Acorn’s original Dead Still is a steady, even, suspenseful mystery with enough thriller thrown in for good measure for fans of UK mystery shows to enjoy and perhaps, love. Also, if you are a fan of macabre photography the series also scratches that itch as well.
In, Dead Still Dublin memorial photographer Brock Blennerhasset (award-winning actor Michael Smiley, Luther, Benny “Deadhead” Silver) makes a living out of taking portraits of the dead, with the help of his eager new assistant, Conall Molloy (Kerr Logan, Game of Thrones, Alias Grace), and sharp-witted niece, Nancy (Eileen O’Higgins, Mary Queen of Scots.) But when a series of murders threatens to sully Blennerhasset’s reputation, a tenacious detective (Aidan O’Hare, Jackie) drags him into an investigation of Dublin’s criminal underbelly. With a killer on the loose and a black-market trade of illicit pictures growing ever more dangerous, will Brock save his job or end up like one of his subjects?
Dead Still is a bit different than Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and Agatha Raisin. The show does share the same offbeat comedic tones. However, the series is a little more Luther and Sherlock than those previously mentioned shows – even though it takes place during the historical period of “post-mortem photography” in 1880s Europe.
The central character, Blennerhasset, is not quirky in the same way as Agatha or Phryne. He is generally flawed and downright cranky. Each episode of the series builds upon each other in just the way you need to stay engaged and you as the viewer will remain interested in figuring out who is the villain and what’s their motivation. The characters are engaging and all the actors do a good job of fleshing out each of their characters back stories and their current role in the situation at hand. The photos from each episode are also just as intriguing as the plots which always lead to a new death. Honestly, I still grapple with why anyone really wanted these photos in the first place. Was it a status symbol? Or, a strange symptom of grief? Did they just whip these photos out when company came over? 🤔
I will also admit, the series it not all rainbows and unicorns or what we makes you happy. The pacing takes getting used to, its a trait the series does share with Agatha. The final episode of the series/season annoyed me, I have to say. The way the supporting characters turn on the lead character honestly doesn’t really make sense, at least that’s my take. However, the final episode does an excellent job setting up series/season two, they answer questions while asking more.
Dead Still premieres exclusively in the U.S. and Canada on Acorn TV (AMC Networks-owned streamer for British and international television) on Monday, May 18 with two episodes, followed by weekly episodes through June 15.