This started with a decent premise -- a mom/school teacher leading a pleasant, suburban life but hiding a dark and violent past. As the plot unfolded in the midst of cocktail parties and after-school activities, it reminded me a bit of a Harlan Coben mini-series. But after a few episodes, the level of gun play and martial arts fighting rose to video game levels. Some characters are impossible to kill, no matter how many bullets hit them; too many others are simply expendable. The first few episodes drew me in enough to make me finish watching this series, but overall it was ridiculous and watching it probably made me dumber. The beautiful scenery and charismatic cast didn't save it.
223 Reviews
Ludicrous and thoroughly enjoyable!
soelir25 August 2023
I had a suspicion this might be dreadful and after the first episode I hadn't been persuaded otherwise. I stuck with it and started to really enjoy it.
Episode four is where it really starts to get going and from there you're already invested.
Now, I'm not normally a huge fan of the running and shooting and jumping off stuff and fighting action films/series, but I do appreciate the effort that goes into them. I've seen Die Hard a couple of times, it was fun.
For me, this series was kind of like that. You need to sit back and enjoy the nonsense.
Clearly, any normal person getting kicked about several times a day would need a bit of recovery time. Did Bruce Willis ever need recovery time? I don't think so! So why would super badass mom, Erin Carter?!
My advice? Chill out, laugh at the ridiculousness, groan at the terrible dialogue, suspend your disbelief pretty much all the way through, and just enjoy it!
Oh, and can I say thank you to whoever decided to have the protagonist run around in sensible shoes and not four inch stilettos all the time? I mean, you want realism? There it is.
Anyway, I hope there's a second series. That's how much I enjoyed it!
Episode four is where it really starts to get going and from there you're already invested.
Now, I'm not normally a huge fan of the running and shooting and jumping off stuff and fighting action films/series, but I do appreciate the effort that goes into them. I've seen Die Hard a couple of times, it was fun.
For me, this series was kind of like that. You need to sit back and enjoy the nonsense.
Clearly, any normal person getting kicked about several times a day would need a bit of recovery time. Did Bruce Willis ever need recovery time? I don't think so! So why would super badass mom, Erin Carter?!
My advice? Chill out, laugh at the ridiculousness, groan at the terrible dialogue, suspend your disbelief pretty much all the way through, and just enjoy it!
Oh, and can I say thank you to whoever decided to have the protagonist run around in sensible shoes and not four inch stilettos all the time? I mean, you want realism? There it is.
Anyway, I hope there's a second series. That's how much I enjoyed it!
Perfect for a fun binge-watch
MyContribution4 September 2023
My husband and I really enjoyed this mini-series, which we watched over two nights. It has an interesting plot and developed characters. The backstory is delivered bit by bit, keeping the viewer involved. I appreciated the main character as being multi-faceted. Well acted, Erin Carter is a character who behaves as real people do: sometimes clever, sometimes foolish. She struggles and she grows. In fact all the characters are like people you might actually know. Some good and some bad qualities. Of course being entertainment, the plot is often unrealistic. But, hey, it is tv. If you want realism, turn off the tv and read the newspaper. If you want an entertaining show, this is a good one.
Addictive bingeworthy.
deloudelouvain4 September 2023
The good thing about this mini-series is that there is a lot of action, good fighting scenes, a little suspense and mystery and overall good acting. The bad thing was the sometimes poorly written plot. By that I mean there were some "yeah right, what are the odds they know each other, or it's a very small world" moments. But even with those weak moments the show remained very entertaining. The fighting scenes were pretty brutal and well choreographed. Maybe not everybody's cup of tea but certainly mine. There are only seven episodes so it's one of those binge watching shows that you can easily finish in a couple days.
It is not as bad as I had read in the comments.
sergiosanz27 August 2023
It is not as bad as I had read in the comments.
Obviously it's not the best series in the history of television, but I don't think it tries to be.
It's true that it has elements that are not very credible, but it's entertaining, and who expects a fictional series to be credible?
It is clarifying little by little the questions that it raises at the beginning and many scripts do that, so I don't think that is a defect, but a very common dramatic resource to maintain the interest.
I've watched it all the way through without any effort, while others with more fame I haven't made it past the second chapter, or the second season.
It's not one of those that makes you sad to see it end, but I think it fulfills its role of entertaining.
And that's why I rate it with a 6/10, because without being good it's not boring.
Obviously it's not the best series in the history of television, but I don't think it tries to be.
It's true that it has elements that are not very credible, but it's entertaining, and who expects a fictional series to be credible?
It is clarifying little by little the questions that it raises at the beginning and many scripts do that, so I don't think that is a defect, but a very common dramatic resource to maintain the interest.
I've watched it all the way through without any effort, while others with more fame I haven't made it past the second chapter, or the second season.
It's not one of those that makes you sad to see it end, but I think it fulfills its role of entertaining.
And that's why I rate it with a 6/10, because without being good it's not boring.
Ha
Headturner1126 August 2023
I saw a few bad reviews that were horribly low! I love Douglas Henshell so I decided to watch! Not bad more like an Acorn or Brittbox series. For Netflix wasn't bad. The storyline was decent compared to most the J@njk put out by Netflix over the last 2 years! This is BBC network etc. Sure it was highly implausible but better than 90% of the stuff o Netflix lately and I'm so sick of having to write 600 character reviews when I've contributed so many over the years! With all the junk out there that seems like it's written by 8th graders this is not terrible and definitely watchable and if it was BBC it would have gotten better reviews!
Very Difficult to Review
wmboos25 August 2023
As I stated in the description, this show is very difficult to review. I gave it six stars because it's worth more than 5. This is one of those shows that some will like and others won't. Hollywood has already gotten me accustomed to tiny little women beating up everybody after getting slammed around and then knocking them out. Unrealistic, yes, but par for the course for the last 20 years or so. For me though, the story started out a little too slow for my taste. It wasn't until halfway through the fourth episode that it finally got interesting, which is why I rated it so low. It's a loooooong slow buildup to the finale, which is rather anti climactic. Not as bad as the Game of Thrones finale, but pretty danged close. I'll watch a second season if they film one, just to see where they take it.
Actually lives up to the trailers
bored_bingewatcher25 August 2023
That's not something I can say often. This show is constant tension, action and plot. The series feels a lot longer than it is without ever feeling boring. One episode feels like half a season. On top of that, the series is also decently funny and has some lowkey clever moments. Evin Ahmad absolutely shines as a Brit and an action character and her kid not looking like her at all makes sense this time (unlike Snabba Cash).
The largest problem I see is the handling of the backstory. Too much becomes hinted at too obviously too quickly, making the mystery around Erin's past less intriguing and preventing the series from having the emotional edge it's going for.
But I don't care, this is one of Netflix's most entertaining, substantial and well-paced productions I've seen.
The largest problem I see is the handling of the backstory. Too much becomes hinted at too obviously too quickly, making the mystery around Erin's past less intriguing and preventing the series from having the emotional edge it's going for.
But I don't care, this is one of Netflix's most entertaining, substantial and well-paced productions I've seen.
Who is Erin Carter?
kenbo-873601 September 2023
She's a badass, that's who she is!
I ignored this for a few days because I thought this was another dubbed Netflix series which seems to be flooding the place lately.
I'm glad I gave it a go though, it was good. Erin Carter gets caught up in a Spanish supermarket robbery. After a tussle with one of the perpetrators he recognises her as 'Kate'.
As the title suggests we then see who Erin Carter really is.
There's nothing groundbreaking here, we've seen other series with similar plots but this ran smoothly, was never really boring and kept the audience guessing.
It's seven episodes with a running time of around fifty minutes per episode.
A solid seven out of ten from me.
I ignored this for a few days because I thought this was another dubbed Netflix series which seems to be flooding the place lately.
I'm glad I gave it a go though, it was good. Erin Carter gets caught up in a Spanish supermarket robbery. After a tussle with one of the perpetrators he recognises her as 'Kate'.
As the title suggests we then see who Erin Carter really is.
There's nothing groundbreaking here, we've seen other series with similar plots but this ran smoothly, was never really boring and kept the audience guessing.
It's seven episodes with a running time of around fifty minutes per episode.
A solid seven out of ten from me.
How to ruin a good premise
Casino-Royale29 August 2023
How to? Bring in a lead character who encourages zero empathy, a kid who should have most definitely been left behind if they'd had any sense, and then add in the most ridiculous American style stunts where despite people being beaten to within an inch of their lives, they emerge 24 hours later without a mark on them..
It was so bad after I dragged myself through episode one and half of two I went straight to the final episode to fast forward to see what sort of contrived ending they threw together.
You can't blame the actors they did their best (well some of them did) but the script was awful and everything was so unbelievable it was highly irritating.
This had the potential to be good, but there were so many flaws and then more importantly zero and I mean zero chemistry, between any of the actors.
I also couldn't work out if some of the minor characters were actually speaking Spanish and it was being dubbed, there were weird accents and the timings were out.
Who is Erin Carter? Who actually cares.
It was so bad after I dragged myself through episode one and half of two I went straight to the final episode to fast forward to see what sort of contrived ending they threw together.
You can't blame the actors they did their best (well some of them did) but the script was awful and everything was so unbelievable it was highly irritating.
This had the potential to be good, but there were so many flaws and then more importantly zero and I mean zero chemistry, between any of the actors.
I also couldn't work out if some of the minor characters were actually speaking Spanish and it was being dubbed, there were weird accents and the timings were out.
Who is Erin Carter? Who actually cares.
Well heck, I'm enjoying it regardless!
mykol-hamilton25 August 2023
I'm on episode 4, so maybe it will tank soon, as one reviewer said it does, and yes, it requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but so far I like it anyway. Plus, ALL shows of this genre are ridiculous to varying degrees. No one but the good guys and gals can hit the side of a barn with their firearms, one person (little OR big) can unrealistically fight off hordes mano a mano, and on and on. I don't see this show as out on the margins on such measures. Just the normal silliness, which I can excuse because I'm used to it and because I'm drawn into this plot.
I disagree with early reviewers about other things. I think the acting is fine, the characters are interesting, there are unexpected twists and turns. I'm enjoying the unfolding story of Erin's life before Barcelona. But I'll come back and let you know if my praise takes a nosedive after this episode.
I disagree with early reviewers about other things. I think the acting is fine, the characters are interesting, there are unexpected twists and turns. I'm enjoying the unfolding story of Erin's life before Barcelona. But I'll come back and let you know if my praise takes a nosedive after this episode.
Fun!
johnseegers4 November 2023
Engaging characters. Manages to keep the mystery of "who is" going long enough to be entertaining. Wonderful cast that seems to be enjoying what they are doing. Well worth watching. Sadly it kind of falls apart for an episode or two when Erin moves from an interesting tough-chick to an action-hero. It is a shame they couldn't have kept it between the lines and based even loosely of reality/plausibility. Yeah silly stuff but certainly every bit as entertaining as 90% of the other stuff out there these days. Nice to see a power female lead! Blah blah blah stupid word count nonsense I hate you IMDB.
I wanted to like this....but
Otte126 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
There are way too many plotholes to ignore, huge plotholes. It is the run-of-the-mill mother with checkered past with chiild trying to lead a normal life when her past catches up. But the the lack of writing it would have served better as a straight comedy, which allows the viewer to not take it serious and not care about the plotholes. But it switches to straight drama/thriller and wants you to take it serious and turn your brain off when it doesn't.
You also have the issue of no one is really likeable, which may work in a movie, but in a series that is 8-10 hours long, no one want to watch something that long and not like anyone.
You also have the issue of no one is really likeable, which may work in a movie, but in a series that is 8-10 hours long, no one want to watch something that long and not like anyone.
For Fans of the Genre
dieuleveutkembo25 August 2023
By merely glancing at the title, we already know what this series is going to talk about. Similarly to projects such as "Who Killed Sara," a thriller from Mexico, we quickly get an idea of the plot right from the get go. And we are then given a chance to gradually dive into the story as hints are revealed for us to find the answer to the question being asked to the viewer. They certainly did a great job selling us this series with a impressive trailer, one that captivated our interest, literally not giving us any choice but to watch it upon being released. With roughly 4 episodes remaining, I can confidently say that the action scenes and the mystery behind the main character is what will grab your attention. The main actress, Evin Ahmad, is no Zoe Saldana, nor Charlize Theron, but you can tell that she is on a great physical condition, despite her movements not being as natural as the stars previously mentioned when comes the time to perform the fighting choerographies. The mystery behind her character, Erin Carter, will remind you of projects "In From The Cold," another American TV series set in Spain. You should therefore expect impressive sets, beautiful locations, and the kind of atmosphere that can only be found in southern Europe. For all these reasons, you should try the first couple of episodes to determine if this is really for you. And if characters such as Jenny Franklin, and Cataleya are an indications of action heros worth rooting for, Erin Carter will be added to your list of favorites after this.
Surprised.
pkpertemps27 August 2023
This turned out a nice surprise. Ended up binge watching. What can I compare it too,a female James Bond maybe. Yes,I agree it takes time to really get going,but after episode four it blows it out the park. I see now why they made it that way to draw you fully into the story. I think the production and location setting was well done,the action and stunt work are almost the same level as any Bourne movie. Great music too,yes,very happy with the production. Now the direction and actors. Overall the director did a good job, the main actress I did not recognize but by the end she had my admiration, the rest of the cast did a good job too. A lot of reviewers have mentioned Douglas Hensells involvement, and although he is a very good actor I thought he looked a little of place, I think a Spanish actor would have been better placed. But overall, a pleasant surprise.
Spy? Hero? Villain?
lakings9721 September 2023
Who is Erin Carter? Is a Netflix mini series that might be welcome over multiple seasons. Carter is played by Evin Ahmed who is a Swedish actress of Kurdish origins. This is a British show about who we think is a school teacher but in actually she has a past that comes to back to haunt her. The story unravels as the episodes unfold who really is Erin Carter. The series is intriguing and fun to watch with all it's fighting sequences and yes the dialogue could have been better but it was enjoyable. Sean Teale, Denise Ghough, and Indica Harper are part of the cast with very limited acting history but overall the chemistry of the cast worked in this show. I liked this series and I do hope they make additional seasons but if they don't, it did end on a respectively good note.
6.5 out of 10... watchable but irritating
daniel-r-n8 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
So, it was watchable and pretty predictable. There were so many things that griped me though. Such as it being set in Spain, Erin speaks no Spanish at all, her husband is Spanish and friends are Spanish, yet 99% of the spoken language is English. Jordi only starts to have some kind of character development at episode 5, before that he hovers around the house while Erin goes missing and gets beaten up non stop, coming home bruised and cut and he questions nothing. Erin gets away with everything! A man gets mowed down outside the pharmacy after she follows him and she's on cctv as the last person seeing him and having an altercation, yet you hear nothing of that again.. steals a police car after assaulting them, gets chased down by them until they crash and most likely are seriously injured and nothing heard again.. oh and she stole a child and ran away with stolen gold.. the list goes on.
With all that that being said, I found it watchable but the writing was lazy and unbelievable.
With all that that being said, I found it watchable but the writing was lazy and unbelievable.
... remove Nexflix association ... gets-better-ratings
bjarias26 August 2023
... don't know-understand what some reviewers are expecting (has Netflix-bias-maybe)... Who Is Erin Carter? Is one of the better Euro action thrillers Netflix is offering recently... through all its seven well-acted-produced episodes series remains enjoyable viewing
... all actors are good, yet the one you look for continually is Indica Watson... only twelve years old at filming, she's terrific in this series... acting since age five, it's for sure that she is to continue becoming one of the more well known-recognized faces of young European actors-models
... could be a second season for this series might come about, storylines-are-present, sure hope it does.. the action-drama-genre can always use another worth watching... especially on Netflix productions being they're not always realized the best, and why some viewers downgrade many of their offerings not deserving it.
... all actors are good, yet the one you look for continually is Indica Watson... only twelve years old at filming, she's terrific in this series... acting since age five, it's for sure that she is to continue becoming one of the more well known-recognized faces of young European actors-models
... could be a second season for this series might come about, storylines-are-present, sure hope it does.. the action-drama-genre can always use another worth watching... especially on Netflix productions being they're not always realized the best, and why some viewers downgrade many of their offerings not deserving it.
Very dumb but entertaining for a quick senseless binge
sawyergal-18 September 2023
This short series seems to have been written by people who enjoy as a crime, thriller genre, but don't really understand how to do it. Nothing is explained, despite the framework of the plot being pretty complicated. It's laughable at times, and the fight scenes and chase sequences are reminiscent of 1970s Charlie's Angels. I enjoyed watching it despite it being very light weight because I wanted to know what was going to happen and the people were very pretty. There were a couple of good characters, but I think they really should have just straight up gone the comedy route because it edges right up against it so many times, but doesn't really pull the trigger so you can't tell if it's intentional or not. I think it's not.
Muddled, unengaging action series
wellthatswhatithinkanyway17 September 2023
STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful
SERIES ONE
Erin (Evin Ahmad) is a British expat, living in Spain with her daughter Harper (Indica Watson) and partner Jordi (Sean Teale), and working as a teacher at the local school. Things seem to flow along normally, until one day she finds herself caught up in a hold-up at a local convenience store, where she swiftly dispatches all the assailants. This sets in motion a chain of events, involving a secret past on both sides of the law, and a run-in with shadowy local bigwig Daniel Lang (Douglas Henshall) that could force her to bring her past to the surface once again.
An action adventure tale can be enhanced, at least aesthetically, with a vibrant surrounding, with sun, sea, sand and luscious mountains providing an alluring backdrop to all the high paced, exciting goings on. And so Who is Erin Carter?, Netflix's latest high octane offering, at least has the location right, slap bang in the Mediterranean coastline. It hasn't, sadly, been as clever with the storyline, as anyone familiar with the 2005 David Cronenberg film A History of Violence will attest, with its depiction of someone living under an assumed identity regaining lethal skills in a moment of crisis. And, after the terribly convoluted first episode, thing's really fail to improve from there.
It's hard to develop any connection with any of the characters or the story they're framed in, given the muddled and disjointed way the script plays out, as well as how increasingly nonsensical the story becomes as it further progresses, a typical trope for an action adventure to fall in to, but further distracting with its other shortcomings. It's also tonally unsure of itself, unsure if it wants to be a no nonsense adventure, or a tongue in cheek send up of itself, with most of the humour feeling awkward and a little forced, leaving it as messy and uncertain as the story.
Some snazzy action in the third act, if you manage to last it that long, elevates things a little bit, but it's generally a sloppy mess that leaves little anticipation for any more. Who Is Erin Carter? On the basis of this, who would want to know? **
SERIES ONE
Erin (Evin Ahmad) is a British expat, living in Spain with her daughter Harper (Indica Watson) and partner Jordi (Sean Teale), and working as a teacher at the local school. Things seem to flow along normally, until one day she finds herself caught up in a hold-up at a local convenience store, where she swiftly dispatches all the assailants. This sets in motion a chain of events, involving a secret past on both sides of the law, and a run-in with shadowy local bigwig Daniel Lang (Douglas Henshall) that could force her to bring her past to the surface once again.
An action adventure tale can be enhanced, at least aesthetically, with a vibrant surrounding, with sun, sea, sand and luscious mountains providing an alluring backdrop to all the high paced, exciting goings on. And so Who is Erin Carter?, Netflix's latest high octane offering, at least has the location right, slap bang in the Mediterranean coastline. It hasn't, sadly, been as clever with the storyline, as anyone familiar with the 2005 David Cronenberg film A History of Violence will attest, with its depiction of someone living under an assumed identity regaining lethal skills in a moment of crisis. And, after the terribly convoluted first episode, thing's really fail to improve from there.
It's hard to develop any connection with any of the characters or the story they're framed in, given the muddled and disjointed way the script plays out, as well as how increasingly nonsensical the story becomes as it further progresses, a typical trope for an action adventure to fall in to, but further distracting with its other shortcomings. It's also tonally unsure of itself, unsure if it wants to be a no nonsense adventure, or a tongue in cheek send up of itself, with most of the humour feeling awkward and a little forced, leaving it as messy and uncertain as the story.
Some snazzy action in the third act, if you manage to last it that long, elevates things a little bit, but it's generally a sloppy mess that leaves little anticipation for any more. Who Is Erin Carter? On the basis of this, who would want to know? **
Attention grabbing and entertaining!
mardlvrboy18 October 2023
Pretty damn good show! Evian Ahmad reminded me at times of Sarah Shahi (Fairly Legal, pretty hot... right?) and her performance was outstanding. The rest of the cast is also great, the story line is a familiar one (undercover cop develops friendships with the bad guys which serves as a starting point) but the action grabs you in the first couple of episodes and it does not let go. "Who is Erin Carter"possesses a great combination of action and the story of a mother navigating through the waters of a turbulent past. If you are trying to find your next binge-worthy show, look no further. I hope they come back for a second season!
Decent Drama
65StingRay26 August 2023
It will be hard for some people to accept this series as the most important roles are all women with power. The writing is decent and the acting is very good. Locations are beautiful and the wardrobe department outdid themselves. Is it utterly believable ... no, but it's not pretending to be 'reality tv'. It's entertainment and, as such, it succeeds. Let's face it, if shows are too good they never last ... and Netflix is famous for cancelling really good shows, so hopefully this one is good enough for the masses, but not so good that it only appeals to 'the few'. That was the end of my review but I was a few characters short so I added this sentence.
Random
dermodyshelleymarie26 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
British teacher with a Swedish accent manages to become a teacher without any qualifications, references or criminal records checks. She witnesses a holdup in a supermarket and despite not having been in a fight for years is suddenly an excellent ninja and saves the day. Although, she is in a completely different country, the criminal gang that are carrying out the hold-up just happen to be a gang that she used to run with when she was in the UK. Though she manages to bash one of the gang over the head with a jar of tomato sauce, he was able to recognise her. The main character Erin despite having lived in Barcelona for several years is unable to carry out a conversation in Catalan or Spanish. Erin is joined by rest of the cast who are equally strangely-accented and poorly scripted. The story is random and pretty unbelievable.
Entertaining enough
Hughmanity8 September 2023
This was a decent show and entertaining enough that I stuck with it to the end. The female protagonist isn't always likeable but she's the lesser of evils in this play. It gets a little unrealistic with this tiny woman kicking @ss on some supposed ex-military types but whatever, that happens in almost every action-oriented show now.
The daughter is also not totally believable at times with her adult dialogue and some harsh reactions at moments that seemed out of place.
Besides those nits it's an engaging premise and plot with some interesting side characters that are well-acted. I don't think I'd want to see another season but this one was good enough for a 7.
The daughter is also not totally believable at times with her adult dialogue and some harsh reactions at moments that seemed out of place.
Besides those nits it's an engaging premise and plot with some interesting side characters that are well-acted. I don't think I'd want to see another season but this one was good enough for a 7.
Mysterious past catches up with a schoolteacher
magnoliacream4 September 2023
Erin Carter (Evin Ahmad) is a British temp schoolteacher living with her nurse husband Jordi Collantes (Sean Teale) and daughter Harper (Indica Watson) in Barcelona. Her main preoccupations at the moment are to become a full-time teacher and to keep Harper from being expelled for attacking a classmate.
While going shopping with Harper at a supermarket, they get caught in a robbery where Erin ends up shooting one of the robbers. The incident makes news and not only raises eyebrows among her acquaintances but also catches the attention of characters in her past and present who would end up exposing her dark secrets.
I found this engrossing. Erin is a caring mother, a loving wife and a dedicated teacher, so the mystery about her past is intriguing. The action scenes tend to be more violent than I care for, but the unmasking of her real identity is exciting and satisfying.
While going shopping with Harper at a supermarket, they get caught in a robbery where Erin ends up shooting one of the robbers. The incident makes news and not only raises eyebrows among her acquaintances but also catches the attention of characters in her past and present who would end up exposing her dark secrets.
I found this engrossing. Erin is a caring mother, a loving wife and a dedicated teacher, so the mystery about her past is intriguing. The action scenes tend to be more violent than I care for, but the unmasking of her real identity is exciting and satisfying.
See also
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