Whitechapel: Season 1

Jack the Ripper must be dead by now. So who's killing women in the same horrible ways in the same London neighborhood more than 130 years later? Racing for a quick answer, an ambitious detective inspector (Rupert Penry-Jones, MI-5) clashes with his cynical sergeant (Phil Davis, Bleak House) even before a renowned "Ripperologist" (Steve Pemberton, The League of Gentlemen) weighs in. "Fast-paced and tense with no shortage of twists."-The Daily Telegram

The streets of Whitechapel are awash with blood. A murderer stalks the night, picking off vulnerable women and leaving them brutally butchered. The locals live in fear and the police remain clueless - with no motive, no evidence and no hope of catching this barbaric killer. Assigned to the case is fast-tracked DI Chandler - a novice in the business of murder, an expert in the politics of policing and three day courses. His fellow officers, however, are anything but. Chief among them is DS Miles, the archetypal cynical, seen-it-all detective. Tipped-off by 'Ripperologist' Edward Buchan, Chandler realizes that this modern day killer is copying the infamous Whitechapel murders, down to the very last detail. Can Chandler do what his fellow officers failed to do over 100 years before, and catch the person responsible? Cinematic and stylish, with a distinctive gothic edge and gallows wit, Whitechapel is a far cry from most police procedural dramas. Prepare for ambitious storylines, memorable, realistic characters and enough scares to keep the blood racing.

"It's clearly a flagship show for ITV1 - pricey-looking, genuinely creepy and appropriately foul ... If genre convention inevitably dictates that the grizzled cops, including Phil Davis (terrific), will loathe their posh, fast-tracked new boss (Rupert Penry-Jones) - and Steve Pemberton's helpful Ripperologist even more - the committed cast ensure that this one's a cut above." Ali Catterall, Guardian

"Unforgiven, the ITV1 drama that finished last week, offered writing and acting out of the very top drawer, and Whitechapel, which started last night, looks to be out of the next drawer down. I hate to cram too many metaphors into one paragraph, but gripping ITV1 dramas are like London buses: you wait for ages, then two come along in rapid succession ... why did I enjoy it? Partly it was the acting, by Davis and Pemberton in particular, but mostly it was S J Clarkson's direction, a little over-flashy at times but very good in the crucial business of generating mood and suspense." Brian Viner, Independent

"...it's fast-paced and tense with no shortage of twists." Michael Deacon, Daily Telegraph

"...strangely compelling..." Gareth McLean, Guardian

"This was no ordinary murder. Nor indeed was this an ordinary ITV1 thriller. Written by Ben Court and Caroline Ip, Whitechapel lifted its cape and, cackling maniacally, welcomed us into a world of sepia, intestines and Victorianised iniquity." Guardian

"It's all quite watchable, lots of long shadows and flickering streetlamps, and the amount of people who utter lines of pure Victorian melodrama like, ‘Christ have mercy!' and ‘Welcome to hell, gentlemen!' suggests that it's not taking itself too seriously." Matt Baylis, Daily Express

"Whitechapel is a thriller that doesn't take itself seriously ... Although set in the present it has a retro feel to it, with a deadpan comic turn by The League of Gentlemen's Steve Pemberton as an unhealthy Ripper expert who provides an extra whiff of Gothic oddity. It's fun to watch, but it won't have you hiding behind the sofa..." David Chater, The Times

"...it tears along at a pleasing pace." Gerard O'Donovan, Daily Telegraph

"This may be modern-day east London, but it's as gloomy as hell, moody and murky. I wouldn't be surprised if a right ol' pea-souper rolled in off the Thames ... At no point are we allowed to forget that this is a dark, urban thriller. The atmospheric strings, the metallic knife noises, the crime font in the titles ... It's not subtle, or fantastically original, or very convincing. But it is well performed, London looks good, and it's quite jolly - thrilling even, if you can stomach it. At least I had some idea of what the hell was going on." Sam Wollaston, Guardian

"A good old-fashioned three-part murder mystery ... the reliably wonderful Phil Davis - cast as his crusty detective sergeant Ray Miles..." Jane Simon, Daily Mirror

"...Detective Sergeant Miles (the ever-excellent Phil Davis) ... Steve Pemberton from The League of Gentlemen, having a high old time leading tourists along streets almost as creepy as those in Royston Vasey." Brian Viner, Independent

"Edward Buchan, a quirky, creepy "Ripperologist" (wholeheartedly played by Steve Pemberton)..."
Jim Shelley, Daily Mirror

"...a corking slice of hokum." Sarah Dempster, Guardian

"A piece of superior hokum based on the Jack the Ripper murders..." Andrew Billen, The Times

"Pick of the Day ... Five stars [out of five]" Daily Star