The Fall, Series 1

A Tense Five-Part British Series Putting A Fresh Spin On A Familiar Serial Killer Storyline
When Gillian Anderson recently popped up in a recurring role in NBC's "Hannibal," it occurred to me that I hadn't seen her in a non-British production in quite some while! Although born in Chicago, she lived in London for many years as a child (ages 2-11) before coming back to the states. Her heart seems to still be in England where she has, once again, resided since shortly after the "X-Files" completed its run. That's okay by me, though, because she's done some incredible work that has continued to stretch her as an actress. Some of my favorites include her fascinating interpretation of Miss Havisham in 2011's "Great Expectations" and her Lady Dedlock in the brilliant 2005 "Bleak House." She does so much period work, it's nice to catch something a bit more contemporary in setting. So I had high expectations for Allan Cubitt's five part serial killer drama "The Fall." Anderson plays a no-nonsense detective from London's Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) brought to Belfast to...

A Dark, Fascinating, and Extraordinarily Tense Crime Thriller
Crime is quite popular when it comes to television. The crime procedural has been a television staple for many years; I mean, just look at any drama on CBS' primetime lineup. The serial killer subgenre of crime television has become particularly popular in recent years. Spurred by the success of shows like Dexter, many networks have attempted to create their own serial killer series with mixed results like FOX's The Following, A&E's Bates Motel, and NBC's Hannibal. Enter BBC Two with The Fall, a five-part serial killer drama with a slow, methodical, and deliberate pace that is absolutely terrifying.

British television has seen a surge of popularity in recent years with hits like Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, and Sherlock crossing the Atlantic to find popularity here in the States. Personally, I've now seen three British crime shows (Sherlock, Luther, and The Fall), and all three are quite good in their own way. Starring Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully of The X-Files...

Gillian Anderson shows her range here--excellent
we all best know Anderson from her role as agent scully in the x-files. here she plays the antithesis of scully. she is a senior inspector called into Ireland to solve a serial murder case. she is high handed, off putting, not interested in men except as one night stands--she could be a male senior policeman in short. although there is no shortage of serial killer stories on tv, this one is quite compelling. we follow the killer as minutely as we follow Anderson. this must be intended as a series as you are ready for follow up on the story in more episodes at its end.

if you are wondering about where her red hair went, Anderson dyed her hair red to play scully. she was a blonde before taking the role. at conclusion of the scully role, she went back to being a blonde.

this series is also currently available on netflix streaming.

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