Bloodlands

:

Season 1
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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Critic Reviews

  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Mar 11, 2021
    90
    Enthralling series. ... Mr. Brandon’s storyline is that rare thing, an absolute shocker, with a plausible sense of Belfast and its current political atmosphere. The filmmakers are blessed by having Mr. Nesbitt as their lead.
  2. Radio Times
    Reviewed by: Lauren Morris
    Dec 2, 2021
    80
    Bloodlands is a detective drama with ever-changing pace, excellent performances from its stellar cast, scenic Belfast backdrops and a multi-layered plot that’ll leave you counting down the days until the next episode airs.
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Mar 15, 2021
    80
    What Brannick digs up is beyond disturbing, leading to a killer twist at the four-part mystery's midpoint that make you question everything. [15-28 Mar 2021, p.11]
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  5. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Feb 22, 2021
    80
    Bloodlands is shaping up to be a fine addition to the growing genre of Irish noir, which draws power from its concentration on place as well as plot. And it stands as an enjoyably dense and astute thriller (with enough black humour threaded through to let it breathe) in its own right.
  6. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Ed Cumming
    Feb 22, 2021
    80
    [Nesbitt] gives Brannick an anguished, unforced humanity, a decent man driven to distraction. ... After a slightly sluggish opening in which we meet Brannick’s daughter Izzy (Lola Petticrew), a medical student at Queen’s in Belfast, and her teacher Tori (Lisa Dwan), Bloodlands soon hits its stride.
  7. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Mar 15, 2021
    70
    Bloodlands is a solid drama that moves through its story efficiently without a lot of fuss. And that’s a pretty welcome thing these days.
  8. Paste Magazine
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Mar 15, 2021
    66
    Bloodlands is ultimately a serviceable crime drama with an interesting and complicated story to tell, but unfortunately it’s too focused on plotting to make us care deeply about the characters involved.
  9. i
    Reviewed by: Gwendolyn Smith
    Dec 3, 2021
    60
    Bloodlands may be no match for the twisty intricacy of Line of Duty, but it was propulsive enough to fill the police precedural hole in my life while we wait for that to air.
  10. The Times
    Reviewed by: Carol Midgley
    Feb 22, 2021
    60
    OK, it's not Line of Duty, nowhere near, but it gets extra oomph from Lorcan Cranitch, who put in some excellent swearing as the police-boss-with-something-to-hide, and Charlene McKenna as Tom's sidekick.