‘Life changes. It’s how you adapt that matters’.
Wise words from Siobhan O’Hare as she reacted to a number of big changes in the opening of episode of Hope Street’s new series.
But while the local GP was referring to the fictional events in Port Devine between this series and the last, it’s a sentiment that I feel perfectly sums up the new season of the BBC NI series.
It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s all change this year.
From the departure of key faces to the introduction of a bunch of new cast members, plus an expanded police station set, series four feels less like a follow up and more like a reboot.
The serial drama’s charm and attraction, as anyone who has tuned in over the last three years will know, lies in its wonderful characters and the relationships that they share. That soap-like quality of community.
For me, this is the most important thing – even more so than the crimefighting – and it is ultimately what keeps me coming back for more year in and year out.
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The thought of any significant changes or alterations to that formula was something I was sceptical about at first, especially considering how much I enjoyed the third season, which saw the BBC series realise its true potential.
But in order to survive you must learn to adapt and grow and, let’s face it, change has always been a crucial component of Hope Street’s DNA. Just look at how well its introduced its new detectives over the years.
Bosses’ unwillingness to allow the series to get stale is what ultimately makes it a compelling watch year after year and you really have to commend them for not resting on their laurels. At the end of the day, change is always a risk and the calibre of changes this season could certainly have backfired.
But, spoiler alert: they didn’t.
I don’t really know how to describe it but there is something electric about the fourth series, pretty much from the get-go. In my review of series three, I mentioned how the show had finally achieved its true potential, feeling less like an experiment and more like a TV titan, operating at maximum power.
Despite all the cast changes, that level of confidence is not only still there, it’s more present than ever. It’s like the show knows exactly what it is now and what it’s capable of and, as a result, it doesn’t falter once.
The plots are, much like last year, more mature than before and of a much higher quality in comparison to earlier seasons, and everything feels fresh and exciting. Having said that, it still inherently feels like Hope Street. All those things I mentioned earlier about what made the show so great are still there.
If anything, it’s the opposite.
It really is a seamless transition.
And commits it most certainly does.
Hope Street knows exactly what is is now and that’s just so wonderful to see. I did worry that it couldn’t match up to the heights of series three but it somehow manages to exceed them this year, with a blend of old and new – coupled with stronger stories and focus on all the right characters – making this season its best yet.
More please!
Hope Street returns Friday November 1 at 2pm on BBC One or stream the whole series now on BBC iPlayer.
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