With Roger Allam (Endeavour) and Nancy Carroll (Father Brown) in the lead roles, I was expecting this series to be a bit more engaging, but the plot wasn't anything special. This show is kind of a slightly swearier, less quirky version of The Madame Blanc Mysteries, but without the 'will-they-won't-they' romance as here the couple are already established, which works just as fine. There's nothing majorly wrong with MiP, but storywise I felt like I'd seen it all before. The best thing about both of these French-set detective series is having 50+ leads female and male, as that hasn't been done enough.
172 Reviews
Very enjoyable
meredithdanderson4 March 2022
I have watched one episode so far and enjoyed it. The setting is beautiful and I liked the actors. I thought the plot was pretty good too, and I enjoyed the humor. This show reminds me of one of my favorites, Midsomer Murders!
Almost but not quite
ociopia5 March 2022
This kind of British cozy is right up my alley and of course both leads are part of the repertoire. She for Father Brown and he for Endeavor. I have watched episode 1 and I feel they haven't quite got the rhythm. It's good but kind of like a Bentley with a flat tire. Are they aiming for The Thin Man? The dialogue is snappy, witty repartee but neither seem like its something they would really say, especially him. She is reprising her role from Father Brown, oh so bored and sophisticated, but it runs very wide of the mark. He's better but I find I can't believe he's from an ultra-rich Parisian family. Nevertheless, I kind of like it and I hope they settle in. I love the settings, her clothes are such fun and it has promise.
We loved this series!
ronaldalamascus-905064 March 2022
Okay, so it's not real heavy and the stories are simple instead of complicated but Provence is undoubtedly the star of the show and we get that in spades. Some of the characters are not the best actors but there is a certain je ne se quoi between the two main characters (played by Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll) that is believable and since we are in the same demographic, we can definitely relate. An added bonus is the role of Helene played by Keala Settle, who is quite different than the formula cops in most British crime series. Yes, the setting is in France and we have to believe that everyone (mostly) is French even though they are nearly all speaking in their distinctly English dialects and mannerisms. No violence, sex, cursing or gore but with all the prerequisite gays, mixed race relationships, and any other politically correct character necessary for a series today. Just lighthearted, whimsical dry wit and charm. Enjoy.
It's not so bad. Let's see how the next episode is
Ziggy19652 March 2022
I am only watching it because of Roger Allam since I loved him in Endevour. Overall it was not so bad. The writing could have been tighter. Just find it difficult to keep track of the guest characters since they all have French names. Let's see what happens next as I feel it has some promise.
Another Fun Murder Series
BILLYBOY-102 August 2022
I love light hearted murder series with snappy repartee dialogue and quirky characters. Vera this is not! Nancy Carroll from Father Brown is perfectly matched with Roger Allam and the outdoor locations are beautiful so its a wonderful series and I hope it gets picked up for more. Probably not tho its
much to pedestrian for the gourmet viewer. Pity. Anyway I have to kill time to list at least 150 characters which is total nonsense as when I read a review it needs to be short and concise not filled with endless yack yack in useless detail.
They're Supposed to be French
susanlc-636217 March 2022
It's an OK show, a little slow for me, But what I find most distracting is that the characters are supposed to be French. They have French last names, they live in a town in Provence, the signs are French, the police are supposed to be french but they are all English actors using English accents. It's just a misfit I find hard to get around.
Excellent for weekends...
Veritas995 March 2022
I like both lead characters, fine English humor, beautiful scenery...honestly, I don't care much about murders plots, I just enjoy the dialogue, slow rhythm and beautiful landscapes...I really don't need to see a movie with violence and gunshots those days...A little too PC, though.
Endeavour cooked in Provence
kms-914614 March 2022
Slow cooking, slow investigation, rather a pretext than the real thing. Beauty of life, places food, wine, what not to enjoy. Do not expect a real criminal story, although it is there. Just relax and admire the location. Ang if you ever watched Father Brown, you will be happy to see Lady Felicia (Nancy Caroll) at her best.
Not "Meurtres à..."
berkinet10 March 2022
Trying to copy a French policier with an English speaking, and acting, cast just doesn't work. It is not the accent that is off-putting, or even the quintessentially English expressions. The problem is these are very English characters who think and act like les Anglais not Les Francais.
Utterly gorgeous!
adrian-4587 March 2022
As usual, the petty, small minded nay-sayers are out in force; "It's too this, it's not like that, too long, too much talking blah blah blah". Well, go and watch something American thing with guns and zombies and car chases.
Imagine "Death in Paradise", but for adults. Words with more than three syllables, red wine, oysters, hand-rolled cigarettes, knowing looks and furtive glances. Roger Allam is perfect, and it's always a pleasure to see the criminally underused Nancy Carroll, Patricia Hodge as wonderful as ever. Some of the supporting cast are a bit iffy, but there you go. I don't know who it is that plays Sylvie, but she looks like she's stepped straight out of a painting by Raphael! And the opening credits are vaguely reminiscent of Caravaggio!
The Art department deserve massive credit and appreciation. Total attention to detail, full of depth, richness and texture, you'd never guess that a lot of the interiors were filmed in an old school in Reading! The whole thing fits together seamlessly.
Note to some reviewers who seem to have missed the point: It's British actors playing French characters, not some expat Brits in France. Honestly!
Looking forward to watching Ep. 3 tomorrow, and I do hope they make more.
Imagine "Death in Paradise", but for adults. Words with more than three syllables, red wine, oysters, hand-rolled cigarettes, knowing looks and furtive glances. Roger Allam is perfect, and it's always a pleasure to see the criminally underused Nancy Carroll, Patricia Hodge as wonderful as ever. Some of the supporting cast are a bit iffy, but there you go. I don't know who it is that plays Sylvie, but she looks like she's stepped straight out of a painting by Raphael! And the opening credits are vaguely reminiscent of Caravaggio!
The Art department deserve massive credit and appreciation. Total attention to detail, full of depth, richness and texture, you'd never guess that a lot of the interiors were filmed in an old school in Reading! The whole thing fits together seamlessly.
Note to some reviewers who seem to have missed the point: It's British actors playing French characters, not some expat Brits in France. Honestly!
Looking forward to watching Ep. 3 tomorrow, and I do hope they make more.
Morse crashes into A Year in Provence.
brucesarn19 July 2022
Roger Allam (wonderful actor, if not a little type cast) and the setting, that is the hook. The storylines are straight out of Morse, just different tweeks, and Allam is Thaw out of a Year in Provence, with some slight variations. Sorry to any non UK readers, you have to have watched the Sweeney, Endeavour, Morse and a Year in Provence to fully appreciate what I am saying. There is an inescapable connection to those series.
What could have been brilliant was average. Why, oh why, did they not introduce French actors, albeit English speakers perhaps, to give some authenticity to the series and location. But no, they used some actors who spoke with strong varied Uk regional accents. And some of the actors were so miscast it was incredible. The assistant Gendarme Commissioner was so obviously not suited to that position in a million years, dare I say her physique was just so not correct. The Gendarmerie is a military unit, that says it all. And as for the Gendarme Commissioner, give me strength - should not have bothered introducing his character at all.
I loved it because my wife and I have lived in France for many years, it was so beautifully filmed, but so English in its interpretation - a slight insult to the French, a lovely peoples so misunderstood - by the British I am afraid.
The series is watchable, if you enjoy a murder mystery, but a simply constructed one at that. We both lost interest in the plot of all three episodes pretty quickly, but loved the scenery. And I have to say, I like Roger Allam - he is a very likable character with a dry sense of humour.
What could have been brilliant was average. Why, oh why, did they not introduce French actors, albeit English speakers perhaps, to give some authenticity to the series and location. But no, they used some actors who spoke with strong varied Uk regional accents. And some of the actors were so miscast it was incredible. The assistant Gendarme Commissioner was so obviously not suited to that position in a million years, dare I say her physique was just so not correct. The Gendarmerie is a military unit, that says it all. And as for the Gendarme Commissioner, give me strength - should not have bothered introducing his character at all.
I loved it because my wife and I have lived in France for many years, it was so beautifully filmed, but so English in its interpretation - a slight insult to the French, a lovely peoples so misunderstood - by the British I am afraid.
The series is watchable, if you enjoy a murder mystery, but a simply constructed one at that. We both lost interest in the plot of all three episodes pretty quickly, but loved the scenery. And I have to say, I like Roger Allam - he is a very likable character with a dry sense of humour.
Great cast, poor script writing
tricia3569 March 2022
Watched first episode and don't plan on continuing. The actors are tried and true, especially Roger Allam, but the writers have let them down big time. Dialogue is juvenile, plot i- got to say it - boring! Plus, everyone is always saying "jesus" in conversation. I understand once or twice but all the time?
Beautiful place, great cinematography, no way in same category of the best English mystery shows. Including Endeavour, Midsomer, Vera.
Beautiful place, great cinematography, no way in same category of the best English mystery shows. Including Endeavour, Midsomer, Vera.
Started off slow
deesmellie3 March 2022
The show started off slow, but has picked up the pace I've enjoyed it now that it has told a little of the main characters background it's gotten better. I hope they will give this show a chance and have more episodes.
Thought it was a spoof
ksearle-7751924 July 2022
I cannot believe the number of positive reviews for this programme. We started watching it as we love Provence but we soon found ourselves laughing. The acting was so terrible. In fact it reminded me of one of those spoofs that Victoria Wood used to do.
The lead actor is so slow and unbelievable and the script seems to be very weak After 20 minutes I still couldn't work out what the plot was.
The lead actor is so slow and unbelievable and the script seems to be very weak After 20 minutes I still couldn't work out what the plot was.
Slow and Dull
rosemaryandthyme7 March 2022
Something is not right with this series and I can't place my finger on it. Is it the scriptwriter who thinks she/him/their writing is so witty and clever..or is it Roger Allam's slow delivery that sounds as if he's reading from a script rather than acting? I expected more rural scenes of Provence not just buildings but maybe time will tell. Please stop pushing your political views as well, why reference the 2016 US election results for a series about murder in Provence. Slow, slow, dare I say boring plus the snooty and snobby leads; good grief what is happening to British television series these days..below par, I'm losing hope.
Fascinating mysteries with a back drop of a grown up love affair.
galuwatra19 March 2022
I found this drama absolutely enthralling. The scenery was beautiful, acting superb and cases unique. As a woman, of a certain age, I appreciated the love between the two lead characters. There are lots of laughs, as a bonus.
Disappointing
stephaniecoxon18 July 2022
Love this show!
Lesleykluchin7 March 2022
Hooray! A wonderful cozy mystery with interesting, intelligent characters. I love that the protagonists are are over 40 and have some life experience and acquired wisdom. I also think the setting is gorgeous. But mostly I enjoy a pleasant plot, murder(s) that aren't so gory that I have to turn away. I enjoy the dialogue between the main characters and I enjoy their logic and maturity as well of their fondness for one another. PLEASE make more seasons. I don't need blood and gore. I prefer intellectual dramas with good acting. And the romance is lovely. It's quite a marvelous show! I want to see more.
Room for improvement
cwkepi-435-96218410 March 2022
Really excited about this series because of the leads. But it's a bit slow and too much like a plodding Hallmark Mystery. The leads sit around chopping food way too much.
And the hell is up with the police boss who never works but rides his bike all the time?
The best character turns to be the little policewoman. She provides a measure of seriousness that legitimizes the proceedings.
Hope it gets better.
And the hell is up with the police boss who never works but rides his bike all the time?
The best character turns to be the little policewoman. She provides a measure of seriousness that legitimizes the proceedings.
Hope it gets better.
Do you remember the Thin Man series?
Kndwatson15 March 2022
Terrible acting. Wooden dialogue.
tomweir-8559922 March 2022
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