Lynley review: ’00s detective series gets a subtle reimagining

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While The Inspector Lynley Mysteries had some success on TV in the early 2000s, it’s probably not a show many people would ask to bring back today. Even the dedicated fans who petitioned for another season – over 17,500 of them – might have lost track of it over the years.

These days, it’s common for popular stories to get revived or remade. This new version, which originally aired on BritBox in the US last summer, is now finally being shown on BBC One in the UK.

Now called simply ‘Lynley,’ this four-part drama is based on the popular novels by Elizabeth George, which were frequently New York Times bestsellers. However, the series updates the story by making its main characters younger, giving them more contemporary attitudes, and lessening the differences in their social backgrounds.

Unlike the traditional aristocratic hobbies of horseback riding and cricket, Inspector Lynley, played by Leo Suter, prefers to unwind with a simple run. And his modern, sparsely furnished apartment doesn’t exactly reflect a wealthy upbringing.

Despite everything, the show understands that the connection between these two characters needs to be just as captivating as the cases they investigate.

Like many iconic mismatched partners, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers don’t get along at first. Havers tries (and fails) to connect with Lynley by sarcastically sharing details about her family, saying, “My parents are in the iron and steel industry – my mother does the ironing, and my father steals.”

Throughout the episode, the couple keeps arguing while investigating the mysterious death of the island owner, who was found washed up on the shore at the very beginning of the show.

Havers is shocked when Lynley dismisses a suspect based on their education and background, even when the evidence points to their involvement. He argues that someone from a privileged upbringing wouldn’t be capable of such a crime, suggesting that a person’s background is impossible to erase. “Are you seriously suggesting that wealthy people don’t commit murder?” Havers asks, disbelievingly.

As expected, the two eventually begin to respect each other and work together effectively, using their combined detective skills to solve each mystery within a concise 90-minute timeframe. Thankfully, the writer, Steve Thompson (known for Doctor Who), wisely chose not to turn their working relationship into a romance.

Just like the first series, the connection between Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small feels genuinely platonic, which is a welcome change in a genre that often assumes people can’t be just friends.

Suter and Barclay, who recently appeared in the holiday film Christmas Karma and the thriller Prime Target, still have great on-screen chemistry. Their contrasting styles – Suter playing the reserved and polite Lynley, and Barclay as the more impulsive Havers – are what make this series revival work so well.

Despite his flaws, Thomas Lynley remains a compelling character. He’s known for his sophisticated style – think expensive tweed coats and classic cars like a 1970s Jensen Interceptor that even a car enthusiast like Jeremy Clarkson would admire. This polish and refinement are a refreshing change in the world of mystery novels.

Havers is more assertive and confident than the detective she replaced. However, her male colleagues often mistake her determination for defiance. As one ex-partner warned Lynley, Havers has a habit of leaving people frustrated and scrambling in her wake.

The show doesn’t delve into issues of gender within the police force as naturally as it does class differences, but it does raise some interesting points. For example, would a male officer receive the same lenient treatment if the problem was just a personality conflict?

The first episode effectively re-establishes the dynamic between the two main characters. Their different home lives – Lynley seems distant from his family, while Havers still lives with hers – highlight how different their backgrounds are. The supporting cast is strong, featuring Daniel Mays – a familiar face in police dramas like Line of Duty, Des, and Code 404 – as Lynley’s competitive boss, Nies, along with Joshua Sher as the forensic scientist, Simon, and Michael Workéyè as the tech expert, Tony.

The story’s complex mystery keeps you guessing, with plenty of misleading clues and unexpected twists. Almost everyone connected to the victim – including the greedy son, quiet housekeeper, and unfaithful daughter-in-law – looks like a potential suspect. The reveal is truly surprising, especially when a shocking event – a hand grenade – adds to the chaos.

The second episode really kicks off the personal drama when Lynley’s ex-girlfriend, Helen (Niamh Walsh), appears. Lynley attempts to hide his emotions, but Havers is determined to uncover what he’s feeling.

The season concludes with a dramatic finale, raising the stakes by introducing drug trafficking and religious phenomena. This gives actor Gustaf Skarsgård a chance to showcase his action skills, reminiscent of his role in Vikings, during a thrilling chase scene in a warehouse.

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Lynley doesn’t offer anything particularly new to the crime drama genre. Like many shows of its kind, it frequently features dramatic scenery – specifically, bleak and windswept shots of the Norfolk coast that make it seem even more isolated and barren than the coldest parts of Mongolia.

Eventually, those who have done wrong almost always admit it, even if the evidence isn’t strong. Though the show sometimes deals with mature topics, it generally has a warm and comforting feel that would be better suited for a Sunday evening before the 9 PM watershed, similar to Call the Midwife.

Honestly, I’m still a little puzzled about why Lynley is back on our screens at all, but I’m glad it is! What really works is its simplicity – it tells a clear, uncomplicated story. And it’s got a lovely, classic feel that I think will appeal to both viewers discovering it for the first time and those of us who remember the original fondly. It’s a charming throwback that feels surprisingly current.

Lynley will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 5th January at 8:30pm.

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Authors

Jon O’Brien
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2026-01-05 10:26