New Tricks

New Tricks is a unique blend of comedy, drama, and crime, the quintessential British show that is a perfect watch for those who appreciate a good whodunit with a dash of humor. Produced by Acorn Media and aired from 2003 to 2015, New Tricks still enjoys notable popularity thanks to a captivating plot line, well-written characters, and spectacular performances.

At the heart of New Tricks is a distinctive crime-solving team formed from retired police officers, brought back into action to reinvestigate cold cases that have been unsolved for years. This unusual team operates under the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) that wrangles together a quartet of quirky, once-flagship detectives who were retired, resented, or rejected due to various circumstances.

The squad is led initially by Superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman), a highly efficient and slightly work-obsessed officer. Known for her sensitiveness to officer casualty cases (due to a botched hostage situation), Pullman takes on the newly formed UCOS division as a professional challenge. Utterly professional and efficient, she keeps a clumsy trio of retired detectives in check, often with a touch of humor and sarcasm.

One of the squad's most remarkable members is ex-detective Gerry Standing, played brilliantly by Dennis Waterman. He adds the right amount of humor and sarcasm to the show, combined with his vast experience. Standing's crafty nature, together with an extraordinary gut instinct, plays an essential role in the team's success throughout multiple cases.

Adding a layer of diversity within the team is Brian Lane, portrayed by Alun Armstrong. As a skilled detective with an eidetic memory, Lane’s character battles both alcoholism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These struggles, coupled with his unique knack for detail, make him a driving force in solving several unsolved cases.

James Bolam completes the original trio as Jack Halford, a retired Deputy Assistant Commissioner. Halford still reels from the tragic loss of his wife but finds solace in helping solve mysteries that had stumped the police for years.

As the series progressed, new characters were brought in, every one of them carving their mark on the show. Nicolas Lyndhurst joined as the eccentric but genius Danny Griffin, bringing a unique approach to the team’s crime-solving techniques. Denis Lawson also joined the cast as retired Detective Inspector Steve McAndrew, a character with individualistic charm and soft persuasiveness layered with Scottish toughness. Tamzin Outhwaite stepped in later seasons as DCI Sasha Miller, replacing Amanda Redman's character as the team leader. Miller's openness and strong management style further added dynamicity to the unfolding narrative.

At its core, New Tricks is a detective crime show, but it's so much more than that. The unique characters, their interplay, and how they leverage their old-school methods in a modern criminal justice system add an entertaining depth to the narrative. Each episode explores a different unsolved case, allowing viewers an intriguing peek into a range of crimes and mysteries. Yet, the show frequently returns to its central theme: the lives and transformations of these retired detectives as they are thrown back into the job they loved and missed.

In particular, the scoring of the series only enhances the offerings of the plotline. Dennis Waterman, a man of many talents, not only contributes to the gritty humor on-screen but is also the voice behind the catchy title track, summing up the essence of the show with his evocative lyrics.

New Tricks, with its 12-season run, has established itself as a hallmark British crime comedy-drama. The compelling acting and quick script hint at the brilliance typical of a BBC production. The show's success lies in combining light-hearted banter with serious crime-solving, a feat brilliantly realised by a strong ensemble cast. Their ability to unpack forgotten cases with humor and camaraderie while simultaneously showing raw emotions, personal strife, and the hullabaloo of team dynamics, packs a powerful punch, which undoubtedly explains the long-standing popularity of this truly British show.