55 reviews
Quality show!
I really have enjoyed watching this series. I think Jason Isaacs is amazing. I will be reading the books now that I have binged all the episodes. I'm sad to see this one end.
Great new series
Another great new British detective mystery series. Isaacs is an excellent lead figure - though it took me awhile to realise that he was Lucius Malfoy.It's not the type of series that explains every detail in case you missed it but lures you into guessing what will happen next.
The story lines so far have been gripping and interestingly human - usually running two or three over the two hour programme. The characters have depth and the interweaving is clever. Maybe the childhood flashback is shown a little too often.
The scenery is stunning.
Hope it continues the way it started.
The story lines so far have been gripping and interestingly human - usually running two or three over the two hour programme. The characters have depth and the interweaving is clever. Maybe the childhood flashback is shown a little too often.
The scenery is stunning.
Hope it continues the way it started.
Closure comes in many forms
Jason Isaacs stars as detective Jackson Brodie in "Case Histories," which is a miniseries filmed in Edinburgh. Brodie works on several cases at once. This episode concerned a child who disappeared 30 years earlier, a young woman who was murdered years earlier, a woman engaged to be married attempting to find her niece, plus he's helping a paranoid old woman who never pays him. And her nephew is after him to stop. Divorced, Brodie often takes his daughter on cases when he has visitations, and she's quick to tell her mother, "Dad beat up a man," and things of that nature when she gets home.
The series is based on books by Kate Allison. The stories are dark and brooding amidst the glorious scenery of Edinburgh - absolutely spectacular cinematography. The stories intertwine and have more than a few twists. In short, "Case Histories" makes for very absorbing viewing.
Jackson Brodie is a likable character in the hands of Jason Isaacs - he's handsome, adventurous, and really tries to help his clients. He has sadness, too -- his brother was killed, and the case has never been solved. Everyone has secrets on "Case Histories." The acting is very good, but Millie Innes who plays Brodie's daughter is irresistible, a beautiful child as well as a good actress. What sets Brodie apart a bit from some other detectives is the human touch. He's a man of great humanity, and he brings this to his cases. Highly recommended.
The series is based on books by Kate Allison. The stories are dark and brooding amidst the glorious scenery of Edinburgh - absolutely spectacular cinematography. The stories intertwine and have more than a few twists. In short, "Case Histories" makes for very absorbing viewing.
Jackson Brodie is a likable character in the hands of Jason Isaacs - he's handsome, adventurous, and really tries to help his clients. He has sadness, too -- his brother was killed, and the case has never been solved. Everyone has secrets on "Case Histories." The acting is very good, but Millie Innes who plays Brodie's daughter is irresistible, a beautiful child as well as a good actress. What sets Brodie apart a bit from some other detectives is the human touch. He's a man of great humanity, and he brings this to his cases. Highly recommended.
We loved this, will there be more? Please? More?
This is a beyond good series. I had not read her books, but will now. The stories are edge of the seat as well as being sad and funny. The settings are beautiful or interesting and the characters are complex. I don't agree with any of the criticism,my husband and I were mesmerized. We turned on the closed captioning so as not to miss a word of dialogue. I am now motivated to see the Harry Potter movies, just for Jason Isaacs. I never fail to be amazed at the over the top talent of the British ,it is so refreshing to watch actors that are not Hollywood, and look like real people. This is as good as Luther. Seriously.
Why haven't I heard of this show before?
Yes, stories tie together with a number of coincidences, but they make it work. Fast moving, excellent characters and truly surprising twists and turns. I was HOOKED from the first episode...
- louiseransil
- May 19, 2019
- Permalink
Another superb Ashley Pharoah production
I have just finished watching Case Histories on DVD and I can't fault it. It's just superb television. I have read all the Kate Atkinson books and Jason Isaacs is perfect to play Jackson Brodie, and all the other actors and characterisations are offbeat without being too wacky - i.e. they have real depth to them. It's amazing that the series portrays so much violence and bleakness and yet you still love it and cheer on the good guys. And the good guys aren't perfect. I might have known that Ashley Pharoah was the screenwriter: Life on Mars which he co-created is one of my all time favourite TV series. Edinburgh and rural Scotland makes for a fantastic backdrop, and Atkinson's intricate plots are executed with superb clarity and yet not losing their great heart. Congratulations to everyone behind the series: bring on season 2!
- bbewnylorac
- Jan 7, 2012
- Permalink
Clever series about fate and coincidence based on the books of Kate Atkinson
Jason Brodie is a private investigator whose goal in life is to bring closure to lives on hold. His own sad past is the springboard from which he throws himself - sometimes reluctantly - into the problem of others.
Like many heroes of modern literature, Brodie is a flawed character whose personal failings never cease to amaze him: a failed marriage from which came a child he adores; an ambiguous friendship with a feisty female police inspector that could be going somewhere or nowhere;and a private detective business groaning under the weight of his inability to take on lucrative jobs rather than exercises in humanitarian kindness where the paycheck isn't always bankable and his carping secretary is only too willing to let him know.
It's ingenious the way Kate Atkinson's narrative sees apparently disconnected stories seamlessly interweave and overlap. Jason Isaacs is just right as the tough, selfless, good-hearted Brodie and each of the six episodes is filled with excellent acting and direction. 9/10
Like many heroes of modern literature, Brodie is a flawed character whose personal failings never cease to amaze him: a failed marriage from which came a child he adores; an ambiguous friendship with a feisty female police inspector that could be going somewhere or nowhere;and a private detective business groaning under the weight of his inability to take on lucrative jobs rather than exercises in humanitarian kindness where the paycheck isn't always bankable and his carping secretary is only too willing to let him know.
It's ingenious the way Kate Atkinson's narrative sees apparently disconnected stories seamlessly interweave and overlap. Jason Isaacs is just right as the tough, selfless, good-hearted Brodie and each of the six episodes is filled with excellent acting and direction. 9/10
A fabulous mini-series, makes totally riveting viewing
Jason Isaacs says he hates detective series, and yet he has proved in this BBC mini-series that he is one of the best detectives ever cast in a film. He has all the human qualities that so many of them lack, and his well-rounded portrayal is a triumph, in lifting detective stories onto a higher plane. It is impossible to praise Isaacs highly enough for his superb realisation of this sympathetic character who just happens, as a disgraced ex-policeman, to have taken up work as a detective. The setting is the beautiful city of Edinburgh, exploited visually to the full. Edinburgh is above all the British city with the most magnificent vistas of them all, surpassing even Bath in that respect. The mini-series is based on some novels by a prize-winning Edinburgh-based writer named Kate Atkinson. This explains the fantastically complex and interweaving plots of the films, which go far beyond the normal intricacies of even the most elaborate scripts. The rich tapestry which is thus woven is satisfying in a way that so much of television is not. This mini-series is thus an exemplar of what those of us concerned with quality should all hope for. Three different directors (Marc Jobst, Bill Anderson, and Dan Zeff) helm the three double-episodes, and are uniformly excellent. The series was 'devised for television by Ashley Pharoah', who although he seemingly can't spell 'pharaoh' properly, is a well-known figure in British and American television. The supporting performances in these tangled tales are all excellent. Two of the most charming are by the child actress Millie Innes, who is as winsome as they come and plays the daughter of Isaacs, and the teenager Gwyneth Keyworth, who plays a fascinating waif in the final story. Fenella Woolgar is, as usual, compulsively watchable in a harrowing character role, and Natasha Little as her glamorous sister manages to add extra twinkle and sparkle to a character who might have been flat in the script but got proper three dimensions in her portrayal. Amanda Abbington is excellent as the police woman with a love/hate relationship with Isaacs, and once again a part which might have been hackneyed comes alive as a rounded individual at her hands.
- robert-temple-1
- Aug 17, 2011
- Permalink
Reasonable new crime drama
Jackson Brodie character at the heart of this show
This series is one I highly recommend for those who like the style of a modern British mystery. The character of Jackson Brodie, played by Jason Isaacs, gives the series a tenacious detective scarred by a troubled past. Brodie's past comes out in a series of flashbacks that drive him to jump into ice cold water hoping to save a life or make that final push when finishing a run. Family deaths, divorce and his love for daughter Marlee keep him well-grounded and not lacking in compassion. Brodie is spurred by a strong desire to help people as well as bring wrongdoers to heel. He doesn't talk much but listens carefully. He is smart and is quick to make shrewd observations and deductions. His cases range from finding the truth behind a long-cold case to repeatedly hunting down the beloved cat of an elderly pet lover who never pays her bills. It's hard not to like him but his ex-wife, former boss and secretary are all too eager to point out his faults. His impulses result from a soft heart and an impatience to help, putting him in hard luck situations. Daughter Marlee is his real love and spending time with her is his main satisfaction in life. He and Marlee practise French together or drive off to a convent where he investigates one of the nuns. Amanda Abbington plays his former boss with a soft spot for him and one can sense the two might become a couple. I guess we can only imagine. The series ran for nine episodes and one can see that the Brodie character might have worn thin if the story continued and never came to grips with the issues that defined his life. No matter. The series is still great viewing for the nine episodes that are on tap.
Interesting..
Easy viewing about a scot\ex cop\pi. Isaacs is compelling enough to convince as the basically good guy whose life however is far from good personally or professionally.
Cases seem to fall into his lap and he works more than one at a time. This would work well in a book but feels rather contrived on screen. No Hollywood endings but isn't more credible for it. Strange to say considering that we routinely suspend logic and reason as viewers but the stories interweave with a neatness that doesn't sit well.
Stories and pacing like this work better with narration. But no personal observations here, since apart from some remarks about his daughter's outfit etc he isn't exactly chatty.
Stunning landscapes and competent cast. Relaxed pace, few twists and some good music.
Dark and brooding without being haunting or particularly memorable.
Will look good compared to some other small screen offerings but wont stand up well on it's own.
Wish them well.
Thank you.
Cases seem to fall into his lap and he works more than one at a time. This would work well in a book but feels rather contrived on screen. No Hollywood endings but isn't more credible for it. Strange to say considering that we routinely suspend logic and reason as viewers but the stories interweave with a neatness that doesn't sit well.
Stories and pacing like this work better with narration. But no personal observations here, since apart from some remarks about his daughter's outfit etc he isn't exactly chatty.
Stunning landscapes and competent cast. Relaxed pace, few twists and some good music.
Dark and brooding without being haunting or particularly memorable.
Will look good compared to some other small screen offerings but wont stand up well on it's own.
Wish them well.
Thank you.
LOVE this series!
Really a great detective series. Too bad only two seasons. Jason Isaacs is brilliant in the part, so if there is any chance of bringing back Jackson Brodie and all the main cast, I sure hope it happens.
Jason Issacs made to carry all the heavy lifting...and he manages well *Music Spoiler Alert*
Interesting but strange way to tell a story
The header descriptions for this series included "cerebral" and "strange". The latter is a better descriptor. The story and narrative unfolds in a way that lacks much in the way of context and background with which to start. One wonders who the characters are, and what their relationships to one another might be. The narrative slowly unfolds through constantly repeating flashbacks, which at times become really annoying and distracting. Characters come and go, some disappear forever. The second season is not as good as the first. It seemed to be done a bit halfheartedly. It follows the same fragmented method of storytelling, but does have a bit more continuity. The negatives about the series is the absolutely appalling and absurd way it ended and the really ridiculous music track.
A Scottish Gem
Simply can't fault this excellent crime drama. As is often the case it's strength lies with a very strong cast of fine Scottish actors who give it their all. Along with good script and credible stories this really is a gem of a series. Sadly nothing is produced of this calibre by the BBC any longer.
Fabulous
In a word:fabulous. Compelling, not to miss a word of dialog. The story line evolves from a loosely woven beginning to a tight ending. Enticed one wonders where it will go in the end. The acting brings you into the heart and soul of the characters, who have lives and emotions that inter connect and create a richness not found in the usual mystery genre. If you are pining for a who done it go to Sherlock or Perot. Jackson Brodie is superbly acted, a romantic,wounded hero who knows life has its price and he is not afraid of it. He rescues and restores justice for his clients,he is an admirable, and often suffering hero. Suffering humanizes him and we all can identify with his pain. The theme of father figure and the need to protect are strong motivations for the character. Sophisticated and refreshing for this genre. I want more. This is the new school, old school mystery is predictable and tiresome. We want sexy guys, with real life stories, love and lust thrown in the mix, the Victorian thing is over.
- bshantinorth
- Oct 29, 2011
- Permalink
Will there be more?
I recently discovered this series and I love it. I also love watching Jason Isaacs playing a good guy. I really hope there will be more of this.
- fannyvanelewijck
- Mar 10, 2018
- Permalink
Good mix of drama, crime story & character study, all with an awesome soundtrack
Jackson Brodie is a very good detective and a not so great boss or father. Loves his daughter, obviously, but put so much into his work his marriage fell apart. Says yes to cases he should say no to. And is haunted by a childhood memory. I fell in love with this show when it was on Masterpiece, and have yet to find anyone who has seen it. Wonderfully atmospheric, stories you really don't know where they are going to go, and always with a song or two playing in the background or over the credits that's perfect for the moment, making you want to settle down in the dark with a whiskey and try to sort things out...
- jcravens42
- Mar 12, 2021
- Permalink
I hated the ending!
- maryraymond123
- Jun 17, 2021
- Permalink
dated plots or characterizations. Dime store Sam Spade
Watched it all the way through. First season better then second and knocked a point off after seeing the second season. For the love of god make sure the captioning works. Just because you have computer attempt it does not mean the job is done.
This series will appeal to the fantasies of men (and women) who want the dream of a detective with
I call this the dime store Sam Spade.
As Spades's Hammet said about the physicality of the Sam Spade character:
"Spade has no original. He is a dream man in the sense that he is what most of the private detectives I worked with would like to have been and in their cockier moments thought they approached. For your private detective does not-or did not ten years ago when he was my colleague-want to be an erudite solver of riddles in the Sherlock Holmes manner; he wants to be a hard and shifty fellow, able to take care of himself in any situation, able to get the best of anybody he comes in contact with, whether criminal, innocent by-stander or client."
The modern ones (Bosch, this series, et) also add -solves the cases where others fail..all others pale in comparison.. -family martyrs: rather than fight for half custody and commit to being a full parent, they know their priority is their job not their children, so they "give" the other parents almost all custody rights but play the victim as if the other parent has forced this on them. As it is they are late with their children or in this case bring their child to crime scenes etc.
People like who they like when it comes to detectives. Some don't like women detectives and denigrate them as "Nancy Drew". Otherss like the fantasy of the Sam Spade type like this one. It's personal.
What I think was the main weakness of this show was the somehow dated nature of it. I am not sure if it is the plots, the other characters or a mix of both but I got a whiff of the outlandish or perhaps "already done" here...e.g as an example the family with the four sisters all eccentrics. Hasn't that been done many many times? The side characters all seemed larger than life (the failed stand up comic, the timid author). It just felt like an older style. Still okay as escapism of course.
At first I was weirded out as others mentioned Malfoy from Harry Potter. Then of course I realized it was the father.
7 - glad I watched but wouldn't save a copy in my video library.
Now a six - second season a muddle of untidy stories and untidy and inconsistent personal life interactions.
This series will appeal to the fantasies of men (and women) who want the dream of a detective with
- lots of access to women/sex
I call this the dime store Sam Spade.
As Spades's Hammet said about the physicality of the Sam Spade character:
"Spade has no original. He is a dream man in the sense that he is what most of the private detectives I worked with would like to have been and in their cockier moments thought they approached. For your private detective does not-or did not ten years ago when he was my colleague-want to be an erudite solver of riddles in the Sherlock Holmes manner; he wants to be a hard and shifty fellow, able to take care of himself in any situation, able to get the best of anybody he comes in contact with, whether criminal, innocent by-stander or client."
The modern ones (Bosch, this series, et) also add -solves the cases where others fail..all others pale in comparison.. -family martyrs: rather than fight for half custody and commit to being a full parent, they know their priority is their job not their children, so they "give" the other parents almost all custody rights but play the victim as if the other parent has forced this on them. As it is they are late with their children or in this case bring their child to crime scenes etc.
People like who they like when it comes to detectives. Some don't like women detectives and denigrate them as "Nancy Drew". Otherss like the fantasy of the Sam Spade type like this one. It's personal.
What I think was the main weakness of this show was the somehow dated nature of it. I am not sure if it is the plots, the other characters or a mix of both but I got a whiff of the outlandish or perhaps "already done" here...e.g as an example the family with the four sisters all eccentrics. Hasn't that been done many many times? The side characters all seemed larger than life (the failed stand up comic, the timid author). It just felt like an older style. Still okay as escapism of course.
At first I was weirded out as others mentioned Malfoy from Harry Potter. Then of course I realized it was the father.
7 - glad I watched but wouldn't save a copy in my video library.
Now a six - second season a muddle of untidy stories and untidy and inconsistent personal life interactions.
Why was this cancelled??
I just discovered 'Case Histories' on Amazon Prime in 2023 and after watching the 2 seasons I am beyond disappointed that this show was cancelled by BBC back in 2013. This show is so good!
A clear step above the typical British murder mystery show with a great lead in Jason Isaacs and.supporting actress in Amanda Abington as DC Monroe. The plots are well done, kept me guessing with twists along the way and resolved well
Also I typically don't like when they bring kids into the show because they are just tropes of bratty teens or young kids that act as an anchor on the detective getting his/her investigating done, but in this case Millie Innes plays an engaging character in Jackson's daughter Millee. When they sent her off to New Zealand with her mom I thought they were just writing her out of the show, but we still get to see her occasionally in communication and I'm glad we do - she is a fun person that lightens things up from Jackson's usual brooding.
I will never understand how this didn't make it more than 2 seasons! Probably way too late to bring it back now, 10 years later, but maybe a TV movie or Christmas special? Free Jackson Brodie!
A clear step above the typical British murder mystery show with a great lead in Jason Isaacs and.supporting actress in Amanda Abington as DC Monroe. The plots are well done, kept me guessing with twists along the way and resolved well
Also I typically don't like when they bring kids into the show because they are just tropes of bratty teens or young kids that act as an anchor on the detective getting his/her investigating done, but in this case Millie Innes plays an engaging character in Jackson's daughter Millee. When they sent her off to New Zealand with her mom I thought they were just writing her out of the show, but we still get to see her occasionally in communication and I'm glad we do - she is a fun person that lightens things up from Jackson's usual brooding.
I will never understand how this didn't make it more than 2 seasons! Probably way too late to bring it back now, 10 years later, but maybe a TV movie or Christmas special? Free Jackson Brodie!
- Hughmanity
- Sep 17, 2023
- Permalink
Hmmmm....
- smartinezmd
- Apr 21, 2019
- Permalink
A very watchable series, great acting from Jason Isaacs.
Jackson Brodie having been a Policeman and in The Army now works as a Private Detective, one that isn't adverse to getting into all manner of scrapes.
What a great series this is, it was wonderful, if a little bit surprising to see Jason Isaacs appear in a BBC series, and naturally he's brilliant. Brodie is a complex character, he makes mistakes, and certainly comes from the hard school of knocks.
Gritty, well paced and always engaging, they're often dark stories, but every episode offers some lighter, fun moments, his young daughter certainly adds some lighter
I actually preferred the second series to the first, maybe it was the format change, or maybe it was simply the change in stories.
The concluding episode from series one, and the opening episode of series two are the high points, but every single episode genuinely has something to offer.
Isaacs as I've said is tremendous, he's in great company, Amanda Abbington is superb throughout, Zawe Ashton and Natasha Little are both equally great.
A shame there were only two series, but you can appreciate that Isaacs is a busy man.
Well worth watching, 8/10.
What a great series this is, it was wonderful, if a little bit surprising to see Jason Isaacs appear in a BBC series, and naturally he's brilliant. Brodie is a complex character, he makes mistakes, and certainly comes from the hard school of knocks.
Gritty, well paced and always engaging, they're often dark stories, but every episode offers some lighter, fun moments, his young daughter certainly adds some lighter
I actually preferred the second series to the first, maybe it was the format change, or maybe it was simply the change in stories.
The concluding episode from series one, and the opening episode of series two are the high points, but every single episode genuinely has something to offer.
Isaacs as I've said is tremendous, he's in great company, Amanda Abbington is superb throughout, Zawe Ashton and Natasha Little are both equally great.
A shame there were only two series, but you can appreciate that Isaacs is a busy man.
Well worth watching, 8/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Mar 16, 2023
- Permalink
Like the sun going down
I enjoyed the opening episodes however it really is like slowly drowning in misery. No thanks. It just doesn't have the charm or quirkiness or any original or even interesting character traits that slowly grow on you...you get to understand the character better, such as Vera. This character actually goes backwards. I found myself getting more and more exasperated with his descent. I was really disappointed and can't be bothered to finish it. That loud folk music that comes from nowhere isn't helping either. It's weird because I've just finished watching a few episodes about a week ago and all that sticks in my mind is the first 3 because after those, it was forgettable.And although I appreciate the camera's sweeping Scottish landscape views, I wonder is there ever a sunny day there? His castmates were ill cast (except for the first episode with the sisters. There should have been more involvement between him and her. Ifound his secretary annoying.
All in all a disappointment, a slow wade into misery with little to redeem it.
All in all a disappointment, a slow wade into misery with little to redeem it.
- jacileblanc
- Feb 21, 2015
- Permalink
Case Histories and Jackson Brodie