Killer face-off sees co-leads at their best

The Fall Seasons 1-3 iplayer ●●●●● Gripping cat-and-mouse thrills

Having watched, and enjoyed, this show when it was first shown, I decided to give it another go.

If anything it improves on second viewing – particularly the powerhouse performances of co-leads Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan.

Anderson plays Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson who is hot on the heels of Dornan’s cerebral serial killer Paul Spector.

Dornan’s scorching turn was so strong Hollywood came calling and while he rather boobed by signing up for the Fifty Shades trilogy, he is now landing more impressive roles.

Show creator Allan Cubitt wisely doesn’t present Spector as your typical wide-eyed psychopath; he is a cool, everyday man and we see as much of his family life as the pursuits of his unfortunate next victims.

Anderson matches him all the way. Though Stella sometimes comes across as cold, it’s because she is so committed to her job – and catching Spector – especially in the face of pressure from her superiors and the media.

The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Gibson and Spector works really well and makes their eventual electrifying face-offs drip with tension and pentup rage.

Cubitt rounded up a splendid supporting cast too. The ever reliable John Lynch (Jim) is as close as Stella has to an ally, Aisling Franciosi (Katie) plays a dangerous game with Spector and Bronagh Waugh is everything a mum whose life is turned upside down should be as Spector’s wife Sally Ann.

Truthfully, The Fall peaks with its first season and the following two don’t quite live up to the same very high standards.

But it’s rarely less than gripping and while there is talk of more to come, I hope Cubitt calls it a day with the exciting climax.

●What are your thoughts on The Fall? Did you see it when it was shown first time around?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.

Sandra H. Brown said: “I recently viewed a film called Restless Natives on the BBC iplayer; although it’s 36-yearsold, it can only be described as a Scottish classic.

“It is a light-hearted comedy which is uplifting to watch, and has an excellent soundtrack.”

Chilling presencedornan stars as Paul Spector