A Preview of ‘The Chelsea Detective’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say, that the crime drama is a dominant genre in television themed storytelling, and it makes sense as to why. After all, these shows not only provide the viewer with a sense of justice in a world full of chaos, since the good guys always win, but they genuinely provide the viewer with an incredible escape. For crime dramas these days are set in dystopia worlds where intelligent evil reigns supreme and being plunged into a world that wild and that dark, really does allow for a comfortable return to our own flawed one and that is why network after network keeps churning out these uniquely bleak shows… to give the audience what they want and tell some wild stories in the process.

But what is amazing, is that the demand for these stories is so high and the world has become so frustrating, that going darker isn’t quite the answer anymore to pleasing an audience and that’s led to quite the shift in the industry. For now, cozy mysteries are on the rise and are being embraced by fans of crime dramas everywhere and even the shows that feature a touch of grit and realism are shifting in tone as well, and it just so happens that Acorn TV is about to debut a revolutionary crime drama entitled, The Chelsea Detective. Which is a series that shakes up the formula even further to provide its viewers with something that is not only engaging and relatable, but offers up a different kind of escape, and we here at Nerds That Geek have seen the series in advance and would like to take a moment today to preview its wonder in a spoiler-free manner of course.

Because spoiling the exact details would be rude but there is plenty that we can celebrate without doing that. Such as the fact that this series presents the world in a vastly more relatable light than most crime dramas out there. Which means that the harsh blue filters and intense musical stings and elaborate crime scenes aren’t present here. There’s just our world in all its flawed glory and the crimes here aren’t related to elaborate schemes, they’re just the ones you read about on the web or see on the news, and they are solved by everyday people that are struggling with their own problems and issues and are just doing their best to get by like the rest of us. Which makes this series, something of a throwback to 1970s and 1980s crime dramas. Where the characters were supremely human in nature and their good nature allowed for the escape in question. 

But at the same time, this is a series that doesn’t go too far in its homage and makes sure it grounds itself in the real world and it accomplishes that, by offering up incredible diversity through representation. Which is how our world looks now and representation matters and that gives this story a rich tapestry of characters that everyone can latch onto and relate to, and it also doesn’t hurt, that this show deals with some supremely realistic and relatable themes and concepts as well. Which help to remind us that we are a part of a greater whole and we are never alone in this world, and that oddly provides the viewer with a sense of comfort, one that is further enhanced by the quest for justice in this tale. Since our intrepid detectives, Detective Inspector Max Arnold and Detective Sergeant Priya Shamsie, do what they do not out of broken psyches, but a genuine sense of right and wrong, which is refreshing.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Max and Priya are played by two stunningly talented actors, Adrian Scarborough and Sonita Henry respectively, and that is of note because the two of them… really sell every single moment in this series. For their performances are earnest and genuine and outright brilliant and the vulnerability they offer regarding their characters is another reason why you immediately find yourself lost in their world and eager to see them succeed, and their chemistry is top notch, and the best news of all, is that we don’t have to wait all that much longer for the arrival of this unique show. For The Chelsea Detective makes its debut on Acorn TV on March 7, 2022, and we here at Nerds That Geek hope you check out this refreshing new show come next week and that you check back with us for more coverage of this series. Since we have interviews with Adrian and Sonita to share with all of you before this dynamic new crime drama hits the airwaves.

As an added bonus, here is the trailer for the show and a first-look clip! 

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Trailer

First-Look Clip