User reviews

Just to strike some balance against the review titled 'total trash'. (Written by someone in the US two days before the UK show premiered in the UK??)

It's not 'shocktainment.' I have no idea which scene that's supposed to relate to, if any. The only body you see is on a mortuary slab: just the face, rest beneath a sheet. There is a mildly gross X-ray image in the background, relating to an, er, unusual car crash. You might not like the humour, but it is included AS humour.

If he/she means the 'splat' moment at the start, it only lasts a second and you don't see anything, really. It's no worse than any of the deaths in Midsomer Murders, and no one compares those to torture TV.

It's a black comedy. And if some of the humour seems, as another reviewer says, to 'belong in the playground,' well, the clue is in the title of the series. People say 'no offence' when they are about to say something awful. It's meant to be outrageous in places.

It parodies the standard police drama, while still being one. Turns a few clichés on their heads. And adds some realism: a heroine jumping in a city river to save someone probably does need antibiotics more than a medal afterwards.

Can't wait to see where it goes from here.

I get REALLY cross when people who have a regular sense of humour watch sardonic humour and get all bent out of shape. If you do not understand original British humour, turn it OFF! No one is making you watch it! Right. The show itself is like a fly on the wall drama, much like Happy Valley. It contains the same bitching, moaning and competitiveness that is in the real world. It also shows how relationships and friendships in the workplace grow and how you come to rely on all sorts of people you come into contact with. The storyline is actually quiet dark and gripping thrown in with some absolutely CLASSIC humour such as the cleaners on the phones with their feet up! I can just imagine that happening in darkened offices everywhere! I love it and hope the show continues in exactly the same vein. The characters remind me of people I actually know, because they are real not some shiny gorgeous eye candy who cannot act. Keep them coming folks 😀

We love this series and we both have a uniform background.

I have laughed out loud and grimaced at some scenes that I saw in real life.

It is one of the best police series I have seen. The angst of getting it wrong,the relationships forged in extreme circumstances, the black humour and how the job takes over your life. Elaine Cassidy is superbly cast. Yes there are 'playground moments' others have reviewed, but that is sometimes the only way you can deal with the worst aspects of human nature and stay sane.

Love it and hope it has another series.

I've read the previous reviews, one stands out. So I'm making my stand, on my opinion of the show. From the first episode, I have not only watched the story progress, due to the camera work, the actors and, for me, a totally new feel to a cop show. The character development hasn't felt forced, it seems to have evolved with the main story, leaving questions at every turn. I would suggest, which I have, to anyone who likes a clever plot and very likable cast to give their 'once over'. Again I must mention the acting, after seeing Elaine Cassidy in Paradise I had just the one image of her, and I took her for her character. Boy does she shine in this show. Alexandra Roach playing the 'by default' boss is truly awesome. This show is a joy to watch, and a pleasure to suggest. Happy Viewing :)

I have noticed a couple of bad reviews for this show but, all I have to say in response to these is, take a look for yourself. No, it may not be to everyone's taste but, tell me something that is? Personally, I love it! I've now watched the first 3 episodes aired on C4 and the kind of 'gallows humour' contained therein really is appealing to anyone who works in an industry that is, oftentimes, so dire and dreadful that humour is the only coping mechanism left open to you. But, that said, as my title implies, this show has been created for ENTERTAINMENT purposes only! If you aren't entertained, then watch something else, it's that simple. However, that said, I would like to point out that not everyone was initially impressed with Paul Abbot's other creation, Shameless, and now look what's happened there! A great deal of the population are being entertained by that one, from OAP's to indolent teens, it's a winner across the board without doubt. If these two shows are examples of what Mr Abbot is capable of then I say "create away Paul, you damn genius!" I would like to point out here that yes, I am a child from a school playground put into an adult's body, as are we all, and anyone so full of their own self importance to say they are not, needs to take the stick from out their a**e! Tee hee! Puerile enough for you? ;-)

I dispute the IMDb tagline, "Follows a group of police officers on the front line wondering what they did to end up where they are now, on the ugly side of Manchester." This seems written offhand by someone not in the know who didn't actually watch the series. One of the most distinguishing features of this fictional police unit is its being led by an intelligent, funny, high-spirited woman who is confident, with reason, and doesn't conform to the image stereotype of women on TV. She doesn't care about her body type and doesn't care about anyone who does. The bonding among the female and the male members in the unit is more convincing and appealing than in other police dramas I've watched. The humour is just plain fun. I've been thoroughly entertained watching the first 3 series on Acorn TV here in Canada and I really hope there'll be a 4th series.

This took me by surprise. I didn't expect any of this. I thought it was a conventional detective, procedural series. And I was very delightfully impressed. The storyline is original, gritty, very well developed in terms of thriller and crime situations. The humor is really great, twisted but really refreshing. But the best of it, the characters! A very welcome show!

No Offence from Paul Abbott was promoted as some kind of left-field black comedy by Channel 4 if the trailers were anything to go by. I gave it a miss and it was only because of some buzz on a few internet websites I decided to give the first episode a try. It came across as Scott & Bailey with gallows humour and decided my wife would enjoy this. Well she likes Scott & Bailey.

We binged watch this over several nights. DI Deering (Joanna Scanlan) is the no nonsense chief in a Manchester precinct which is investigating the death of girls suffering from Downs Syndrome. She likes to have conferences with other female cops in the ladies toilet. There is a strong element of female camaraderie in the series. Each episode has a story of the week as well as the main plot being progressed.

No Offence moves along at a brisk pace and with plenty of black humour. I felt the individual weekly stories to be on the weak side. The main arc did have elements of Broadchurch though if you followed the plot hints being dropped as it went along. I thought we might have a curve ball thrown at us but it looks like I did correctly guess the culprit.

An enjoyable show but the individual stories needs to be stronger when the series returns. Also I felt that some of the actors were trying too hard with their Mancunian accents, at times they were incomprehensible. I assume the actors were not from Lancashire.

It is just a shame that Channel 4 mis-marketed this show.

It's dark comedy, and I find it amusing. It's not supposed to be overly serious and factual, just entertaining (although there are some serious parts that I also find well done). A lot of people seem to be over-thinking it. One reviewer likened it to the car crash channel, shocktainment and carried on about mangled bodies; they have apparently confused this with some other show, because I didn't see anything like that. Nothing even close to the violence and gore on say "Criminal Minds" or even the beloved "NCIS". I take offence at the reviewer who said "only childish adults who never left the playground" would find it funny. Lighten up people, this isn't Shakespeare, it's a TV show, and not everyone's cup of tea. Criticize the show but you don't need to slam everyone who enjoys it; just makes you sound sanctimonious and arrogant. I hope the show continues, and I personally will continue to enjoy it.

In each series the story builds to a satisfying end. People die, there is violence and bad language, at times it's like watching a comedy, but overall this is an entertaining show, soooo English, funny and keeps you interested, I hope they make more.

And dark for sure. One poster said that they didn't know quite what the show had and I couldn't agree more!! There have been some cringe-worthy moments and some laugh at loud funny moments. I have decided that I really like this show! And having to think about it for a bit kind of says how novel the show is. I have the final episode of season 2 to watch. I am going to miss coming back to this show.

Brilliant series really enjoyed we need more UK TV Series like this absolutely fab cast all characters are well played love them all I watch every single episode could not stop shame there all series 1-3 Bring it on more please If you not watch please do it has some brilliant twist to great. More please

I was heartbroken when I got to the end of season 3 and found out that this show has been canceled. I was hooked from the first episode. Incredible strong female roles. It's interesting, hilarious, and fun! They need to bring this show back someday soon!

One of the best cop shows, comedy-wise. Great portrayals of strong female officers along with witty comebacks. Wish there were more episodes. If you take offense at off-color jokes - stay away. You are too weak to handle this!

Love this show !!! I can't wait for season 4!! well written ..great actors and actresses ..British television is so wonderful !!!

..you know really tried hard to stick with it, but episode after episode try as you might the dialogue it is just so difficult to follow, it just becomes too frustrating.. so many programs don't have half the acting talent and script writing prowess of this great show, and all that makes it just that much more frustrating.. would have to believe that all involved know, and they just believe, well, it's just part of the natural reality of the programming.. maybe at some point someday someone will decide to add subtitles.. it might seem strange for what is supposed to be an English language production, but there would be a large bunch of potential avid fans that would be sooo appreciative if that were to happen.

No fault to be found with this series. However, I suggest you may want to watch it with subtitles, if you are at all challenged by the British accent.

I LOVE this series. So happy I found it. Watching Season Three now and I know I will be bereft when there are no further episodes for me to view.

The main cast is terrific, The supporting case is wonderful. The "guest" stars are awesome. Each crime showcased is unusual, captivating. Highly believable, intriguing. You'll be on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next, There are moments that will make you cry like a baby. Next thing you know, you'll be laughing your ass off. You will fall in love with these people, guaranteed.

Highly recommend.

Bad luck on my part as I rewatched Utopia a week ago, a few Utopian actors in this stellar cast so struggling to keep focussed. Third well deserved series, when channel 4's on form it's great.