BBC’s revival of its beloved detective drama Inspector Lynley got off to a frosty start on Monday night, with viewers voicing their displeasure within minutes of the programme’s debut.
The new four-part crime series premiered on BBC One and stars Leo Suter, best known for Vikings: Valhalla, as aristocratic detective DI Tommy Lynley, alongside Sofia Barclay, who plays DS Barbara Havers.
The reboot arrives more than two decades after the original Inspector Lynley Mysteries first aired in 2001, starring Nathaniel Parke and Sharon Small, and anticipation quickly gave way to disappointment for some viewers.
Social media platform X was flooded with criticism, with many drawing unfavourable comparisons to the original series.
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Inspector Lynley cast on set
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Much of the backlash centred on the perceived lack of chemistry between the two leads. One viewer wrote: “Less than 10 minutes in and I already don’t like #Lynley. It does not have the charm of the original Inspector Lynley series, and there’s no chemistry between these two new versions, as there was between the original series characters.”
Another was more scathing, posting: “@BBC I don’t know much about the original series, but everything about this new one is terrible. The acting is terrible and the camera work is just strange. Too many clichés. It just feels cheap.”
A third summed up the mood bluntly: “This version: no chemistry, no charm.”
Others took issue with how closely the adaptation followed the source material. One viewer wrote: “The new series on BBC One is set in Cambridge and East Anglia but was actually filmed in Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains and Mallow Castle. Watch the scenery.”
Fans were quick to criticise the new BBC reboot
|BBC
Another complained about changes to DS Havers’ character, writing: “Any reason for completely changing Barbara Havers’ appearance? Her lack of physical attraction and dress sense runs through all the books. Unacceptable to have a leading female character you don’t fancy? This is the 21st century. Grow up.”
One further post simply declared: “So woke. Typical shite from the BBC #Lynley.”
Despite the criticism, not all viewers were unimpressed.
Several audience members praised Suter’s appearance in the role, with one fan gushing: “Oooo Lynley is rather easy on the eyes #Lynley.”
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Some called out the series for being too woke
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Another added: “#LeoSuter is looking mighty fine on BBC One #Lynley. The man suits a suit.”
The The Telegraph offered a more measured assessment, describing the reboot as “a bland but serviceable detective drama” for those approaching it without preconceptions, while branding it “a travesty compared to the brilliant original”.
The series is based on the bestselling novels by Elizabeth George and follows the mismatched partnership between privileged DI Lynley and his working-class colleague DS Havers.
In the opening episode, the pair investigate a suspicious death on Salcott, a small estuary island, while pursuing the trail of a valuable piece of artwork that ultimately uncovers two linked crimes.
Inspector Lynley cast on set
|BBC
The drama consists of four feature-length episodes, each running for 90 minutes and airing weekly on BBC One.
Suter, who was just eight years old when the original series first aired, acknowledged the pressure of stepping into such an established role.
“I was not aware of the books before I got the audition for the role of Lynley,” he said.
“But it was such a wonderful discovery to uncover the world of Lynley and the extensive material that exists. It’s a privilege getting to play a character who already has a devoted fan base.”
He added: “I think it’s important to pay respect and homage to the previous version but also to be brave enough to put out one’s own interpretation of the character.”