Ellis’s unconventional dynamic is the most heartwarming thing about this detective series

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When we last saw Ellis (Sharon D Clarke) and Harper (Andrew Gower), they were relaxing with a drink at a local pub. After a rocky start when they first met, they’d developed a good working relationship, and by the end of the three-episode story, it was clear they were both starting to let their guard down.

We’re happy to be back for season 2! The cases in Ellis are still challenging and realistic, and the connection between Ellis and Harper remains a highlight of this charming show.

The classic pairing of detective partners who initially seem like total opposites – starting with awkwardness and gradually building a friendly rapport – isn’t new. We’ve seen this play out in many detective shows, including popular series like True Detective, Unforgotten, McDonald & Dodds, and the more recent show, Lynley.

It’s always compelling to watch the shifting power dynamics in relationships, and the connection between Ellis and Harper was particularly interesting. Many viewers initially doubted their bond would develop into a real friendship. A key moment, like Harper waiting in the lobby and mistakenly believing another woman was Ellis, perfectly illustrated the subtle but hurtful experiences Black women often encounter at work. Showing this scene helped to visualize those everyday micro-aggressions.

Despite some initial awkwardness, everyone quickly settled in thanks to a lot of understanding, good intentions, and a shared commitment to doing the work well. This smoothed things over during the first season.

I never expected things to develop this way – seeing them playfully joke about The Godfather on the way to investigations, Harper becoming so involved with Ellis’s daughter Grace, or Harper taking the lead so Ellis could have some time off. But it’s happening, and it’s really heartwarming to see.

This season of Ellis follows the detectives as they travel to different towns across the UK. The first few episodes focus on the murder of a well-known and respected local businessman, which quickly attracts a lot of attention. Later episodes move to the village of Elmsly, where a university student is found dead after being crushed by scaffolding at a construction site.

As a big fan of this show, I’m really impressed by how it tackles complex issues. This season, it’s diving into things like the challenges faced by migrants, the need for criminal justice reform, and the pervasive problem of corruption – and it does it all through the eyes of the character Ellis, sparking some really important conversations.

Even when dealing with difficult and sometimes disturbing cases, the heart of the show always comes back to its main characters, who offer a sense of hope and stability.

The show continues to balance humor and drama, especially with the developing relationship between Ellis and Harper, but Ellis remains the central character. It’s unfortunate that seeing a Black woman lead a detective series is still uncommon on television. That’s why it’s so important that the show got off to a strong start, was renewed for a second season, and is now back for more episodes.

With many TV shows sticking to familiar formulas, it’s refreshing to see Ellis’s show continue and its main character stay true to herself. We also see Harper grow more confident and self-assured in the second season, much like Ellis.

It’s obvious the DS greatly respects Ellis and her work – he made a big change in his career to travel with her, so it must mean a lot to him. It’s charming to see their relationship, especially with Harper appearing to understand Ellis’s unique way of speaking.

You know, revisiting these two, it’s obvious their working relationship and friendship have really deepened since we last saw them. Honestly, while I can see how some viewers might have wanted that evolution to be more visible on screen, I actually found the sense of a pre-existing, comfortable bond really enriching. It felt like we were catching glimpses of a history they already shared, and I appreciated that subtle shorthand.

What really struck me about this season is how it grounds everything in the realities of police work – that’s truly the core of the show. But it’s not all procedural; the chemistry between the partners is fantastic. They have a genuine rapport, and that’s what elevates Ellis beyond a simple crime drama, giving it a real emotional depth that I really appreciate.

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Ellis season 2 begins on Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March at 9pm on 5.

Don’t miss out! Add Ellis to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download it today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-10 14:10