The Suspect Episode 1 review: Aidan Turner is in the crosshairs of ITV’s new thriller

So when a young woman is found stabbed to death, half-buried in a cemetery, discovered by the police at the same time Joe and his family are having a leaf fight in said cemetery (there are reasons) and it turns out the woman was a former patient at Joe… and also applied to work for him recently… and accused him of sexual assault in the past… looks a bit suss to say the least.

And to be fair, Joe isn’t helping himself here. Brought in as a consultant after his chance (not chance) meeting with young detective Devi (Anjli Mohindra, who was excellent in the recent The Lazarus Project), Joe is taken to the morgue to see the body. Not only does he fail to reveal that he recognizes her, but he also memorizes the door code, sneaks back in when the police aren’t looking, and then lies about it. But seasoned homicide detective DI Ruiz (Shaun Parkes) isn’t about to let it pass. He smells a rat right away. Years on the beat have taught him to think like a criminal. But perhaps years of clinical psychology have taught Joe the same lessons?

It’s pretty subtle stuff, sure, but that doesn’t stop it from being entertaining. The suspect is a glossy production with plenty of talent behind and in front of the camera, including writer Peter Berry, who worked on it The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Main suspect back in the day and recently wrote episodes of Gangs of London. James Strong from Wake up and Wide church and Camilla Strøm Henriksen, who has meaty crime credits in her native Norway, share directing duties in a show that, from our first taste, feels ambitious and exciting if enjoyably silly.

Questions of whether or not Joe’s newly diagnosed Parkinson’s is responsible for his somewhat erratic behavior will no doubt play an important role as the show progresses. Exciting supporting characters are also likely to come to the fore. Joe’s long-time friend and colleague Dr. Fenwick (Fleabag’s Sian Clifford), who has asked Joe to walk her down the aisle at her upcoming wedding, is someone who is sure to be important. Joe’s patient Bobby Schofield, who attacked a woman for pushing in a cab queue, will definitely be back. Then there is the drama of Joe’s home life with his wife Julianne (Camilla Beeput), which will no doubt be threatened. And of course we have to hang out in the case-and-mouse hunt with our police duo.

We’ve seen many variations of this sort of thing, but there’s a pleasure in familiarity, and we’ve no doubt The Suspect will throw in plenty of hefty rug pulls as the plot unfolds.

The Suspect airs on ITV on Mondays at 9pm. Each episode will be available on the ITV Hub after broadcast.