A new UKTV period crime drama called The Pinkertons, based on the story of a real life crime fighting agency of the same name, is scheduled to premiere Sunday 30 August at 8pm. I had the pleasure of catching a sneak preview of the show’s first episode and I reckon it has what it takes to captivate an audience keen for rootin’ tootin’ shoot ‘em up crime-fighting action tempered with historical accuracy, laced with strong plot lines, and loaded with mystery.
Bringing law and order to Reconstruction Era Kansas City while establishing a thriving business that exists to this very day, Scotsman Allan Pinkerton (played by Braveheart’s Angus Macfayden,) created the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Working alongside him was his son William, (played by Jacob Blair) and America’s first female detective, Kate Warne (played by Superbad’s Martha MacIsaac).
The soon to air series is to feature stories based on actual cases from the early days of the agency. A key component of the show is MacIsaac’s portrayal of Warne, who seems capable of solving crime with methodical objectivity as she deals in stride with the machismo and sexism of the era. Juxtaposed against this is the more impulsive approach of her fresh-faced colleague William. Situations arising in the premiere episode suggest there’s going to be plenty of humour interspersed throughout this action-packed drama as Warne and the junior Pinkerton learn to work together despite their divergent styles and dispositions.
Fans of Ripper Street, Murdoch Mysteries, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries should especially enjoy tuning in to watch The Pinkertons. As for me, I love a good Western and appreciate a thoughtfully produced period drama – if there’s a touch of reality in the story then so much the better. The first episode of The Pinkertons replete with a train robbery, bushwackers, and tense scenes in a shady saloon was a lot of fun. I’ll be on the lookout for a chance to see next episode for sure.
Post sponsored by UKTV.