London crime drama set against "dark underside" of 'beautiful Chelsea area' now on Channel 4

The Chelsea Detective, starring Adrian Scarborough and Sonita Henry, is now streaming on Channel 4. The crime drama premiered on Acorn TV in February 2022 and follows Detective Inspector Max Arnold and DS Priya Shamsie as they investigate murders in London’s Chelsea borough.

Created by Peter Fincham, the series is set against the backdrop of one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods.

The synopsis reads: "Crime drama set in London's wealthy and beautiful Chelsea neighbourhood, where DI Max Arnold and his partner navigate a dark underside of deception, violence, greed and murder."

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Season four aired recently on U&Drama and all four seasons have now landed on Channel 4's streaming service.

Comprising four feature-length episodes, season four follows DI Arnold and his partner Layla Walsh, played by Vanessa Emme, as they "tackle four new murders within the elite world of Chelsea".

The show has been popular with audiences, with one fan on IMDb writing: "The show is gentle and very much steeped in the upper crust lifestyle of Chelsea but the plots are strong and the supporting cast of detectives, especially DS Priya Shamsie (Sonita Henry) in Season 1 and DS Lavia Walsh (Venessa Emma) in Seasons 2 and 3, are an excellent complement to DI Arnold's mildly eccentric persistence and witty dry humour."

"Adrian Scarborough is a revelation. I'm used to seeing him in comic buffoonish roles. He plays it serious here with his cycling, piano playing, dyslexic detective and does it well," wrote another.

A third fan said: "Sometimes I'm not wanting different or radical. Sometimes I want easy and familiar and just watchable. This is it, familiar places with just a touch of humour."

"Wonderful well-rounded characters, especially for a first season show. I want more. I certainly hope it's renewed and they keep up the quality writing and acting. I just find it so enjoyable. Not too dark. Quirky & coupled with a good storyline," penned another.

The Chelsea Detective seasons 1 to 4 are now streaming on Channel 4.

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A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre. 

In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.