The Bletchley Circle, The British and The Corrie Years TV picks Metro News

I just caught the first episode today and I was quite impressed. This looks like it could be the best thing ITV has done since Downton Abbey.

The Bletchley Circle is also a period piece like Downton Abbey and is set during and just after World War 2.

Four women who were former Bletchley Park code breakers re-unite to help their friend track down a serial killer using the sleuthing skills they accrued during the war.

This show, like Downton, is very realistic in its story telling and the plot seems very well thought out, will definitely be checking it out next week.

Loved it.

Great characters, acting, production values and setting it in the 50's just seemed brilliant.

Real slow burn for the first 25 minutes as the characters are introduced, then it really pushed on as they pursue the case.

The way the heroines were viewed/treated in such a male dominated period was uncomfortable but fascinating.

Really can't wait to see the remaining 2 episodes.

The way the heroines were viewed/treated in such a male dominated period was uncomfortable but fascinating.

That was pretty interesting, also interesting was the only man that treated the lead character with respect was the Police Chief and that was only due to the fact he knew by the way she acted that she was in intelligence.

It was also a bit funny that she could not tell her husband what she was doing during the War because it was a national secret, he thinks she is just a cryptic puzzle freak and not a former intelligence officer.

This show reminds me of a more realistic and down to earth x-men type of show with the different special abilities the women all have. While they are not superhuman abilities they are definitely above average.

Another great ep.

Another great ep.

Cannot wait 'till EP 3. Very good writing/acting and a very original story.

Cannot wait 'till EP 3. Very good writing/acting and a very original story.

Seems to be the consensus so far, pity only three of us have bothered to watch it.

I guess whirlpoolers arent big fans of psychological thrillers?

I guess whirlpoolers arent big fans of psychological thrillers?

I hadn't heard of this but the premise seems interesting so I think I will check out the first episode and see how it goes. Then only thing I don't like with new shows is if they get cancelled after one series before wrapping up the story. So hopefully if I enjoy this, this isn't the case.

Then only thing I don't like with new shows is if they get cancelled after one series before wrapping up the story.

It's a 3-part series, so there's not a huge investment there and those 3 episodes ensure the story arc is completed.

I'm holding off watching the 2nd till I get the 3rd for some back-to-back action. Glad to see the 2nd was well received.

I guess whirlpoolers arent big fans of psychological thrillers?

I think it's more that this is something that can easily fly under the radar.

Ah its just a 3 part series. Hmmm might give it a miss then. The concept it seems would be good for a regular series.

Ah its just a 3 part series. Hmmm might give it a miss then. The concept it seems would be good for a regular series.

A lot of the best British shows are only 3 or 4 episode series, Luther, The Shadow Line, Line of Duty are all good examples of 3 episode series.

With British TV it seems the shorter the amount of eps per series the better the quality is, the above mentioned shows are in god tier territory, and the finale for bletchley looks like it will come close to joining that rarefied atmosphere.

Nice finale, hope they bring it back for another season.

Nice finale, hope they bring it back for another season.

It was. Perhaps a 6 or 8 part 2nd series would be great,new movie online.
Did not seem to be any interest here among the CH BT crowd.

Did not seem to be any interest here among the CH BT crowd.

I think the title of the series put people off, just like "Downton Abbey" did, one sounds like a church the other like a sewing circle, but the fact is they are both great shows with titles that make them sound like they are about something they are not.

I think the title of the series put people off, just like "Downton Abbey" did, one sounds like a church the other like a sewing circle

Not if you know your history, it's exactly what drew me in. What they really should make is a series about Bletchley Park itself, and the Colossus in particular. Could still tell it from the women's point of view, but would include the main players esp Turing.

pity only three of us have bothered to watch it.

= false

whirlpoolers arent big fans of psychological thrillers?

Much as I welcome it or any quality UK drama, the reason something like Bletchley isn't a huge hit here is because;

1. the kind of demographic who would be interested in such a program don't torrent TV and don't know about it. They wait for such proggys to appear on 'Auntie' after pay has finished with it ...which takes years, exacerbated by the fact that,

2. those who do torrent and frequent Whirlfool are by and large 'new gen teenage' 15~30yo males, so a proggy which doesn't have a familiar script a moron US audience could comprehend, + excessive volume, a car chase, shoot out and hot babes with strong sexual overtones throughout which can be neatly wrapped up within the limits of their attention span a 45 min episode isn't really going to receive much attention – or frustratingly, have many seeds.

So pathetic is media at every level including FTA at pandering to this target audience and thus desperate am I for anything to watch which doesn't fit the above criteria, I even watch Downton Dross Abbey for the frocks. Pretty it may be, but its script and egalitarian 'etiquette' are straight from "Eastenders". Anything resembling period reality in mores or manners it simply ain't m'boy.

We watched the three episodes of The Bletchley Circle last night and found the series OK. It was a little far fetched with many assumptions being made leading to the case being solved. It was worth watching.

I found about the series at this website:

The website provides a review of upcoming crime shows on British TV. I am also 'obtaining' the series "Mrs Biggs" which gets a good write up here as well. Lilyhammer is another series I am 'accumulating'!

We will watch Parade's End over the next night or so.

I have found the site above excellent.

P.S. Now if you really want a quality UK drama to watch, find "Parade's End". Episode Five (final of five) to air tonight in the UK.

Combined BBC/HBO effort with stunning production values, outstandingly cast, and with a solid screenplay adaptation from book to screen. The best BBC or indeed UK drama in a long time by far. Mind, viewing caution needs to be exercised as it is a proggy for 'grown ups'. 'Teens' will declare themselves 'bored' in two minutes, and even if they persevere, lost within 'five'.

P.P.S. Part Three of "Bletchley" is 'up' BTW. Only XviD (.avi) yet, but h264 (.mp4) shouldn't be far off, 720P that is.

Not if you know your history, it's exactly what drew me in. What they really should make is a series about Bletchley Park itself, and the Colossus in particular. Could still tell it from the women's point of view, but would include the main players esp Turing.

Yes I agree, a prequel would be a lot nicer, perhaps having a side story involving the enigma would complement the colossus quite well too.

perhaps having a side story involving the enigma would complement the colossus quite well too,cheap dvds online australia.

Yeah you'd have to cover both the English & German sides to tell the story properly. The crucial part on the Bletchley side are the implications for modern computing, especially Turing's contribution.

The crucial part on the Bletchley side are the implications for modern computing, especially Turing's contribution.

SBS recently had a doco/drama covering Turing's life and the disgraceful way the government, police and courts treated him. Which ultimately lead to his suicide.

The British Government recently apologised to him for this treatment.

Great little series, wish there was more of it. I wonder if there were many women like Susan, finding civilian life just a bit too dull and absolutely itching to get stuck into something that made use of their analytical skills once again.

wonder if there were many women like Susan, finding civilian life just a bit too dull and absolutely itching to get stuck into something that made use of their analytical skills once again.

Many, but that also included many men too. e.g. How can a job even as clerk or minor manager in a tyre factory compete with flying a Mosquito on ops? After the war, men went back to mundane jobs and women too. That's just real life.

I found about the series at this website:

Thanks for pointing out that site. It will be useful to me for finding British series to watch, they come and go so quickly I often miss good ones.

Strange thing though, the first article when I went there was "The Glades". Easily digestible, but not exactly gourmet.

Seems to be the consensus so far, pity only three of us have bothered to watch it.

I'd just seen Anna Maxwell Martin in "Accused". It seems like she prefers her roles to have a bit substance to the character.

Great show.

It seems like she prefers her roles to have a bit substance to the character.

Although reportedly she did tell journalists "I don't like playing saps", more likely the other way around.

Roles she is offered are ones requiring visual character that an 'Oh so beautiful' pretty face just can't provide with sufficient suspension of disbelief UK audiences can be convinced to swallow, at least those who aren't "Eastenders", "Emmerdale" or "Coronation Street" addicts. e.g. She was so right as the lead in BBC's recent remake of "South Riding", and you might remember her in a relatively minor but definitely noticeable role in another worthy BBC period drama of a few years ago now, "North and South".

Despite some gaping plot holes, nevertheless "The Bletchley Circle" too was most enjoyed in this household with Anna Maxwell Martin again playing a captivating lead. The still Maunsell era lined green of the SR corridor thirds notwithstanding (by 1952, even given post war austerity SR hangers on would've been Bulleid green if not repainted BR custard 'n cream in the BR amalgam emerged from the preceding six years of Atlee's egalitarian, nationalised post war 'Brave New World'), the era authenticity production values were, generally, to be applauded. The so identifiable Wolsleys, Austins, Bedfords and even going to the trouble of CGI St Pancras' roof illustrated ITV's commitment to spending a penny along the same lines as they've done with "Downton Abbey", "Marple" et al in the wake of their success with period costume and its nostalgic appeal to audiences both young and old. Although another minor plot hole just as forgiveable as the train on the basis of availability and portrayal sixty years on of the feel of the era generally theatrical licence, pleasingly nevertheless I think I even spotted a two tone Morris Oxford III in there. More just like it please ITV.

And on that note, it seems so.

Haven't watched other than the trailer yet noting the original author, director/screenwriter, cast, etc, but ITV's "The Scapegoat" looks promising...and as a bonus, Jodhi May appears in it. I'd even suffer enduring an episode of "Eastenders" et al in the unlikely event she should ever deign to make a guest appearance. Mmmmm... :)

glad to find thread on this show, nice one