The Bletchley Circle, Series 2
by Guy Burt (ITV, 2014)
Like its predecessor, The Bletchley Circle series two showcases an all-female lead cast that brings strength and credibility to British post-war period drama. The mysteries — a brace of two-parters — afford the characters initiative and independence while staying within the realms of believability.
Ripper Street, Series 2
by Richard Warlow (BBC, 2013)
The BBC has long held a reputation for outstanding period drama, and Ripper Street only enhances this, situating its likeable, flawed characters deep within the Whitechapel of 1890: an exquisite study in grime, crime and iniquity, with bursts of hope and colour.
The Bletchley Circle, Series 1
by Guy Burt (ITV, 2012)
Seven years after WWII, four women who worked in codebreaking at Bletchley Park reunite to investigate a spree of unsolved murders. This miniseries, driven by its all-female lead cast, adds to the illustrious list of cleverly scripted, beautifully realised British period dramas.
Foyle’s War, Series 8
by Anthony Horowitz (ITV, 2015)
A concluding trio of diligently researched, well-realised feature-length mysteries set within and inextricably bound to English society (originally during, now) post- World War II. Michael Kitchen remains facially expressive as Foyle, working for MI5 amidst the early machinations of the Cold War.
Ripper Street, Series 1
Richard Warlow (BBC, 2012-2013)
With its focus on character development over contrived plot arcs, grittily realised period crime drama Ripper Street exemplifies the advantage that small-run British series enjoy over their distended American counterparts. Matthew Macfadyen, Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg are compelling in policing Whitechapel.