North Square [2000]

Currently lambasting one and all for reviewing programmes not yet out on dvd but still on it's actual first run on tv,I can comfort myself that I can refute slightly a perfectly fair charge of rank hypocrisy due to North square being in the public consciousness for a good eleven years - it aired on C4 for one series in 2000.Created by Peter Moffat(Criminal Justice and Silk,a kind of North Square for grown ups)the series centred around a legal practice in Leeds with particular emphasis placed on resident high flyers Rupert Penry Jones,Kevin McKidd and the excellent Helen McCrory and the chambers "fixer" Phil davis.As to authenticity not a clue but watching this bunch of hedonistic,barely principaled and colourful characters was very agreeable.Fast,funny and at times alarmingly amoral,the show had it's electrifying selling point in Davis who has never had a part before or since that so suited his rat like features and brusque manner.His character was alternately paternal,sinister,hilariously amoral and breathtakingly quotable(no spoilers here).At times he could overwhelm the drama and North Square could lose some of it's focus.There are reviews all over Amazon bemoaning "series cancelled before their time"-Jericho,Firefly,Flashforward etc etc but not many for british dramas.Inexplicable in 2000 and still today(C4 must have had cashflow problems or the cast must have hated each other - nothing else seems remotely sensible),North Square was high gloss,quality nonsense and its dvd release could not be more welcome.For any Phil Davis devotee,an absolutely essential purchase.

I remember thinking at the time how typically wrong-headed it was of C4 finally to give the magnificent Phil Davis such an excellent platform, only to pull the plug after one series! Viewing it again following the long-awaited DVD release, I'm simultaneously gratified and frustrated all over again. This superb and criminally underused actor is the heart, soul and icing on the cake of what is already a beautifully written and staged ensemble piece. The edgy humanity of the character he's called on to embody, plus the dialogue he's given and his delivery of it: these are pure joy, quite stunning. Indeed, a great cast and witty script move things on engagingly across the whole season towards a stunning revelation regarding Davis' character and an exquisite show-down with Helen McCrory. It really is a fine, if all too short-lived, example of great UK TV and, as I said, proof if anyone really needed it of just how much range, authority and charisma Davis has at his disposal. How any exec could think North Square "too American" with someone as authentic as Davis at the core is beyond me. Yes, it does have affinities with US output - but that's with the high quality stuff that so often eclipses our home-grown efforts. All the more tragic, then, that North Square had such a short outing. Still: there's plenty to savour here, so let's just be grateful for that.Update March 2013 - In a recent article referring to his own Oscar success, Daniel Day-Lewis ranked Phil Davis as one of his favourite actors, alongside Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Marlon Brando. Quite right, too!

Having watched a couple of episode I thought certain that it would be an excellent series. Unfortunately though, the courtroom drama becomes less and less, being replaced by a nonsense backstory. Eastenders style bed hopping, shouting and violence, are not what I watch a legal drama for. It is a shame, because the acting standard is high (apart from Penry Jones corpsing during one serious argument) and the dialogue is good.The biggest mistake was to make the head clerk all powerful. He was also central to the most ridiculous courtroom case of all in the series finale. The only way I think the show could have survived after that would have been to get rid of him. Without doubt Silk was inspired, by this series, but is aimed at different audience. It would be like comparing News of the World with Hello magazine. I did not enjoy Silk at all, but at least they writer's did learn the lesson that the Clerk needed to be kept in check.We should be thankful anyway that North Square kickstarted the screen careers of Rupert Penry Jones and Kevin McKidd. If you want to see how Lucius Vorenus would have faired in a Leeds court room, this is your chance. It is a shame that Ruth Millar has not gone on to enjoy a similar level of success, as she showed great promise here.Some might say the series reflects badly on the legal profession, I would say from my experience, it is kind to it. There is more honesty here than in Silk, but the judges and baristers are still too caring and competent compared with the real world.Overall======An interesting courtroom drama, which sadly ends up drowning in a sea of soap suds. Worth a watch, for its best scenes.

Fabulous Series ! A behind the scenes look at an English Law Firm ! I have enjoyed various stories that focus on English Lawyers starting with Rumpole at the Bailey, Judge Deed, Silk, The Brief, The Rake, and now North Square ! The stories, in my opinion rate at the very top ! They are contemporary to the present times, fast moving, emotional, entertaining, and comprehensive. Each of the episodes could be a series in itself. The actual courtroom scenes are brief, but the drama behind the scenes is extensively portrayed. I especially love the regional charm of Morag, a law pupil who really plays her role very well. Her Scottish accents is pure charm. The actors are all perfect for their roles and quite convincing in their performances. My only disappointment is that I am on the last episode of the 3 disc series and I am sure that I will be left with anticipation for; hopefully, a follow up.This series has it all; drama, comedy, romance, intrigue, and of course entertaining court room scenes, cases and scenario's.