# McDonald & Dodds (2020)

> Two mismatched British detectives, DCI McDonald and DS Dodds, forge a rumbustious friendship while solving murders together.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/84004

## Facts

- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 11
- Episode runtime: 90 min
- Status: Canceled
- Genres: crime, mystery, comedy, drama
- Created by: Robert Murphy
- Network: ITV1
- Cast: Tala Gouveia, Jason Watkins, Claire Skinner, Pearl Chanda, Lily Sacofsky, Jack Riddiford, Danyal Ismail, Charlie Chambers
- TMDB rating: 7.6/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10720914/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: witty, warm, comic, intricate, cozy

## What critics say

Viewers broadly rate the series positively, praising the mismatched detective pairing and intricate mysteries while finding the opening episode somewhat clunky.

## Synopsis

McDonald & Dodds (2020-2024) is a British crime mystery series created by Robert Murphy for ITV1. Tala Gouveia plays DCI McDonald and Jason Watkins plays DS Dodds, two detectives who seem to have nothing in common yet are thrown together and gradually forge a rumbustious friendship and an entertaining partnership. Chief Superintendent Mary Ormond (Claire Skinner) oversees their work, and a changing roster of detective constables supports their investigations. The engine of the show is the murder case itself: each feature-length ninety-minute episode builds an intricate puzzle that the pair must untangle while their clashing temperaments and quirks slowly become a source of strength. The series spans four seasons across eleven episodes, following one continuing partnership rather than standalone cases. Its tone balances sharp crime plotting with warm, witty banter and character comedy, so viewers get both the satisfaction of a well-built mystery and the pleasure of watching two opposites click. Set in contemporary England, it has the cozy, character-driven feel of British detective television. Fans of Vera, Shetland and Hinterland will find resonance in its blend of regional-feeling police work and odd couple warmth.

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