A gritty crime drama is one of the best genres out there, and thanks to its popularity, there’s never a shortage of one to tune in for. So if you missed the 2014 series Chasing Shadows, now is the perfect time to indulge yourself.
With only four episodes, consisting of two two-part stories, it’s the perfect binge-watch for the weekend, and for fans of the serious tones and character-driven plots of Broadchurch, you will find plenty to like.
Despite airing 12 years ago, the series can still be easily watched, as it continues to be available on ITVX, with no expiration date in the offing.
The synopsis of the series reads: “DS Sean Stone is intense and socially awkward, a misfit who is happier dealing with data rather than people. His lack of people skills and forthright honesty make him some powerful enemies in the force, and he finds himself exiled to missing persons.
Sean’s new caseload is overwhelming – up to 300,000 people go missing in the UK each year – but his brilliant mind turns out to be perfectly adapted to his new role. Where others see a hopeless, ever-growing sea of lost faces, Sean spots patterns that lead to victims… and their killers.
“Ruth Hattersley is the analyst from the Missing Persons Bureau tasked with working alongside Sean. She puts people first – a born connector able to get on with anyone, but Sean pushes even her patience to breaking point. DCI Pryor has ambitions and a clear plan for rising up the ranks, but all this is jeopardised when DS Stone becomes his responsibility.”
Reaction to Chasing Shadows
Overall, fans were delighted with the show, with many wishing it had been picked up for a second season. One wrote: “Chasing Shadows is gripping, intelligent, funny and worthy of a second season, trust me you’ll want another after watching the final episode.”
A second commented: “What a short-sighted decision by ITV to axe this after just one series. It is compelling viewing, great writing, intelligent cases, and genuinely terrific performances. We were left with a terrific story to tell.”
A third penned: “I was fully absorbed and for the first time in quite a while, found myself waiting impatiently for the next episode. Beautifully observed character acting, clever casting and thoughtful and riveting plots.”
However, one thing that came in for criticism was of the portrayal of DS Sean Stone, who has Asperger’s. Mark Lawson said in The Guardian: “Nervously realising that no modern cop could possibly get away with this behaviour – unless, interestingly, he admitted to a diagnosis of Asperger’s, which the scriptwriter doesn’t want to give him – the show puts Stone up on a disciplinary charge in episode two, but has to have it thrown out with unconvincing rapidity in order to get back to the murder plot.”
He concluded: “Puppies are not just for Christmas, and the autism spectrum is not just a dramatic personality quirk.”
Who stars in Chasing Shadows?
The series is led by Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen) as DS Sean Stone, with Alex Kingston (Doctor Who) playing data analyst Ruth Hattersley and Noel Clarke (Bulletproof) as DCI Carl Prior.
© ITVThe series also starred Don Warrington (Death in Paradise), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Alfie Field (The Woman In Black), Lynda Baron (Open All Hours), Doug Allen (Das Boot) and Myriam Acharki (John Carter).
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