I wonder if Robbie Coltrane has the human capacity for failure? If he does, it’s never been evident on-screen, and his performance for ITV’s Murderland last night was no exception.

Although playing a detective rather than the wily I-can-read-your-thoughts psychologist he was in Cracker, in David Pirie’s Murderland, it’s somewhat inevitable that Robbie’s familiar Scottish brogue and the elements of Fitz’s anti-establishmentarianism would traverse to this new role, but it was no detriment to the part at all.

Coltrane’s role as DI Hain was utterly credible, and his empathy for the victim of the murder he was investigating was almost palpable. As was the depth of feeling he had towards the victim’s daughter, vividly portrayed – as the younger version of Carrie – by Bel Powley. She’s obviously a very talented young woman and I’m sure we’ll be seeing a great deal more of her in future. Read more & comment »

Written by acclaimed writer David Pirie (Murder Rooms, Woman in White), Murderland is an emotional and passionate thriller that tells a traumatic murder story through the eyes of three central characters: Carrie, the daughter of the murdered woman, Hain (Robbie Coltrane), the detective in charge of the investigation and Sally, the murder victim.

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