This series is set in the fictitious town of Brokenwood, in New Zealand. Each episode features a separate case which will be investigated by Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd assisted by Detective Kristin Sims and DC Sam Breen. Since it is set in one fairly small town a few other local characters turn up regularly.
At first glance the cases do feel a bit 'Midsomer Murders' as they tend to involve a victim involved in a specific activity that might be connected to their death; for example a skydiver, a winemaker and a honey producer to give just three examples; however the way the stories are told avoids some of that series' silliness. The cast and characters are solid; most notably Neill Rea as the country music loving S Sgt Shepherd and Fern Sutherland as Kristen Sims. Cristina Ionda is also notable as Dr Gina Kadinsky; she tends to only play a small role in each episode but it always funny as she tells the others how things are different in her native Russia.
I came to this series rather late... the first episode of season five and was disappointed that there were only four episodes in each season; however I enjoyed it so much I went straight back to the first episode and quickly caught up with the first four seasons... now I'm hoping there will be a sixth. The stories were a lot of fun and it made a refreshing change to have a detective series where very little was made of the characters' private lives; we know Mike has been married a few times before and one case involves an ex of Kristen's but things never get 'soapy'. Overall a fun murder mystery series set in a country that is simultaneously familiar and different; at least for UK viewers.
At first glance the cases do feel a bit 'Midsomer Murders' as they tend to involve a victim involved in a specific activity that might be connected to their death; for example a skydiver, a winemaker and a honey producer to give just three examples; however the way the stories are told avoids some of that series' silliness. The cast and characters are solid; most notably Neill Rea as the country music loving S Sgt Shepherd and Fern Sutherland as Kristen Sims. Cristina Ionda is also notable as Dr Gina Kadinsky; she tends to only play a small role in each episode but it always funny as she tells the others how things are different in her native Russia.
I came to this series rather late... the first episode of season five and was disappointed that there were only four episodes in each season; however I enjoyed it so much I went straight back to the first episode and quickly caught up with the first four seasons... now I'm hoping there will be a sixth. The stories were a lot of fun and it made a refreshing change to have a detective series where very little was made of the characters' private lives; we know Mike has been married a few times before and one case involves an ex of Kristen's but things never get 'soapy'. Overall a fun murder mystery series set in a country that is simultaneously familiar and different; at least for UK viewers.