Watch Criminal: UK

Criminal: UK is a gripping crime drama that premiered on Netflix in 2019. The show takes place entirely within the confines of a police interrogation room, with each episode focusing on a different suspect as they are grilled by detectives. The season comprises of 12 episodes, each around 45-50 minutes long.

The show has an impressive cast, including popular British actors such as Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Rochenda Sandall, David Tennant, and Hayley Atwell. While the suspects change with each episode, the detectives are consistent. The cast delivers exceptional performances, and they genuinely bring their characters to life with nuanced and seasoned portrayals.

The series is a joint production between Netflix and the UK’s Canal+ and is set in the heart of the British criminal justice system. Criminal: UK showcases a unique interrogation procedure that is different from standard US-style crime shows. The British police rely on their skills of observation and perception to crack their cases; they give the suspects ample opportunity to talk without coercion, violence or any other tricks up their sleeves.

The writing is exceptional, and the show's creator, Jim Field Smith, explores themes of justice, truth, and human behavior beautifully. The show suggests that the boundary between law and ethics is a thin line, and the scripts are engineered to keep the audience guessing till the end. The show’s creators also revealed that each episode's plot was developed internally by several writers over a period of six months.

Another interesting aspect of Criminal: UK is its production design. The show’s principal filming location is a real police station in Madrid that was dressed to become a police interrogation room. The design team has paid close attention to detail, and the set looks authentic, complete with spooky, cold lighting that adds to the show’s tense atmosphere.

The episodes’ narratives are executed in a naturalistic manner, with the suspects’ performances and dialogue being the main driving force of the story. The detective’s personalities and past personal or professional conflicts are integrated into the story's fabric, providing an overall insight into their characters. The British justice system is examined in detail, and viewers get a deep sense of the professionals who are trusted to investigate and resolve criminal cases without excessive use of force.

The show's creators were insistent that the suspects be the focus of the episodes, opposed to the detectives. It works, and the episodes feel like a intense one-act play, with every question counting while the camera are fixed to each suspect's expressions or gestures. Each episode follows the same format, but the story changes completely.

Overall, Criminal: UK is a refreshing twist on the traditional crime genre. The show’s ability to maintain a high level of tension despite filming in a single location is impressive. The intricate interrogation scenes are skillfully written and directed, and the character development is extraordinary, making it a binge-worthy show. Fans of slow-burning but intense police procedural dramas will appreciate the creativity, precision, and technical brilliance of Criminal: UK.

Criminal: UK is a series that ran for 2 seasons (7 episodes) between September 20, 2019 and on Netflix