TBT: The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher (2011-14)

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher (2011-14) is loosely based on real-life investigator Jack Whicher who famously worked on the Constance Kent case in 1860, the subject of which formed the book by Kate Summerscale’s book, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher or The Murder at Road Hill House and which is the basis of the first episode of the four-episode limited series.

When I sat down to watch the first episode, I didn’t expect to get sucked in and start binge watching all four episodes, but that’s what ended up happening. It’s actually a pretty good murder mystery series, starring Paddy Considine as Mr. Whicher, and a host of recognizable faces from Peter Capaldi to Olivia Colman appearing in various support roles throughout the episodes. That said, there’s not a ton of costume content for a period flick, with a handful of notable exceptions. Lucinda Wright (who coincidentally, and perhaps confusingly, designed the costumes in The Witcher) designed the costumes for the first three episodes, with Lindsay Pugh (Endeavour) designing the last episode. And when I say there’s not a lot of costume content, that’s not to say that what is there isn’t good … in fact, it’s very good. It’s just a lot of Victorian men and middle-class women, so nothing to go crazy over.

The series starts in 1860, with the case of a murdered 4-year-old boy and his sister’s trial for his murder, so that sets the date range. By the end of the first episode, it’s skipped ahead to 1865, and while the rest of the episodes are undated, they likely fall within 1865-70. So we’re talking hoop skirts and the very beginning of the bustle era.

Have you watched The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher (2011-2014)? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!