Channel Seven take a bow. The much anticipated debut of the newest Australian cop drama City Homicide made a sterling debut earlier tonight.
Australian drama had been a dying art but like the rains of this winter in Sydney so has the drought’s back been broken for television drama. Australia boasts a plethora of talent and our actors have done us proud.
Aaron Pedersen provides the strongest character in the six person strong cast with charisma and humor, he plays a very convincing cop. Until our first introduction of Pedersen’s character, Duncan Freeman the drama was a bit slow starting and developing characters.
Shane Bourne’s portrayal as Senior Sgt Stanley Wolfe leader of the Homicide squad is refreshing to the role of the ‘boss’ and with Noni Hazelhurst as a female in the commanding position adds gives depth to some obvious female-male power storylines in future episodes.
Daniel McPherson plays a brash, young, arrogant know-all cop and suits his role as Detective Simon Joyner like a glove. I am yet to be convinced by Damien Richardson who plays Detective Matt Ryan but balances the three lead males.
Nadine Gardner’s character, Jennifer Mapplethorpe needs some more development in this ‘blokey’ world but the female oppression angles is all ready being investigated.
Clever camera work, editing techniques and clever scripting has given City Homicide a fantastic launch pad. Suspense was built throughout the episode in a traditional storyline of a ‘who done it?’
Overall I am impressed with City Homicide, celebrating the return of Australian cop drama. Together with Sea Patrol, the revival of All Saints and McLeod’s Daughter’s, Seven and Nine must be commended on their investment into one of our greatest assets, Australian drama.
When you read tonight’s ratings, City Homicide will be the most popular show of the night attracting at least two million viewers. Let’s hope we have many seasons of this newest Aussie drama.
