What separates this from the usual pic featuring Rob Lowe are the moments in every episode of genuine human interaction without maudlin Hollywood triteness. The show is charming and disarming in a way that encourages binge watching and good feelings. The scenery and cast are all top notch and everything moves along without being bogged down by overdosing on soap opera moments. Watch it alone or with family; either way you will fall under the spell of its simple charms.
162 Reviews
Sit back, feet up and have a break from reality
kymlou6726 June 2019
What to say first.......well there's been better but there's certainly been a lot worse. Casting Rob Lowe was good move, his dry humour carries the show and has delivered some good one liners. Rob Lowe's take on our policing is very humorous as he questions how things are done differently here. Yes there are some flaws and questionable plots so far but so do other fictional crime/comedy series. I could name quite a few other comedies based round a local police station were the constables undermine and talk inappropriately to higher ranking officers and unbelievable plots told.
At the end of the day, it is fictional and a black comedy with made up plots and not a serious drama which I think some have forgotten. I have rated this series an 7 with the hope that as it progresses the humour will increase.
At the end of the day, it is fictional and a black comedy with made up plots and not a serious drama which I think some have forgotten. I have rated this series an 7 with the hope that as it progresses the humour will increase.
It's a crackingly good start to a show with real potential
simon_sanos26 June 2019
As others, I started watching because I was intrigued by how Rob Lowe would shape up.
The first episode was intriguing, a surprisingly well balanced blend of dark drama, cleverly plot and character interplay. The Lincolnshire backdrop is really unusual and adds context and flavour.
The second episode was even better. The plot kept me guessing; the writing avoided the obvious clichés, the acting remained solid.
I have high hopes for the series remaining as entertaining and engaging.
Not yet a tour de force, but it's in the zone
I have high hopes for the series remaining as entertaining and engaging.
Not yet a tour de force, but it's in the zone
Not realistic but still rather fun
Tweekums19 July 2019
Bill Hixon is a US Police Chief who has just taken a new job in Boston... not the Boston in Massachusetts but the original in Lincolnshire! Here he is to take over as the Chief Constable of the fictional East Lincolnshire Constabulary. It soon becomes clear that it won't be an easy job; he isn't particularly welcome, with locals fearing he has been brought in to cut costs and thus jobs. Over the course of the series he will have to investigate a variety of crimes; most of which aren't of the type that would feature in a typical US cop show! If that weren't enough he has a fourteen year old daughter who must also settle into a new life far from home.
It is clear from the start that this will be a fairly silly series... the very first scene sees our protagonist chase crooks into a cabbage field and start throwing cabbages in frustration! While this isn't a problem there are details that will irritate some viewers... notably the fact that most of the 'locals' have Yorkshire accents and the fact that the way the police behave is very unrealistic; no Chief Constable would lead investigations and junior officers certainly wouldn't get away with talking to him the way they do here. Perhaps a little strangely these flaws didn't bother me as much as I'd expected. The stories are fun but not without their darker moments. Rob Lowe is the undoubted star of the show; doing a fine job as our protagonist; there is solid support from Bronwyn James as DC Muriel Yeardsley, the one local copper who seems to get on with Hixon; young Aloreia Spencer, who impresses as his daughter Kelsey; and Rachel Stirling, as local judge Lady Mary Harborough. The series ends with what I thought was its best episode; this wraps up some storylines but leaves others open for a future series... if there is more I'll watch. Overall I'd say that while this isn't the best British cop show I'd still recommend trying it as different to most shows and set in part of the country rarely seen on television.
It is clear from the start that this will be a fairly silly series... the very first scene sees our protagonist chase crooks into a cabbage field and start throwing cabbages in frustration! While this isn't a problem there are details that will irritate some viewers... notably the fact that most of the 'locals' have Yorkshire accents and the fact that the way the police behave is very unrealistic; no Chief Constable would lead investigations and junior officers certainly wouldn't get away with talking to him the way they do here. Perhaps a little strangely these flaws didn't bother me as much as I'd expected. The stories are fun but not without their darker moments. Rob Lowe is the undoubted star of the show; doing a fine job as our protagonist; there is solid support from Bronwyn James as DC Muriel Yeardsley, the one local copper who seems to get on with Hixon; young Aloreia Spencer, who impresses as his daughter Kelsey; and Rachel Stirling, as local judge Lady Mary Harborough. The series ends with what I thought was its best episode; this wraps up some storylines but leaves others open for a future series... if there is more I'll watch. Overall I'd say that while this isn't the best British cop show I'd still recommend trying it as different to most shows and set in part of the country rarely seen on television.
Point of interest (I have already reviewed"
a_mobbs19 June 2019
The opening episode prompted a tweet from the real Lincolnshire police as reported on the BBC
"In a tongue-in-cheek tweet, the real Lincolnshire Police said: "The inaccuracies are criminal".
"It's definitely not what we are really like."
The force said it would pass "concerns about the officers portrayed" to AC-12 - the anti-corruption unit featured in the BBC's Line of Duty.
"In a tongue-in-cheek tweet, the real Lincolnshire Police said: "The inaccuracies are criminal".
"It's definitely not what we are really like."
The force said it would pass "concerns about the officers portrayed" to AC-12 - the anti-corruption unit featured in the BBC's Line of Duty.
Wild Bill very watchable
colwoodward26 June 2019
Good solid 7
faithless473413 September 2020
Good show...this is one of those shows that you love to watch because it is JUST a show. They are not trying to feed you some message, nor are they trying to right some "real" wrong in the world. They are just trying to make a good show. Something that you can watch and relax and forget the rest of the world for an hour. So get yourself a nice cup of tea or whatever beverage you like and a snack and snuggle up with you loved one and relax. You will enjoy this show.
Very strong start
mmevanille-5309720 June 2019
This series has loads of potential. I love how the series runs the line between comedy, drama and darker elements. If you like crime drama with touches of comedy then you would love this. It will take time for the characters to settle, but this does have the characters, premise and talent to become a great show.
I will rate it at the end of the series. Lets hope the series finishes as strong as it's started.
I will rate it at the end of the series. Lets hope the series finishes as strong as it's started.
not the best cop shop, but it's a fun watch.
Deschanel1 July 2019
Not a bad effort. Rob Lowe does a fairly decent job as do the supporting cast. There a plenty of plot holes (the first episode decapitation storyline was shear stupidity).
Imagine a dumbed down version of the excelent channel 4 show No Offence.
Imagine a dumbed down version of the excelent channel 4 show No Offence.
Promising
milesahead112 June 2019
A promising start to a new police series. First episodes are always problematic to a certain extent, as setting the scene and introducing the cast of characters is challenging, especially when a crime has to be solved! A little bit of 'clunkiness' is inevitable.
I'll definitely give it another couple of episodes before passing judgement. PS: I gave it another 3 episodes and, unfortunately, it didn't develop its potential. Downgraded to 4 stars, from 6.
I'll definitely give it another couple of episodes before passing judgement. PS: I gave it another 3 episodes and, unfortunately, it didn't develop its potential. Downgraded to 4 stars, from 6.
Great potential after one episode
robtatters11 July 2019
promising
prh5830 June 2019
A police series based in Boston UK. I watched with hope as I am from Boston UK. First thing to notice; everyone speaks with a Yorkshire accent, not a Lincolnshire accent. For ITV and readers worldwide; Lincolnshire is a large county south of Yorkshire with its own history and accent. In Wild Bill buildings have been added; for example Boston has no high rise, fair enough but please get the accent right. I wonder if Morse or Endeavour would suffer from the same lack of detail; I doubt it. As for the show; Rob Lowe excellent; plot lines based around the Eastern European influx and drugs was relevant to the local community and interesting. Believability of the cast as police officers and judges etc - poor. I would hope that a senior judge would behave with more professionalism than the one in the first episode. Overall promising; lets hope it gets better and please get the accent right.
Utter Tripe
barryjames-mc16 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Rob Lowe probably thought another event in his life was the nadir of his career, but it's now safe to say this show is. I can't believe there are good reviews, it's one of the most poorly written shows I've ever seen. One moment you ask yourself, is this a comedy? Then there's a severed head in a freezer, a head that was severed in such a ludicrous manner that it's hard to believe that writer was not fired on the spot. The show goes from painfully unfunny "humour" to seemingly serious crime investigation, it's not nuanced or subtle, it just does not work.
The gaping holes in the plot of the story (I could only manage 2 episodes) were ridiculous, how this script got green lit I do not know. From getting a ticket for speeding on a bicycle, moronic, to why anyone would steal satellite dishes, to why or how a head got into a freezer after being lopped off in a field in the middle of nowhere.
This show is so awful, so very very bad, so moronic, that I cannot fathom how the script never ended up in recycle bin after one cursory glance
The gaping holes in the plot of the story (I could only manage 2 episodes) were ridiculous, how this script got green lit I do not know. From getting a ticket for speeding on a bicycle, moronic, to why anyone would steal satellite dishes, to why or how a head got into a freezer after being lopped off in a field in the middle of nowhere.
This show is so awful, so very very bad, so moronic, that I cannot fathom how the script never ended up in recycle bin after one cursory glance
Surprisingly watchable English Cop TV show with very good Rob Lowe
akcenat1 September 2019
"Wild Bill" is new English comedy-drama and it stars Rob Lowe as senior police officer Bill Hixon, who has relocated from Miami to the unlikely destination of East Lincolnshire, which has the highest murder rate in England and the worst record of racial and ethnic integration, as the new chief constable. No matter how unbelievable this might be in a reality, there is a fair smattering of amusing and sharp writing. Overall, the plot's a bit threadbare but it has the charm of Rob Lowe to keep it ticking along. If you are an English you will probably hate it, for rest of us, it can be funny, no matter how silly it is. I did like it.
Rating: 6/7-
Rating: 6/7-
this is fun why so critical?
ib011f9545i17 July 2019
This is a sort of comedy drama.
It is not a hard hitting realistic drama.
People saying that this series is not realistic,wrong accents and so on seem a bit harsh to me.
I watched the first episode and have kept watching it,it is fun and I like the Lincolnshire locations.
Of course the accents are all over the place,crazy to expect all the actors to have great accents.
The critic Alison Graham in the Radio Times is very harsh on this programme but she never likes anything.
The critic Alison Graham in the Radio Times is very harsh on this programme but she never likes anything.
Inherently watchable
s327616927 July 2019
Wild Bill's an interesting proposition that places a US cop in a UK setting. The cultural and interpersonal differences and similarities blend well, as does an excellent performance from Rob Lowe and the cast.
The results a series that's inherently watchable, with decent stories to back up the quality characterizations. My only regret is the first season has been limited to six episodes.
Look forward to a possible second season. 7/10 from me.
The results a series that's inherently watchable, with decent stories to back up the quality characterizations. My only regret is the first season has been limited to six episodes.
Look forward to a possible second season. 7/10 from me.
Fun Rob Lowe show.
jjlawler-9832417 September 2019
Worth the wait, Yes
pikieone15 June 2019
The mix of dry arse humour, one liners, the general plot, characters, all have the potential to be a good, funny & entertaining comedy/drama. I agree with Nick_Brett, its a 10/1 outsider but could be an odds on favourite(depending of writers!). Keep it up. Worth sticking with.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE
carolsdquinn8 August 2021
No. Just, no.
GB6519 June 2019
Where do you start? Ok, with the good. Rob Lowe is as Rob Lowe does. That's that sorted. The bad. An Asst Chief Constable played by a 28yr old actress who looks even younger, a DC who looks like she's on work experience from school and two to three gobby coppers who, if they spoke to any senior officer like that never mind the Chief Constable, they'd be walking home with their batons up their jacksies. Judging by the accents, Yorkshire has invaded, the acting is straight out of a 70's kids' programme and........ Let's just leave it there. Well done ITV, another reason not to watch your trash.
Great show
mattdeanmartin22 June 2019
A bit silly
martyn056312 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This first episode was stupid for many reasons
1. Who the hell steals Satellite dishes they are worth ANYTHING
2, Who has a Cannabis farm in a WW2 bunker where theres no power?
3. How the hell does someone jump of a wind turbine and behead themselves on the way down?
Apart from all that having a Yank as a Chief Constable is totally believable NOT
I really hope it gets better after this ridiculous start
Why
yentruoc-9537913 June 2019
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