North Shore (2023– ) User Reviews

Imperfect, but very watchable

[EPMD57 · 8/10 · 16 June 2023]

As long as you don't expect something amazing then you have a good shot at enjoying this show. There are enough characters to keep it from getting dull. The episodes don't feel too padded with filler. The subplots are fairly interesting, and the overarching main plot is pretty good.

The best aspect of the show, though, is the cast. While they weren't always given great dialogue to work with, I did like the range of characters they displayed. They somehow made most of the plot feel realistic. I didn't fully buy into the ending reveal, but it was good enough to avoid letting down the rest of the show.

All in all, I would rank this show ahead of most new miniseries I've seen lately. This isn't Mad Men, The Wire, or Breaking Bad, but it's worth a view.

I liked it. Love the two leads.

[sarabuchanan · 7/10 · 15 June 2023]

Do people write bad reviews just to be pretentious or do they just have really peculiar, particular taste? The ratings on this site have become almost useless. Shows and movies are always either 10s or 2s. So many times i will read terrible reviews, watch it and like it. And the films critics love, I despise. I know I don't have totally horrible taste or don't have any standards.... I thought this was a completely enjoyable mini series and I hope for a second season. And I loved the cast. It had a satisfying ending, and a good twist. The series kept me engaged and I would recommend people give it a watch.

A pleasant surprise

[thenorthcotes · 8/10 · 20 June 2023]

Ok so this isn't Line of Duty or the Wire but it it was much better than I was expecting due mainly to the two leads who carry it.

John Bradley seems to have mastered the smart cookie hidden behind the soft English 'buffoon' character.

Joanne Froggatt continues to show has the ability to lead. However, if I were being critical it does feel like she's being held back and not allowed to show her full range.

The one irritating aspect was her inability to maintain her 'posh' English accent. It slips every now and then revealing her northern roots.

Don't go into this expecting a breathtaking drama. Take it for what it is. A simple who done it with a great twist at the end!

Slow-paced drama with murder investigation in background

[heath-jeffrey · 7/10 · 19 September 2023]

Likeable main actors and a few complex characters make this an easy to watch drama that otherwise is pretty mediocre.

Although the murder mystery is central to everything, it feels like just a backdrop for exploring three complicated marriages that are falling apart in slightly different ways. The three strongest actors play three of the four main characters in these marriages, and it's exactly them that make the show so watchable.

Other acting is either mediocre or pretty bad, but luckily most have relatives minor roles. Meanwhile, the setting, the mild Aussie accents, and a satisfying (if a bit obvious) ending add just enough more to make it worth a watch.

it's ok, nothing ground breaking

[keiranderson-83427 · 6/10 · 7 March 2024]

As an Australian I watched this thinking "gee the writers of this show really don't seem to like Australia or Australian's much".

Seems to fall into that modern trap of presenting every white make Australian as evil, useless or dumb which is a bit disappointing. There's certainly an over abundance of diversity in the rest of the cast compared to normal Australian coppers.

Anyway, it's not completely awful, not anything great. It's really just background filler tv that you can put on in the background whilst doing anything else.

Not sure if this is a new attempt to create some sort of cross cultural the tunnel /the bridge, etc, but it's not up at that level.

One of the best twists of all time

[lbowdls · 9/10 · 15 June 2023]

I'm sorry for those who gave this low scores and gave up on it before the last episode!

Because the final episode has the most surprising twist of any crime/ murder mystery series since the first season of Broadchurch! Not as emotionally dramatic but still shocking!

There is no way - and you're right it doesn't seem to point to the fact that there even will be a twist at the end - which makes it even more amazing. It seemed like just a normal procedural, that was however to me a great story and a great bunch of characters and their relationships evolving; with the backdrop of politics! And you assume that they and us the viewers know who the killer and accessories are around halfway through the series. And probably thinking what else is there - and boy is there something else! Then even after that denouncement, the very last scenes offer up surprises!

The surprise probably meaning there could be a sequel. Let's see. As long as there is another intriguing murder!

7 star quality show

[wmboos · 7/10 · 7 July 2023]

I liked it. It's not the best show out there, but it's also not the worst. It was obvious who the killer was about halfway through, but the twist they used to show it was probably the best 5 seconds of acting in the series. It's a police procedural that you can watch with your kids. No intense shoot-outs, no car chases through the city with multiple wrecks, no sex scenes etc. Watching this reminded me of watching the last Crocodile Dundee; It definitely won't win any awards, but you can do far worse. It's a very pleasant 4 hour evening binge. I'm looking forward to a second season if they make one because the ending of this one could go either way.

Written Very Well

[zorroaca · 9/10 · 18 May 2023]

Very seldom do you get to be the first to write a review. Let me start out by saying that after one episode I can say I love it. Already characters have been very well established. The production is top cabin and the acting is superb. The actors have a script that is full of nuances that it gives you renewed faith in writing. John Bradley plays his part so well and it makes you realize that you don't have to be a cutesy boy to play the lead. The subtle wit stands out from the very beginning... but the wit does not cheapen the seriousness of the series. My only regret is that this is a new series and I can't binge.

Great Locations. Great Actors, Slow weak Script

[agro_sydney · 6/10 · 20 July 2023]

I was hoping this mini series would be a face spaced thriller set against the background of beautiful Sydney and Sydney Harbour. It was a slow routine mystery with great actors like the Queen of the British mini series Joanne Froggatt and the beautiful Claire Lovering. Unusual casting of John Bradley as the British cop but added a little bit of humour.

It was a beautiful tourist commercial for Sydney. I would like to see film makers who have a big budget , great cast and locations make a fast spaced serial killer style mystery in Sydney, The Rocks and the Northern Beaches. Gave it a 7 for the cast and beautiful photography.

Pile of cliches in handsome setting

[memeweaver · 5/10 · 23 May 2023]

North Shore feels like a airport novel, or perhaps the first draft for one where the plot intent of dialogue is written, but has never been fleshed out into anything sounding like real human speech. Moments that could have been lightened with humour are rushed through to get finish underlining whatever cliche the scene was putting up in neon lights.

Every plot point, every response is wooden or telegraphed; antagonisms between UK and Aussie police are set up so flatly and unreasonably that they seem unprofessional and childish.

The English leads deserve better but at least they got a paid working holiday down under.

Great cast, and well-written!

[TheWatcher17 · 10/10 · 23 May 2023]

Really enjoying this show so far. John Bradley is such a great and down-to-earth actor, who knows to play this smart and devoted, yet slightly witty, detective really well. Joanne Froggatt is brilliant too, and it's wonderful seeing her play a more lead role. Kirsty Sturgess' character first starts off annoying, but quickly becomes super likeable and well-written as well. The writing and production on the show is excellent. It doesn't sound cliché or cheesy like a lot of modern murder mysteries do lately, and it's just the right amount of thriller and mystery to keep you wondering, with little hints of comedy to spark your mood. Really looking forward to seeing where the show goes, and I hope the killer isn't someone obvious lol.

Goodish but painful

[Peekupz · 5/10 · 11 June 2023]

Ok I'm five episodes in so probably shouldn't be calling it.

There's a bit to like.

The actual whodunnit is mildly intriguing.

The pommy detective is head and shoulders above the rest of the cast.

The Aussie lead detective is just dreadful. Probably not completely the actors fault though. She starts out as every cliche ridden caricature you could imagine and pretty much stays there.

What really annoys me though is the lack of reality in the day to day situations. We are supposed to believe that the leader of the opposition in the middle of an election campaign has 3 hours to spend at the beck and call of some strumpet every night in one city. Then there's meant to be a big trade agreement. FFS have the writers not heard of caretaker mode?

Odd

[diamondlace-02721 · 6/10 · 10 September 2023]

Bit odd.

I'm not sure what to make of this series given the fact you've spoken about things that seem so unnatural to the story. Why do I need to know that hormones are allowed in Australian meat, but not in British meat? What is your point?

Why do you keep bringing up, repeatedly, about the farming/meat standards being inferior in Australia compared to other countries? It seems very unnaturally placed in the script like you're trying to make a point?

Loved watching this for Max's character and the actor who plays him. As for his "boss" and her angst and unfriendliness, it seems a bit-well, cringe.

Two thumbs up

[I-like-cake · 10/10 · 28 October 2023]

OK, so this wasn't a 10, but it's to compensate for all the bozos that gave it a rating of less than 5. I can see where someone who is really jaded and/or burned out on police procedurals might give it a 5, but in no way does it deserve less than that. The acting was fine, the script was acceptable, the scenery great at times. A little humor, a little drama... it is good escapist fun. I would probably give it a real rating of 7 for that reason, but like I said, there are people out there who would rate Downton Abbey as a 3 because they thought it was boring. I was entertained, so two thumbs up ^^.

The Australian actors are painful & the writing is awful

[Stephanie4040 · 5/10 · 23 August 2023]

The Australian actors make the actors on Home & Away and Neighbours seem like the best actors on the planet - that's how bad it is. The British actors are good, but you can feel the cringe they are going through by working with these E grade actors. The script writing is terrible - soap level at best. I felt terrible for John Bradley and Joanne Froggatt having to try and make the best of the awful script and the cheesy acting by the Australians. Could have been great and ended up being mediocre at best. Loads of cliches. I think British actors need to seriously consider whether it's worth tarnishing their careers by acting in Australian dramas unless it's Underbelly or Wentworth quality writing and acting. I've given it 5 starts out of respect for the British actors who are undoubtedly embarrassed.

A Cliched Crime Drama that Misses the Mark

[CrimetimeCritic · 3/10 · 11 June 2023]

"North Shore" attempts to deliver a gripping murder mystery set against Sydney's iconic North Shore but falls short in almost every aspect. The over-polished production lacks believability and is plagued by cliches that undermine its potential.

The writing is burdened with tired cliches, including the predictable Australian detective versus British detective dynamic and stereotypical character portrayals. The dialogue feels forced and fails to create genuine emotional connections, particularly in the interactions between the grieving parents.

In summary, a disappointingly cliched crime drama that lacks originality and realism. Its contrived plot-lines and wooden dialogue make it an underwhelming addition to the genre.

Horrendous series

[michael-manolis · 1/10 · 23 June 2023]

I had high hopes for this series but Channel 10 has done it again - what a disaster! The script was just horrible and the flow from scene to scene just didn't work. The dialogue was laughable and the acting was a joke. I tried to find some positives but apart from some of the scenery the series just didn't have anything appealing.

There were some ok actors but they obviously weren't trying and I hope that they were paid well as this series didn't do anything for their careers.

It was supposed to be a crime thriller but there were no 'thrills' at all.

I actually managed to watch the whole series & it got worse & worse & the so called twist in the final episode was no surprise at all with everyone I know picking it in the first episode.

I found this series a complete waste of time!

Those who say it's well written.... are on crack.

[SylvieQR · 2/10 · 30 May 2023]

Where to begin with this one.... an over-polished and over-done production that is extremely unbelievable on every level. Sometimes the background of Sydney harbour is so fake it hurts (if you can't afford to hire an office to shoot a scene with harbour views, then don't bother).

Then there's the terrible writing.... SO many cliches; Australian detective vs British detective (the poor inexperienced Australian detective looks like a wounded teenager in every second scene and refuses to have a wine with British cop cause he isn't 'part of the team'), smart Asian cop/technician doing the computer intel work, the mother of the deceased girl constantly one upping her PR agent at every turn because she's so ruthless (as if you wouldn't have fired him by now if he is that hopeless and you are so intelligent) and awful 'foreign' accents.... I could go on and on.

The dialogue is unnatural and way too controlled, particularly in regards to the parents of the deceased girl. They have a mild disagreement involving their MURDERED daughter and then put that aside calmly and decide go out to dinner to enjoy a 'nice evening'. WHAT.

And why do they show a pub in the Sydney that supposedly does not sell pints because that's 'hipster'?! Has none of the writers of the show visited Sydney before???

But what hurts my soul the most is that the talent in this show is so good and yet the series itself is so unbelievably bad. Now that takes skill.

Mediocre

[ttzbzqs · 5/10 · 16 June 2023]

British cop whodunnits are usually superb but when it's an Aussie whodunnit with visiting Brits, the British are still far superior with their acting.

Aussie script writers really need to look at other cop dramas like Line of Duty, Shetland, Broadchurch (to name but three examples) and start working on writing more riveting stories. This North Shore series was only mildly holding my attention, plus I guessed who did it at episode three.

It's a slow burn but it's no Unforgotten. (Another superbly done British whodunnit.)

One good point was George Pullar would make a terrific Jimmy Stewart if there was ever a movie done on his life.

Dreadful, predictable cookie-cutter police drama

[Pizzaowner · 3/10 · 20 June 2023]

WOW! I admit it, I had aimed low given the reality that this is an Australian police drama. I wasn't expecting too much but even my MODEST expectations were shockingly far too high.

This was nothing more than AVERAGE writing with a cookie-cutter plot that was trasnsparent.

The actors, with the single exception of the impported coroner, were absolutely DREADFUL and the lead female actress, whose name I will not mention, had, apparently just read through her part that morning.

READ, was what she did and there was little passion or empathy for her character.

She was not alone however and several of the other leads were nearly as bad as she was.

All in all, it was a complete waste of time and the poorest Scandanavian or European police drama would have easily outshone this pathetic excuse for entertainment.

Please do not waste your time watching this.

It doesn't qualify even as a time-waster in my opinion and ONLY if there are no more dishes to wash should you consider watching this thing.