The Pembrokeshire Murders

Another dramatic police detective miniseries based on a real case, with another dedicated but flawed detective and his team of investigators. This show had no trouble holding my interest with its intelligent script and competent ensemble cast. I did think a couple of the evidence leads they worked on and developed were more weak than they indicated. Even their “We got him!” Moment had me thinking, do you really? But it may be a case of focusing on the details for best dramatic effect, and that there was no time in a miniseries to cover all of the cumulative details that ecventually added up to a strong case to present to the jury. But setting aside all of the pluses and minuses of the show, I found it to be entertaining and isn’t that what it is all about?

Luke Evans is dogged but bland as detective Steve Wilkins who reopened two unsolved murders dating back to the 1980s. The main suspect is John Cooper already in prison for other crimes and due to be paroled soon. A fast moving drama about the real life conviction of Cooper. Keith Allen is rather creepy as Cooper. There is reliance on advances in DNA and good old fashioned police work. The drama condenses the five years investigation carried out by Wilkins. It is reluctant to criticise the original police investigation which looked flawed.