Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

Created by Harry & Jack Williams

Broadcast: ITV
Concluded: 06/04/2020
Synopsis: Serial rapist Andrew Earlham has been found murdered and with a long list of people who wanted him dead, the police have their work cut out for them.
Cast: Joanne Froggatt, Ioan Gruffudd, Katherine Kelly, Danny Webb, Sam Spruell
Episodes: Six

At the end of the first series we learn that serial rapist Andrew Earlham (Ioan Gruffudd) has been found murdered, and series two picks up at that point. In the present the police, led by outsider DI Karen Renton (Katherine Kelly) are hunting down Andrew’s killer, with Laura Neilson (Joanne Froggatt) at the top of their suspect list. These events are intertwined with the past as we learn what Andrew was up to in the missing weeks before his murder, and the steps he took that led to his eventual death.

It had been over two years since Liar was last on our television screens, and in that time I had forgotten how unlikable protagonist, Laura Neilson was. I spent more time yelling at her self important behaviour than I did anything else. It was a very surreal situation as you’re supposed to be routing for her, and in many ways understand that if she isn’t going to stand up for herself then no one else will – and yet.

One other thing I found hard to swallow was DI Renton’s crusade to prove Laura’s guilt without a shred of evidence. There is a process to follow in police work (being the expert I am from all the shows I’ve watched of course) that DI Renton completely overlooked. She barely pointed to anyone else for a suspect until one was literally bundled up and put in her lap with a pretty bow on top.

I was sceptical at a second series because they could have very easily tied everything in series one with Andrew Earlham just going to prison, and so the longing out of the story felt contrived. That being said I think the series did a good job of bringing in Andrew’s past and having that effect the story, as well as making everyone look so suspicious that you really had no idea who killed him.

I won’t spoil who did it, but I will say that I enjoyed the view they spun through dialogue and even evidence, to skew our perceptions. It’s interesting because it’s a murder investigation where for all intents and purposes no one is upset about the person who’s died. In fact everyone is so openly angry at their rage towards the deceased that, that emotion can’t be used as subterfuge.

A good ending came out of this series, but I for one am glad it’s over (I believe). I know I’ve already said so, but Laura Neilson was such an unlikable character in both her voice and her attitude that I probably couldn’t stomach a third series with her at the helm.

Trailer below…