Case Histories (BBC-1 2011, Jason Isaacs, Amanda Abbington)

Kate Atkinson is definitely not your usual run of the mill crime novelist and Case Histories, the series based on her novels promises to be a cut above your average crime drama fare. Jason Isaacs takes on the role of Private Detective Jackson Brodie, an ex soldier from Yorkshire now based in Edinburgh. Brodie has a real sense of empathy with the people he helps and he can’t help himself often getting too personally involved.

Interestingly although Brodie has featured in several Atkinson novels he is rarely the leading character, often on the periphary but always drawing you in. Naturally there are quite a few changes made to the dynamic of the series, first and foremost with Brodie firmly taking centre stage as a tec. The series is made up of three two part stories shown on consecutive Sunday and Monday evenings.

High calibre guest stars included the likes of Phil Davis, Natasha Little, Keith Allen and the fab Sylvia Sims. Sadly only one series was made.

production details
UK | BBC1 – BBC Scotland – Ruby Film & Television – Monastic Productions

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes | NUMBER OF EPISODES: 6 | AIRDATES: 5 – 20 June 2011 Sundays and Mondays @ 9.00pm

WRITERS: Ashley Pharoah, Peter Harness | NOVELS: Kate Atkinson | PRODUCER: Helen Gregory

cast
JASON ISAACS as Jackson Brodie
AMANDA ABBINGTON as Louise Munroe
MILLIE INNES as Marlee Brodie
NATASHA LITTLE as Julia Land
FENELLA WOOLGAR as Amelia Land
PHIL DAVIS as Theo Wyre

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 5 – 20 June 2011
1. STORY ONE (Not called anything but should probably be referred to as Case Histories (5-6 June 2011)
2. ONE GOOD TURN (12-13 June 2011)
3. WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS (19-20 June 2011)