The Suspect Season 1 Review: Aidan Turner anchors a police procedural that's engaging yet lacking in depth

Time of India

24-07-2025

Story: Based on Michael Robotham's novel of the same name, the thriller follows a clinical psychologist, Dr Joe O'Loughlin (Aidan Turner), who turns from being an advisor on a murder case to the prime suspect. As evidence against him mounts, his reputation, career, and family are at risk. Will Joe uncover the truth and clear his name?
Review: The gloomy, intense, and mysterious world of British crime thrillers has captivated viewers in recent times. The Suspect adds to the genre with a tightly packed five-episode run that keeps you engaged from the start. The show opens with a gripping sequence where Dr. Joe O'Loughlin, a respected psychologist recently diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's, is called in to prevent a terminally ill teenager from jumping off a building. The tension escalates when O'Loughlin's condition causes a slip, and both he and the teenager are left precariously dangling. As he emerges as the 'rooftop hero,' the stage is set for a thrilling ride.
The narrative quickly shifts to the grisly murder of an unidentified young woman, and O'Loughlin is brought in as a consultant for criminal profiling. However, things take a sharp turn when it's revealed that he shares a deeper connection with the victim, far more than just a passing acquaintance. What follows is the unravelling of strange coincidences and growing suspicion, as evidence begins to mount against him. His perfect family life, friendships, and professional reputation all begin to crumble.
While the series direced by James Strong and Camilla Strøm Henriksen is engaging, the spotlight remains more on O'Loughlin's struggle than on the actual police investigation. The procedural aspect feels less refined compared to other shows of its kind. Detectives DI Vince Ruiz (Shaun Parkes) and DS Riya Devi (Anjli Mohindra) are largely left grappling with circumstantial evidence, and the cat-and-mouse chase often feels unconvincing. O'Loughlin repeatedly evades capture with surprising ease, and the investigative lapses, like DS Devi trusting him blindly with profiling duties as soon as she meets him, seem far-fetched.
Written by Peter Berry, The Suspect delivers enough to hold your attention. Themes of psychology (childhood trauma, phobias, and self-harm) run throughout, and though the inclusion of Parkinson's adds complexity, the show never gets too heavy.
Aidan Turner stands out as the conflicted lead portraying an accomplished psychologist and a dubious suspect who withholds information, sneaks into morgues, and is surrounded by bodies and secrets. Shaun Parkes and Anjli Mohindra deliver strong performances, though their detective acumen seems underdeveloped. Bobby Schofield shines as a troubled patient, and Adam James is well-cast as O'Loughlin's shifty friend.
The Suspect isn't a deeply layered thriller, but it offers a satisfying payoff, despite a finale that dips into tropes like ticking explosives. Overall, it makes for a decent one-time binge-watch.