Dark Heart (2016–2018) User Reviews

More feeling than logic

[buckybarkingham-41226 · 6/10 · 31 December 2018]

DI Wagstaffe comes across as a fairly competent detective, but he seems to rely on feelings more than logic in his personal life. Considering the severity of the crimes he investigates there seems to be a marked lack of support officers. For example in episode 3 & 4 it seems that Special Branch should have gotten involved considering the possible international connections of the criminals. We also see a surprising lack of discipline in handling evidence with some left lying on his desk instead of being logged in and properly stored. This series is not up to the normal standard of the better British police procedurals.

Odd but good

[thomasjay-2201 · 7/10 · 15 November 2018]

The show is impressive, following in the footsteps of life on mars perhaps most notably within which our protagonist solves various, exclusive cases over a number of episodes Will Wagstaffe (Tom Riley) balances a gruesome career with difficult family and personal relationships and the carrying of grief from his mid teenage years after the death of his parents. Strangely there's not much to link audience and character but still it's fascinating following an emotionally removed and calculated character playing the game so to speak in his day to day dealings. Exploring different murder situations/cases there's a real scale of ability on show adding a level of depth to our protagonist that might not have been there otherwise. Shot quite artfully in a grim, deteriorated Urban London the murders are horrific and the tone is constant and looming in a fantastic manner. Sadly there's a few predictable twists and turns but that's part and parcel of being a mainstream British made police drama, there's little wiggle room so to speak for originality, ending on a heart pounding twist leaving the audience begging for more I recommend a single viewing at least to enjoy a pretty solid slightly art house series

Flawed but compulsive

[keith-618 · 8/10 · 17 November 2018]

Great idea and great acting. Tom Riley, Charlotte Riley and Amanda Raison are wonderful actors and it's worth watching the series just for them. The problem is the plotting; it all feels underwritten, or more likely either over edited. There's a lot of "what happened there?" moments. Nevertheless, still a superior bit of TV drama.

Quite good but with an oddity

[blakedw · 6/10 · 24 May 2017]

Most of this is a workmanlike unspooling of a mysterious series of killings. The victims are all men who were accused of sexually abusing children but whose cases were not brought to trial. Links are found to a killing which took place two years ago, but the man who did that confessed and is in prison. He was father to the abused child. But parents of the children abused by those targeted in the latest round all have alibis. Helped by some very good performances, notably by the lead actor, the riddle is unwound.. But the narrative is confused by a scene which seems pointlessly confusing inserted for no apparent reason.

Potential but needs better cast

[BBogus · 6/10 · 23 June 2019]

Protagonist is ok, not great though. Female cast is horrendous, worst is Mohindra. Also agree with another reviewer not enough police work and too much boring soap opera personal life. Luther vibes?? They could only wish! You need a great personality, character, actor to pull that off. Wasted potential.

Variable in pace, but reasonably interesting... so far

[daniele-iannarelli · 6/10 · 1 November 2018]

Having only seen the first episode, it's impossible to give an overall opinion on the bigger picture of the series. However, it seems - so far - off to a reasonably good start.

This interesting vigilante concept (à la "Death Wish) starts off with a strong method of hooking the viewer into this story of a sensitive issue. It does, though, quickly slow down... then picks up a bit... then slows down... and so it goes.

The seemingly left-orientated writer/s also can't resist the usual right-wing baiting at the beginning. The detective in charge of the case gives a rundown to his team. One (or more?) of his team balks at his reference to the (unconvicted) paedophile as the "victim", to which he goes off on a left-wing rant to suggest that anyone who doesn't like that reference should go off and exchange tweets with Katie Hopkins (or words to that effect).

Firstly, I object to the constant barrage of left-wing bias in these programmes, and secondly the premise that anyone leaning to the right - in this particular case - cares not a jot for the rule of law (the totally unjustified Katie Hopkins reference). Load of absolute nonsense, and I'm sick of it. Maybe though, the whole idea is that this detective has to be shown to be hypocritical, as the actor does seem to project a strong element of (the character's) self-doubt and personal failings.

The acting, generally, is reasonable (but may get better in future episodes), the script-writing (again) reasonable and the plot interesting. Hopefully the periods of slow-pace (in fact, painfully slow at times) experienced in this first episode will diminish as the plot develops.

We... shall... see...

Unfinished

[allisonjoys · 6/10 · 2 February 2022]

Had I known this wasn't a complete series but a canceled one I wouldn't have bothered. I did enjoy it though. Only criticism is none of the female characters were likable.

Brilliant police drama

[frannagi · 9/10 · 17 November 2018]

Good cast and storyline love the two parts stories on path with Luther ..need more police dramas on this level

Another Lone Ranger

[Cilica · 7/10 · 27 September 2019]

I understand the back story of the Dark Heart, sure but we'd never allow another person at work of any other dangerous job - example: firefighting, etc to go off alone from his team. Then why are TV Series continuing to view damaged humans in lead detective roles running off to solve everything on their own. Being beat up because you don't have back up isn't smart, its stupid.....but over and over we still witness the making of Police shows where Lone Ranger run about.

I do like the show but skip over the lone ranger parts, I don't need them to tell me the story or give me conclusions as the storyline stands on its own. STOP ENOUGH. :)

Don't Waste Your Time

[eughen · 2/10 · 8 May 2020]

This show will just leave you hanging on so many levels. We watched it on Amazon. The first episode 0 (Directors cut) is okay. At least they finished the storyline. It is repeated however with the next two episodes (1-2) which is very confusing. So either watch episode 0 by itself or episodes 1 and 2 together to get the first story (case). But that is only the beginning of confusing...

Episodes 3 and 4 begin another storyline (case). But it just abruptly ends without completing the story IMHO. We started episode 5 thinking that the story from 3 and 4 would continue, but it didn't. It just leaves you hanging. Again were were just confused.

Episode 5 begins another story (case) that concludes with episode 6. I say concludes, because they do solve the case, but the conclusion of the episode is intertwined with the detective's personal storyline which again leaves you hanging with nothing resolved.

Maybe they were hoping that there would be a series 2 to tie everything together? But based on what I've seen so far, I would seriously doubt that.

Can't wait for more...

[khmora · 10/10 · 20 November 2018]

I just started watching the first season of Dark Heart directed by Colin Teague yesterday afternoon and had to pause on episode 5. I returned to it today and got to episode 6 and to my surprise that was the end. WHY!? This show left me hanging on so many levels. It will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat trust me (especially episode 6). I for some reason thought there were 8 episodes... Please, please let there be another season 2 and 3....so I/all those who enjoyed this first season can see what happens next. I think the acting in the show portrayed by Tom Riley(DI Will Wagstaffe), Anjli Mohindra(DC Josie Chancellor), and, Charlotte Riley(Juliette), and, Miranda Raison(Sylvie) is top-notch. Can't wait for more... 👌👍

Can't hold my attention ...

[paulp-29549 · 2/10 · 30 November 2019]

I'm trying to watch with interest but it is so slow and boring that my concentration is frequently lapsing, so I'm writing this review instead. The deadpan characters aren't helping either.

Is the storyline hard to follow or are my lapses to blame?

Dark

[jmumford-04735 · 10/10 · 7 November 2018]

After watching two episodes quite intrigued where this will go. Shot like bbc Sherlock but the cumberbatch. The characters are complex without explanation but offers a great chance to be very dark.enjoying so far

Editing by Instagram?

[khunkrumark · 2/10 · 4 November 2018]

Congratulations to the ITV drama department for producing the first British cop drama filmed almost entirely through a bottle of brown ale!

We can add this to the already successful styles of British TV dramas that audiences are falling in love with... like shaky cam, and of course, pointless but awesome flashbacks.

If only someone would make a drama with the cameras upside down and filmed from behind a brick wall through a swimming pool, then we'd be sure to regain our spot as the world's best telly makers!

I'd comment on the story but, like the rest of the country, I haven't got a clue what's going on and I don't have enough life left in me to give a damn!

More absolute garbage from the minds of idiots. Avoid!

Pole axed by staff!

[bigjrowe · 8/10 · 14 November 2018]

Good show with a good cop with a bad past whom don't mind bending the rules!

Very mediocre

[cokeeffee · 5/10 · 10 December 2018]

The plot lines are ok but the show is let down by poor acting and 2 dimensional characters. Tom Riley isn't very convincing as a tough cop who plays fast and loose with the rules and it seems he's unable to act without something in his hands.

Great show love it over here in the US!

[orchidami · 10/10 · 4 November 2019]

Please bring this show back for more seasons. It's very twisted and dark good story. The cliff hanger ending has us wanting more and now we are not sure if his sister is just lying or is it the mental illness talking? The lead actor is quite good as well as the rest of the cast. You have an audience in the US it makes Brit Box worth the subscription.

Confusing and uninteresting

[qui_j · 2/10 · 9 November 2018]

This is one of the most confusing series on TV. It's as if the writers got up each day and wrote sections without remembering what they had written the day before. As a result, there is little continuity and only total confusion. The acting is wooden and this makes the characters all appear shallow and uninteresting. One soon loses interest in the plot because it's so convoluted and confusing. Just not worth the effort to watch to the end.

Great series just wanted more

[kimnisbet · 10/10 · 22 April 2020]

Pity there's only 6 episodes, it was a brilliant series. Great story lines in 2 parts.

Boring

[williammeimei · 3/10 · 9 November 2018]

Too much personal life and not enough Police work.

Luther vibes

[MaxmillianM · 10/10 · 26 November 2018]

I have watched four episodes so far and I really like it. It is dark and quirky and the lead actor is very likeable. His ways of conducting investigations remind me a little of Luther.

Destroyed By Dreadful Casting & Lack of Tension

[Ladybbird-269-945146 · 1/10 · 17 November 2018]

The acting is deadpan and cold, especially by the female cast. Anjli Mohindra is one of the worst actresses I have ever watched. I remember her from the Bodyguard & she was terrible in that also.Scripts werent bad, but not expanded enough and the whole of series 1 did not bring any tension or atmosphere in any of the episodes. I doubt it will be renewed for S2 unless they recast, as least, the 2 female actresses that played police.

V ery good

[gmorgan51-158-682165 · 8/10 · 10 December 2018]

V ery good first season. Hope a second season is in the making.

Distinctly average

[lampyswift · 3/10 · 8 November 2018]

Average acting, unbelievable characters, never grabs hold of you like half-decent shows do. The most annoying part of it is that it is all filmed in a ridiculously dark way, perhaps for some sort of effect (which doesn't work). The police station looks like some old primary school from the war that has never been updated. Why do we keep seeing these? Go back to the good old days of The Bill (before they did the same to that) and have police stations that look like police stations. When first watching this I actually wondered if it was based in the 60s but evidently not as you watch further on. Another poor drama from ITV who seem to be struggling to keep up with the dramas on offer from the BBC.

British shows generally get lower ratings

[heibeinh · 8/10 · 10 December 2021]

This is very well done show. It is gritty, well-acted & written & yes, dark. We generally don't pay attention to IMDb reviews for British or Aussie shows.

Maybe there are not enough reviews for the aggregate scores to kick in. Believe me, this show is NOT Vera. Wish there were more seasons.