User reviews

I have to disagree with the reviewer who said this was ITV at it's worst. I found the characters to be enjoyable, if somewhat predictable. I rather wish this was a prelude to a series as I would enjoy seeing the team after they had come together finally in the end. If this had been a longer series, say 6 episodes it would have been even better. They could done a lot more character development. I do admit that the last episode felt a bit rushed (which is the reason for my previous statement). Bring on more Rupert.... This was a different kind of character from his role in Spooks. A bit of stretching is always good for an actor :) how about someone from the working class next eh? :)

Whitechapel on paper seemed as an interesting idea to work from, and in reality it was like that exactly. Some of the character development may come across as rather hackneyed at some points, but what made Whitechapel work especially for me was its atmosphere. The atmosphere is resolutely creepy and gripping, and this is helped by some top notch production values and haunting music.

The writing is thoughtful and well written and the story lines are always compelling and well paced with some genuinely shocking scenes to boot. The direction is taut, and the acting is another high point of Whitechapel, Rupert Penry-Jones is spot on, a more cold and cynical Phil Davis is perfectly cast and Steve Pemberton steals every time he's in with a performance that is both creepy and sympathetic at the same time.

Overall, a gripping and quite excellent series. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I don't know why this show gets so much hate, but there's no way it's because of the actors. It's been a long time since I've watched anything of this standard. Sure, the show no doubt has its flaws, as all shows do. I've seen people complain about historical inaccuracies, and they're probably right. That doesn't spoil anything for me, though. I didn't expect a documentary. I loved the way the characters' relationships were portrayed, and they were all believable and heartwarming. I loved that British sense of humour from the very first episode and all through the series. I absolutely adored DI Chandler - he is, hands down, the most relatable character I have ever seen on TV. I don't suffer from OCD (I periodically have a very mild form of it), but I am autistic, and even though he isn't necessarily supposed to be, I see so many of my own traits in him. He is the sweetest and most adorable, socially awkward character I have ever seen, and Rupert Penry-Jones did an excellent job of portraying him. His issues are realistic, and I loved how Miles supported him instead of ridiculing him or just telling him to get help. I loved everything about this show, and the only thing I missed was a fifth season, because the fourth left a few things hanging.

"Whitechapel" is rather like a Dan Brown novella. What it lacks in actual writing talent, it more than makes up in storyline.

The previous commenter skewered this 3-part ITV crime drama, a modernist re-do of the Jack the Ripper murders, but the high scores (9.0 out of 10 at time of writing) tell a different tale. Those who are watching are clearly enjoying this fast-paced, oddly dark series. I suspect this is a reflection on other lacklustre series offered today, as much as its own qualities, but equally it could be because of its ambitious narrative. It's one of those programmes which charms the viewer despite its flaws.

Rupert Penry-Jones, he of Spooks/Cambridge Spies and son of television grande dame Angela Thorne, leads a cast of unevenly talented actors who have been given the impossible task of updating the Jack the Ripper murders. But it's not just the crime which has been updated, but for once, so has the copper.

Like many "paper cops", who have more education than experience, DI Joseph Chandler (Penry-Jones) seems a bit wet to his hard-bitten colleagues in the force. His Savile Row suits, David Beckham haircuts, fashionably large Tag Heuer Grand Carrera Chronograph Calibre 17 watch (Penry-Jones is a big Tag fan), as well as homeopathic remedies for tension -- a mint pomade for the temples -- scream out metrosexual for these 'lager and crisps' men. It's all too much when he asks them to shower and look more respectable in a suit, not to mention actually read whole books on the Ripper murders, which they reluctantly do.

East Londoner extraordinaire, DI Miles (Philip Davis), especially doesn't like this new state of affairs. It's possible that he sees a future when policemen will be more like Penry-Jones than the rogue-copper-with-a-heart-of-gold version he represents; he constantly refuses to acknowledge the lad may have some good ideas. His colleagues agree, save for one DI Chandler wannabe, played by Sam Stockman. With his off-the-peg suits, and "crapuccinos" (as they are teasingly referred to by others), it seems even the lower orders may desire a more polished style.

The series is never bogged down by details of the old Ripper saga, perhaps due to the eccentric Ripperologist who hovers around the story, played to the hilt by the excellent Steve Pemberton. Could the mastermind of the modern Ripper murders, replicated to the exact detail, be none other than a man whose entire life is dedicated to Jack the Ripper? Or perhaps like an Agatha Christie murder, the obvious is too, well, obvious?

Whitechapel may have any number of flaws, not the least of which are hackneyed character development, seeming like a cross between Prime Suspect, Morse and cult-classic Edge of Darkness, but it packs a very intriguing punch all the same.

Most police dramas follow the same formulas, and rely on good acting, solid writing, crisp direction -- if they work, which most don't. Whitechapel breaks the mold. It is possibly the most imaginative police drama ever made, combining odd procedural elements with fantasy, relying on history and facts, creating characters unlike any others in similar shows, and basically inventing a world that is both believable and extraordinary. On top of that, the acting is superb, especially the wonderfully named Rupert Penry-Jones, but all the others are excellent too. So sad it only lasted four seasons. A police show like no other.

This is something a bit different from the usual police procedural and it works very well because of the stylish and stylised direction and some great acting. The different sides of policing are painted with a broad brush but are essentially true, from the squad-room boys' club to the top brass—all management-speak plus old boys' network. Anyone who works in a company, private or public, of any scale, has seen these in action even today!

Phil Davis is cast very much to type as the cynical, angry, working policeman but the twist here is that he is the one who makes major mistakes every time about the perpetrator of the crimes and the possible suspects.

Steve Pemberton manages to be creepy and sympathetic at the same time.

Rupert Penry-Jones' subtle and far-from-heroic presentation of the "useless" plastic fast-tracker is spot-on, as is his gradual realisation that he's out of his depth and is being cast adrift by his "puppetmasters". He's been brilliant at the slow transformation into a real investigator, going with his instincts instead of by the book. It's a very unshowy but intense and believable performance and one of his best to date. The premise is highly imaginative by its nature but the mix of factual background and stylised dramatisation is so effective because it exercises the imagination. So many people, on the net and round the water-cooler, are talking about this drama, who dunnit and how the main characters are going to pan out, whether successful or failed or shattered. That's the mark of a really successful piece of TV!

I loved the characters and the story lines, and especially the history they brought into the series. It was a sad day for me when this series ended!

For some reason, it seems older than it is. As if it were done in the late 90s or early 2000s instead of later. Lots of good stories and characters and side stories, but the thing that cost it a star for me was the fancy schmancy camera work that almost gives me an epilepsy attack. It's all whishy when there's no need for it other than someone with a new toy. I like that the cops are real and we get to know some of them on a more complex level.

The seasons are short - 3 episodes - so don't get too comfortable. This is a good binge program.

Amazing TV series! I remember watching it 7 years ago and to this day, I wish it wasn't axed by ITV! The cliff hanger they left us on at the end of Season 4 was criminal. I still hope another streaming channel (preferably Netflix) picks it up and continues it, has so much potential!

Would've been 10/10 had it not been axed on such a cliff hanger!

The first season was enjoyable, the second season less so and the third season even less, with the fourth just becoming annoying. What really undid the whole show for me was the realisation that main character, Ed Buchan, was played by main writer, Steve Pemberton. This was probably why the character, who I did enjoy at first, ended up feeling so redundant and played up, with irrelevant story lines and cliché 'nice guy who does no wrong' characteristics. The seasons fall into a strict course of action and utilise repetitive imagery and symbols, so if you read the story lines based off of precedence the killer reveals themselves almost immediately. Some positives? Mainly likable characters, good editing and cinematography; making it an aesthetically pleasing and deeply gritty watch. The perversion of the crimes and the empathy that is built up for DI Chandler, and his at times crippling desire to succeed, does make for it to be an entertaining series. Overall, the show was moderate. Even though I didn't like the later series, I am still upset that it got cancelled.

This is a well acted series but the plot often does not seem to have enough dots to connect the events. Things happen in each episode that makes the viewer wonder if they missed some line of dialog that would explain how the event occurred. At times, everything just seemed to be sewn up a bit too neatly. The show is formula driven in that each season is driven by some historical crime that occurred in Whitechapel and suddenly copied by the present day perpetrators. It's an average series, nothing special.

I have watched the entire series, all 4 at least three times... This show really started out well, with a copycat Jack The Ripper storyline... Series 2 and 3 were also really good. This series really exemplifies what a gritty, thought provoking UK series is... it exemplifies what a series should be even in the States...

The only issue I have is that series 4 goes more paranormal than the previous 3 series... I believe that is what killed the show. I think if the writers stayed the course with investigating murders, and linking them to historical crimes... the show would still be on.

I will sadly miss seeing new episodes, and will have to watch only the 4 series that are available...

Great show!

I was fortunate to pick up this program on my "free on-demand" cable program. I found it gritty and so different from the usual police drama with a cookie cutter plot.

Beginning with a Jack the Ripper copycat was a stroke of genius. The twists and turns kept me interested and involved in the drama. Two issues were going on: The new, obsessive-compulsive boss takes over and the detectives don't like it one bit. Plus the killings keep them on their feet and the focus is on thinking their way through the crime book of Jack the Ripper. Wonderful drama! I also like the character of the "ripperologist" who helps them out. I love the quirky personalities of the people involved and how they have to work together to find the real killer. Also a big surprise.

The second part about the Krays was a bit less interesting. I mean, how can you follow up after Jack the Ripper? But the drama was still there. I see that there will be another season in 2012. I sincerely hope they keep up the good work of tying in the historical element.

They could even have a copycat Henry the VIII! That would be very cool indeed.

Need a series 5, the story had really come together, it can't stop here!

What makes television different from theater or film? There's far more cliché and plot holes in television dramas. Whitechapel is no exception. Taking the premise and plot by itself its an awful idea: someone's re enacting famous crimes. Exactly re enacting them which should make it easy to solve. The Krays shot up a pub or boozer in the vernacular so it would be sensible to avoid the boozer on the anniversary that the same pub was shot to pieces. Machine guns replacing shotguns.

The first episode is the most documented and notorious of all: Jack the Ripper. A homicidal maniac that decapitated women and yet has a legendary cache due to the incompetence of the police to catch his bloody trail.

As expected the program follows the exact path, dates and places of the killings. The places, and they still can't catch the killer! But this is an enjoyable drama because its parts are greater than its whole.

Rupert Penry-Jones and Phil Davis as the two contrasting police officers are the heart of this drama. It maybe a cliché that good cop and cop that bends the rules will butt heads but find a real respect and loyalty to each other; but without this central teamwork the dram would fall to pieces.

Rupert Penry-Jones is the university graduate who has been fast tracked in to promotion and thinks the rule book is always right and the law can be trusted. Phil Daniels is the hard living police sergeant who, again the hackneyed, knows the streets he patrols. He has a chip on his shoulder about his Superior officer Rupert having been to university.

What makes this drama better than it really should be is Penry-Jones arrogant certainties breaking down in realization that a degree and faith in the law doesn't solve everything and that there are people more ruthless than he even as a police officer realized. Phil Daniels snearing contempt is tempered as his sympathy for Rupert's confusion and sense of helplessness and a growing respect for him.

Penry-Jones gives his best performance consisting of subtle but intense emotion and realism.

Steve Pemberton gives a performance similar to a couple of characters from the League of Gentlemen but with the over the top exaggerations toned down- slightly. He plays a wildly enthusiastic tour guide of London's criminal past. Ever happy to show off his in-depth knowledge of brutal killings, dates and places, Phil Daniels sergeant is understandably irritated by the amateur detective's fascination with the savage of Jack the Ripper. But its the same enthusiasm that provides the knowledge they need to hunt the killer.

If people find this program offensive, especially the Jack the Ripper episodes then they have a point. To appreciate this drama you may need to suspend reality, which is one of the purposes of television and appreciate the performances and the production

Brilliant series - Once in to it,gripping.Fantastic cast Must bring it back

This century has generated and produced so many distinct TV series that one would inevitably become "spoilt" by them, you become picky and demand fluent and smooth course of events, lots of twists and turns, and sharp focusing on the approach or topic you prefer. I, for example, withstand some mysticism in the background, but wrongdoers should be'of flesh and blood' and the crimes should be using wisdom and attentiveness, not a divine hand or someone from outer space...

So, to me, Whitechapel had some pain to kick start, and the first 2 seasons seemed protracted and vague; references to old mysteries did not clarify present matters, but added odd comparisons and hectic events. True the cast was distinct, to be followed with interest and sympathy, particularly Phil Davis as D.S. Ray Miles and Steve Pemberton as Edward Buchan (at first, Rupert Penry-Jones reminded me of Monk too much). Nevertheless, I decided to watch all 4 seasons in sequence, and began to somehow plunge into their mood and depiction manners, trying to "skate over" long time lags and playful mysticism... A case per 2 episodes seemed good to me, the events became catchier, but the final case (4/3) did not round up the Series in a reasonable manner, just added confusion about the possible Season 5 that has never come into existence.

Thus, "only" 7 points from me, as the UK series like Luther or What Remains have been more to my taste. But still a good work, better than many US related series.

The characters were all interesting and the story lines were fantastic. I'm mystified why they would cancel such a great show.

I've always liked British series, especially crime related which have long tradition in British television.

So here is a 8 star crime-drama with interesting historical tints. This can't go wrong, right?

Wrong.

Elephant sized plot holes on non-existing script which stalls on petty sidelines and then in a last minute sums everything up without satisfactory conclusion.

One dimensional clichéd characters with little-to-no growth whose actions are idiotic and naive (to a point I had to take pauses just to bite my hand not to scream aloud) topped with pointless and flat dialogue.

Abusing historical facts as they please still leaving incoherent story line.

Technically excellent with good acting but... with writing this bad which constantly underestimates viewer amazes me how something like this has 8 star average.

I really enjoyed this series, including the OCD inspector. It was interesting to see a rehash of the famous historical Whitechapel murders. I had read about most of them. 30 years ago, so it was, I admit, fascinating to see them cast in a new light, today.