowned for being funny yet, we couldn't write a sitcom to save our lives. Drama is our forte, and this is the latest in what we can write and produce.

The fact there has been a collaboration with an unexpected country (source) says something. The fact that previous drama series from this little country over the past few years, have now been shown on all continents of the world, shows that we have a punch.

Oh, and some of them have been nominated for International Awards, unheard of before now. That usually is reserved for BBC, ITV, CH4, etc.

The finale is some kicker. I expected a resolution, with loose ends tied up. What an ending.....

Good but with missing ending

[itaylor-50665 · 6/10 · 28 October 2022]

OK, actors were pretty good. Especially the main actress. The Lenny character was overplayed. THe other females were somewhat forgettable.

The main gang leader was somewhat typical, nasty but so erudite.

I had trouble with the main male actor who owned the fish plant. He was the spitting image of the singer Michael Buble and that made it hard for me to accept him as real. I kept expecting him to sing.

Story was pretty good. Well paced. But the ending was cut short and we were left to guess how things concluded. It was as if there was another Series in the works and we would have to watch it to find out how everyone fared. In future. That was the worst part of the Series.

One thing that bothers me is that so many of these Irish productions are all crime based, violent and gritty, often with ties to the IRA history. It leave me with a desire to NOT visit Ireland in future. It all seems so bleak, not withstand that the countryside and ocen views are often lovely.

Finally, I woder how many drug smugglers will look to this movie as a guide to hiding drugs? The method of hiding them for transportation was very sneaky.

Where is Episode 7?

[GwydionMW · 4/10 · 12 February 2023]

This is a six-episode series that leaves most of the story lines open.

I had very much enjoyed it, up until then. I don't know the west of Ireland, but it certainly felt authentic. Though there did seem rather a lot of outsiders.

A series of twists and turns in the plot.

And hardly a spoiler to say that people who get involved in drug smuggling find out that things quickly run out of control.

It was developing nicely. But Episode Six ends with most of the crucial plot-lines still open. I assume a second series is planned, but then have also short-changed their audience.

I reduced my score from 8 to 4, because no one should do that to their audience.

North sea connection

[suzannedownes-94603 · 9 October 2022]

This is the biggest pile of garbage to grace our screens .bad acting.bad accents.bad language.the cinematography is zero. Renvyle is a beautiful part of Connemara and we,ve seen none of that yet.only a depressing warehouse.a manky plot that a Dublin land lived in.dissing Dubliners .and the pier.where is it going.nowhere.its a dispicable dipiction of the beautiful west coast of ireland.it makes my blood boil as I live here .romanticising drug smuggling... no actual Irish actors eventhough we have plenty to choose from.father Ted was banned from our screens and we are paying to watch this pooh.💩

better wait

[eamonnh-89469 · 6/10 · 3 March 2023]

Firstly for the attention of the poster Mrtomcl, why would the BBC in the untied kingdom have any say on there been a second season, as they did not make it, just bought the rights to show it in the united kingdom.

As for the show, some know actors and unknowns, they did well with what they were given and while it is a decent enough show, I only scored it a four due to the many loose endings and rte are well known for not renewing shows they leave so opened and unanswered, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if this is the case with this one. I didn't like the way the Swedish cop just shows up unannounced, as that wouldn't happen in real life.

When will it end?

[mrtomcl · 5/10 · 26 February 2023]

I was thoroughly enjoying the North Sea connection. The story line was fascinating with the inclusion of a number of details tha I do not recall having been used in other TV dramas. Most notable of these was the drug transporting in ice. I do wonder if that method has ever been actually used in the real world, maybe it will be now. I enjoyed it though only as far as near the end of episode six, when it became clear that there were so many loose ends that it could not possibly end there. There seems to be some talk of series two but nothing definite has been stated by BBC. However if series two does not happen I will consider that I completely wasted my time watching series.

This is good very good!

[john_mcgeoghan · 9/10 · 22 September 2023]

Apart from Sinead these were a new set of actors to enjoy. Very believable well cast characters and outstanding acting in all corners of the room!

Genuine well written storyline that goes to and fro between the interesting characters each has a depth and a like ability. The international angle broadens its appeal without involving the across the water neighbours. The setting is of course spectacular and natural, nothing artificial about the fishing village or the folks going about their business there. Lots of jeopardy throughout the episodes, lots of emotion expounded as I wore away the edge of my seat.

Dreadful Rubbish

[paul-08264 · 2/10 · 22 October 2022]

Well I was born in Galway and looked forward to seeing many places I am familiar with, but alas, I cannot sit through this drivel. The acting is woefully bad, even Sinead had been reduced to the standard of the others. The story is too silly to be believable, the characters are equally unlikely and the entire production is laughable. I hope that this is not shown in other European countries as it is an embarrassment. I'm in Australia and even though I long for things Irish, I cannot watch this ridiculous show. I have now got seventy characters left to complete this review. I cannot really think of anything else to contribute. I'm done.

A world with no consequences

[seangibson6 · 5/10 · 12 February 2023]

This is a bizarre item. There seem to be no consequences to people's actions. Dead man with white trainers - disappears under the waves, weighed down with an anchor with a single rope not very convincingly tied round his calves. Does his body never reappear? And his big car - just disappears. Lenny's body is consumed with fire in his old caravan - but that old flimsy van surely wouldn't have burned for long enough to remove all trace of the bullet hole in him. And surely the Swedish detective would have spotted the gas cylinder. As for the ending - does social services not notice that the couple they've refused permission for adoption have suddenly obtained a baby. Wouldn't questions be asked? What happens to Hana - after her trip round the bay she seems to be released by Quinn and given a vehicle. The Swedish police woman locked in the freezer - she'll die in there - so presumably it's another boat trip to dump her overboard to join white trainerman. No one will come looking for her, so the Kenny family can continue their celebration meal undisturbed. Where's Quinn at the end? Do we believe Ciara's recording of him explaining the drug network will trump the gum with Aidan's prints all over it? Or is he about to join the feast, sitting next to Bjorn the embezzler on the run? And what about Shane? Will he get back with Ciara now? As for Sinead Cusack's Moira - has she no conscience, no more than the rest of them?

So, all a bit frustrating.

Decent acting let down by the tired writing

[GoodErsatz · 3/10 · 9 September 2022]

This was presented as a dramatic thriller but it should have been labeled a snooze. The acting is okay, but the story line is so incredibly hackneyed. Just ridiculous scenarios one after another. For example, after the incident on the boat, why do the two actors on the boat seem incredibly relaxed? Someone just died, yet they're acting as if it's just another day at the office.

So here is what you are going to always see on Irish TV, thanks for paying your license:

✅ Girl boss (She's tough too, she punches a bloke! Good lessons are being taught)

✅ Diverse couple (mandatory)

✅ Bad white guy (mandatory)

Why does Irish TV continue to pretend that a significant majority of the country has dark skin? Are we trying to prove something to the US? That we can out-diverse them? When can we get decent television that doesn't imply how awful white men are?

Giving this series 3 stars out of 10 because some of the scenery is pretty.

Interesting first 3 episodes, but weak plot and ending

[albertbarcellos · 3/10 · 7 February 2023]

There is a good sense of Ireland , the sea, rain and odd police culture and the fishing folk.

The village is a pleasant one and Kiera does a great job. The rest is wooden and it ends with a policewoman locked in a fridge with no care that this will bring a ton of investigation's of loss.

Maybe add. Few episodes and introduce some fire and purpose in the running of drugs and distribution.

There should some more drama from 2 new actors who are set to make or break what is a too easy , cozy set up for the kenny family.

Aidan is a dead loss and we know he is feckless , gambles and full of himself. He should be the football, but the players need to show their skills.

could be a lot better

[orlw-09298 · 3/10 · 26 September 2022]

When i saw this program advertised, i thought "here is the possibility of a good story", but half way through the first episode, i realized that it was just another poor rte production. The inclusion of Swedish influences did help a bit, but the lousy continuity seen throughout spoiled the entire program. I mean, who fixed the number plate on the van that was falling off in one shot, and miraculously fixed in the next? And why would ciara pull the rubber dinghy well up on to the sand, only to have it floating in the water a few seconds later, and back on the sand further on ?

I must admit that the only saving grace was the actress who played ciara. The others were embarrassing.

Could have been 10 stars

[admin-55780 · 5/10 · 11 November 2022]

With a love of Ireland and all things boating/fishing/north sea, my wife and I were really looking forward to this. The Characters were real, the setting authentic and of course the scenery wonderful. The script and direction was a bit loose, and there was enjoyably funny/quirky moments. We really enjoyed this, until the last episode. We both hated it, so many loose untold ends. There is a easy enough for a second series. In fact, it requires one. Both my wife and I will be bitterly disappointed, even angry and dismayed if there is not one. Also the last episode felt rushed with no suspenseful build up like everyone just wanted the series to end.

Meh

[ride-897-729359 · 4/10 · 4 November 2022]

I thought this was going to be an edge of the seat crime drama but alas its quite poor and I was underwhelmed. Acting was lame at best. Have seen better acting on aussie and US soaps. The setting in Galway was beautiful and the storyline, even tho its been used many times over in other dramas, was set to be a cracker, the poor acting of all those involved let this down. The reviewers that gave it 10 out of 10 mustn't have watched many crime dramas and probably live in a cave of some sort. This could have been so much more with better actors. Does make you want to visit Galway and work on a fishing boat tho. 4 out of 10 from me.

So bad....

[philipfoxe · 3/10 · 8 February 2023]

Read the reviews here but had to have a look. So absolutely terrible! Not the fault of the actors who give it a fair go. But it's like a scandi noir written by a ten year old. Within the first five minutes you know exactly what's going to happen...and it does! When the stranger declines to wear rubber boots and opts to retain his white trainers you know he's going to slip! And why did anyone think hauling loads of drugs instead of lobster pots would get by the skipper on a tiny boat? I laughed when he slipped and stabbed himself but roared when he banged his head. Not funny enough to make it to the end of the first episode. Does BBC four buy this stuff without watching it first?

Box ticking

[johnmansfieldips · 2/10 · 13 February 2023]

This started off OK but rapidly went downhill. The plot contrivances become increasingly ridiculous. The "baddies' were laughable and completely inconsistent in their motivations and level of badness.

Acting was inconsistent not helped by the box ticking that plagues TV these days. Yep, another mixed race couple stars. In Ireland. In rural, coastal Ireland.

The scenery was very nice hence the 2 stars. The ending seems to set it up for a second series but I would be astonished it if gets a second series so ultimately feels like a wasted opportunity and a waste of time.

One to avoid for me which is a shame as Ireland can do so much better.

Slow and not convincing

[paul-03208 · 4/10 · 15 April 2023]

When is something going to happen? Where's the connection? All set in a dreary but interesting location. The characters don't appear that convinced that they are dealing with killers. Poor writing but good actors. My partner enjoyed it but I don't know how every time I turned around she was staring at the back of her eyelids. Time to look for another show but not as bad as Vigil. That was crap. Are these Irish actors that can speak Swedish. The Swedish Police Officer seems to be floundering along finding nothing while giving smouldering looks. It's put me off seafood but not off Scandinavia. Yippee.

Decent enough mini series

[jeppepalmari · 5/10 · 3 September 2023]

It's a decent enough crime series to watch if bored and nothing else to watch at the moment. Still, there's nothing new here that hasn't been done a hundred times over already. We've seen the same story lines countless times in better shows over the decades.

I was first drawn to this because I love the Irish accent. However, I was left a bit cold at the end.

Don't really understand what the point was with the Swedish cop and the Swedish guy Björn. They should've explored the Swedish side of things way more IMO. Where the drugs came from and who the big bad Swedish drug runners were. Now they just talked a lot, but never showed anything. Pretty useless plot point.

Also, if this was such a huge drug running operation why send only one Swedish cop to Ireland? What can she really do in a foreign country? I'm not well versed in international policing, but I'd imagine she can't really do much but only be an adviser in a foreign country.