The much-awaited York-set police drama Patience had its premiere on Channel 4 last night – but what did people think?
The new six-part series by Eagle Eye Drama brings us a crime drama with a difference, as it heavily focuses on representing neurodiversity.
Filmed in York last summer, it showcased the city looking stunning in sunshine – with some beautiful shots of Lendal Bridge, Monkgate Bar and Station Rise in the opening episode. So what was the verdict?
The first episode, and the first of a two-parter, introduced us to titular character Patience (Ella-May Purvis), a young autistic woman and civilian worker in the Police Records Office and her slightly more chaotic counterpart DI Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser).
When DI Metcalf meets Patience and discovers her unique insight to investigations, she realises she may be the key asset to her team in solving the mystery as to why a doctor self-immolated in a car park.
With a cliffhanger ending to the first episode, we were left on tenterhooks as to what might come next.
Like some of the best talked-about television, Patience has split audiences down the middle…
The Daily Mail gave it four out of five stars, and highlighted the “unexpected turn” when Detective Metcalf followed Patience to her autistic adults meeting. “Patience’s character fully came to life.
“We began to understand her and the way she navigates the world, even though she said nothing.
“DI Metcalf also began to understand – it’s this connection that promises to give the show a deeper resonance.”
The Times rated it three stars out of five, and remarked that titular star “Ella Maisy Purvis gives a fresh and convincing performance” but noted with “some hilarity” that detective Metcalf “parked her car on double yellows just outside the city walls on a virtually empty road.
“I have never been to York city centre when it hasn’t been bumper to bumper, but then this is mystical TV land.”
The Telegraph also scored it three stars, and praised the “subtler moments, as when Metcalf realises that learning to think like Patience would make her a better detective.”
The Guardian was less than impressed, awarding it only two stars, but did mention that there is a “potentially nice pseudo-maternal relationship established between Patience and Metcalf.”
It’s not just about the critics though – what did our readers think, after we asked them to share their thoughts via social media?
“Enjoyed it,” one reader commented. “I liked the detailed character development in episode one. I live in York, so it’s good to see all the locations.
“Impressed at the focus on neurodiversity which you rarely see represented.”
“Loved it. Intriguing, exciting and coherent,” another reader said. “Great travelogue for York, too – must visit for our first look very soon!”
There was a lot of praise for seeing York on screen, with one reader commenting to say that it “even made me want to go do a tourist day in York.”
Another agreed, saying that it’s “lovely to see our city on screen.”
“I really enjoyed watching this, good to see York looking so good,” another reader added.
The second episode of Patience airs tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm. If you missed the first episode or would like to watch ahead, episodes are available to stream via All4.