C.B. Strike

C.B. Strike, also known as "Strike" in the United Kingdom, is a British television series debuted in 2017 on Cinemax that is based on the "Strike" novels written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Rising from a collaboration between BBC One and HBO/Cinemax, this character-driven detective series draws the audience into the private and professional life of Cormoran Strike, a grizzled war veteran turned private detective.

Strike, played with rugged charm by Tom Burke, is the heart of the series. Cormoran Strike is a complex character, an ex-military policeman who lost part of his leg in Afghanistan. He has left the military to set up his private detective agency operating out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Although he is physically imposing and ruggedly handsome, he’s somewhat down at heel, often half-broke, but nevertheless persistent and principled.

The true strength of the series is not just Cormoran Strike but how his investigations interconnect with his personal life. His relationships, particularly with his assistant Robin Ellacott, played by Holliday Grainger, are central to the drama. Robin, initially hired as a temporary secretary, becomes pivotal to the series as she quickly proves her worth and exhibits a flair for detective work. Her evolving relationship with Strike, their shared respect and chemistry, becomes a finely drawn arc through the series.

The on-screen portrayal of London is another vibrant character to the series, reflecting the dark tones and grimy secrets that often fuel Strike's investigations. The city is shown in its full range, from the winding back alleys to the ruthless world of the wealthy. It’s convincingly lived-in, adding a layer of grit that reminds us of the realities of life as a private investigator.

C.B Strike showcases a variety of fascinating, complicated mysteries that Strike and Robin undertake together in the series. These different investigations range from the suspicious death of a supermodel that was declared a suicide, to a brutal killer who has managed to elude the police, through to a novelist who has mysteriously disappeared. These mysteries are drawn straight from Rowling’s novels: "The Cuckoo's Calling" (2013), "The Silkworm" (2014), and "Career of Evil" (2015). Thus, the series mirrors the books it was based on, remaining relatively faithful to key plot points and elements, while adding its own nuances and adaptations.

One of the brilliance of this series lies in its dedication to the complexity of its characters and their development. Their individual personal histories, their struggles, their flaws, and vulnerabilities all interact to shape their characters and drive the narrative. Robin has a problematic relationship with her fiancé, and Strike deals with a complicated past with his rockstar father and an ex-girlfriend. Their individual predicaments often add color to their professional roles, showing us the human side of the detective work they’re engaged in.

The writing of the series is also commendable, merging an intelligent, nuanced narrative with detailed character development. There is an impressive balance between the thriller elements and the emotional dynamics of the characters involved. It's more than just murder mysteries solved by a hard-bitten detective. The human aspects of Strike and Robin's lives, their relationships, their struggles, and their triumphs are given equal elements of importance, painting a multidimensional picture of the world within the series.

Direction, performances, and adaptation all bring C.B. Strike to life in a compelling way. Tom Burke brings a rough, world-worn tenderness to Strike, presenting a character with both strength and fragility. Holliday Grainger is luminous as Robin, her vitality contrasting beautifully with the grim backdrop of their investigations.

C.B. Strike is a thrilling crime series that promises dense narratives and captivating characters. While the plotlines keep audiences on their toes, it's the wonderfully developed characters and relationships that make viewers return for more. For fans of the detective genre, or anyone who appreciates character-driven narratives interwoven with complex mystery-solving, C.B. Strike serves as a remarkable and worthwhile watch.