User Reviews

I made the mistake of reading some bad reviews and almost didn't watch this. It's way better than average and how anyone can give it only one star is beyond me. It was produced by Jed Mercurio the creator of Line of Duty so it was a cut above. The plot is unusual in that it involves finance and the hiding of illicit profits. It is well written, well acted, well directed and has great pace. What's not to like? Morven Christie, Peter Mullen and Derek Riddell are good as always and it's great to see Steven Mackintosh on our screens again. DC Kahn played by Prasanna Puwanarajah is an interesting conflicted character. Well worth a watch. My only quibble was Lexie being in tears the whole time.

I thought that the first episode was a bit slow and had too many plot holes although, as I am not going to write "spoilers", I won't list these. But they did reduce my final rating from 9 ot 8.

However, having now watched all the remaining 5 episodes, it does get better as it goes along - with fewer plot holes - and finishes with a good last episode, with no open ending laying the ground for another series.

I thought that all the actors playing the main characters did well, and there were few weaknesses. I also liked the writing and direction and, unlike so many crime series these days, didn't rely any chases between the "goodies and baddies" to bolster the plot.

This series is well worth four hours of your time.

Watched 3 of 6 episodes from streaming on ITVX. Stong performances from near all leading cast members.

Plenty of twists & turns. Characters have enough depth to enable the viewer to care about what happenss.

I like a decent Crime Drama but dislike those which are weak.. Only half way through my binge viewiing..... So far this has been compelling enough to keep me wanting more.

A few layers to this. Not high octane so far but has pace & the storyline has kept me engaged.

Fans of crime dramas can be quite demanding .....myself included.

I am mindful I have not given anything away (no spoilers). Better than many household name crime dramas I have seen.

Give it a go !

An apparently happily married-with-children male accountant is ruthlessly stabbed to death by a bunch of young thugs one Edinburgh morning while his wife looks on aghast nearby. Apparently he was the bookkeeper of a heavyweight gangster Peter Mullan who's managed to live very comfortably on his ill-gotten gains just outside the reach of the law.

However the gangster it seems was just about to break cover with the purchase of a small, populated island in the Outer Hebrides, only it seems that before he inconveniently got killed, the accountant scuppered the transaction with 28 million unaccounted for. Mullan still wants his island, for a very good reason which will become clear later, so he goes after the dead man's widow, Morven Christie, also an accountant and co-partner in the family firm, using every dirty trick in the book short of physical violence to coerce her into tracking down and retrieving his money.

He allocates his short-tempered young nephew to be her minder but even as she's reluctantly forced to turn forensic detective for this sinister criminal, she's also the focal point of two separate police investigations, the first rather improbably trying to fit her up for organising her husband's death and the other seeking to use her as a mole to bring down Mullan and his empire from the inside.

I did find it a bit difficult to follow the paper trail to the missing millions with its surreptitious accounting practices and obscure terminologies and of course the plot itself was far-fetched in the extreme with a number of contrived cliff-hanging situations and unlikely plot developments but somehow by the end the Gordian knot was duly untangled, just desserts duly administered and there was even a happy ending of sorts for Christie, her family and that Edinburgh essential, the foreign family nanny, that's if you consider going into the witness protection programme a good thing.

As a Scot, I enjoyed the familiar Edinburgh settings and the acting of the principals, Christie and Mullan plus it was nice to see Steven Mackintosh back on the small screen as Mullan's financial fixer although some of the support acting was rather mixed in quality.

Nevertheless, my wife and I enjoyed this roller-coaster six-part series and can think of worse ways to spend the cold dark winter nights than watching this.

This really is a great mystery/thriller series. Top realistic performances from the cast especially Morven Christie and Derek Riddell was just like a driven but honest senior cop..

They also got the police scenes right = None of that business of D. C.s calling their guv'nors by first name or kicking off with the higher ranks for 'dramatic' effect as we saw in Line of Duty...well done. More from the writer of this series please! Also having two super actors in the form of Steven Mackintosh and Peter Mullen really adds a great 'heft' to their various scenes.

Morven Christie's performance was so skilful, she must have been exhausted. A character under huge stress throughout and yet never puts a foot wrong..a great naturalistic performance. It was so rare in thriller/dramas where the central character doesn't have a trusty sidekick or friend with specials skills...she's all alone.

When affluent Lexi Noble's husband is murdered, she apparently discovers he was involved with organised crime, cheating his bosses, and possibily having an affair. The criminals demand her cooperation in trying to retreive the money he has stolen; the police also seek to use her for their advantage; and for us, the viewer, there's also the possibility that Lexi herself is not as pure as she makes out. It's an intriguing setup, and there's much to enjoy in this twisty drama, with Peter Mullan commanding the screen as the number one villain. However, the plot is arguably just a little too cute, and the relevations of the denoument were not those I was hoping for. Throughout, the way the story is presented tells you to trust no-one, which maintains the sense of mystery, but also reduces the extent to which you can emphathise with any of the characters.

Nuanced characters and situations in a morality play that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We all try to set up our lives with the best job, place to live and the right car... Kids schools, friends and everything. Even so, it is ultimately a fragile façade that can be shattered in a moment. Especially if the chances you've taken along the way start to add up against you. Everyone is forced to make choices in a dynamically changing world full of others who have their own perspectives and plans. Which character are you?

I like everything about this show and am hoping for more from this terrific team at the top of their game.

This show had me gripped from the first episode despite some really strange story constructions.

I'll get to those, but first I have to say the ending was incredibly unsatisfying. Almost all of the loose ends were left loose. As a whole, the series didn't make sense.

There was a police mole who really didn't have any influence on anything.

Why did Jarred do what he did?

How did the container fit in?

Perhaps the biggest question, which we knew was never going to be resolved, was why did Morris have to rely on a pretty ordinary suburban accountant to devise such brilliant schemes. He could have got anyone to do that. In fact, as it turned out, he almost didn't need her at all.

The DCI breaking all the rules and acting without any evidence of ethics gets away with it.

The financial forensic investigator seems to have a strong conscience but he has no impact on solving the crime.

Morven Christie was brilliant and her acting probably saved the show.

Overall, I'd say it was worth watching, but don't expect to understand the plot when you get to the end.

If you're looking for an excellent mystery binge watch, I highly recommend this series. The mystery starts right away and builds to the end.

Morven Christie is always likeable, even more so in this role. Her life is flipped upside down and she's left trying to make sense of the who and why. She is thrown into a world she knew nothing about and used her resilience and determination to power through.

Peter Mullan is fantastic as a powerful, dangerous man. I'm used to seeing Julie Graham play strong yet sensitive characters and she does a great job as a crime lord's wife.

I'd never seen Prassana Puwanarajah before and was captivated by how well he portrayed a DC who was a mix of empathetic and intense. I'll be watching for him in other roles!

So far I'm loving this show. Anything with Peter Mullen in it, let's face it, is going to be good - he's a stunningly versatile and natural actor. As it is Morven Christie as she discovers her beloved husband was one big secret.. and she's totally caught up in it now. The wee girl who plays the young daughter Esme is a very natural actor, and has a great future ahead of her.

Gripping thriller, great storyline, wonderful cast and fabulous scenes in Glasgow and Edinburgh showing some beautiful buildings. Can't wait to see how it unravels.. and who knew "Richard Cawwood" Happy Valley - was a Glaswegian!

Let's start with the good. I'm not one of those people who are always looking for the next big innovative thing. This is a story of a woman whose husband is murdered and is left with a whole bunch of problems because of things that he did that she didn't know about. Not the first time a story like this was done but it's still interesting enough so I decided to give it a chance. First I'd say that the acting is excellent! Everyone is playing their part really great. Second, the story itself is unfolding in a descent pace. Not too fast but not too slow either. I always prefer a faster pace but as long as it's not too slow, it's ok. The production value is good too and again, six episodes aren't too much for this kind of a story. I make this point because I really don't like it that some shows are dragged out on on just to get more episodes. It's not like that in this show. So know that if you're looking for a fast paced action, this isn't it. It's a good paced thriller/drama.

Now to the bad part, while the ending is not terrible. Personally, I wasn't impressed. I really hate loose ends and there are several questions that aren't really answered (I'll write a more detailed review for the last episode). I just wasn't satisfied with the way the last episode unfolded. Too much of it didn't feel right to me. I can't say much more without spoiling it but because I found the show to be mostly very good I was hoping for a more satisfying ending.

There's some great actors in the mix, Morvern Christie as the lead is supported by Peter Mullan - but they aren't enough to save this one. Its formulaic and handicapped by a script full of wild improbabilities, clunky dialogue and obvious exposition.

The police procedural element were often incorrect and unbelievable. The British police who struggle to arrest a shoplifter have laser insight here and move at lightning pace... The baddies were all cliches.

Production values were average, there were some strangely directed scenes and the score was weak.

For me a big miss. America does this kind of show so much better, treat yourself and watch Ozark instead.

Excellent crime drama from ITV set in Edinburgh. Lexi Noble, played by Morven Christie, loses her husband in a street stabbing by a group of young thugs. It turns out he was the accountant for a major crime lord, Cal Morris, played by Peter Mullen ably assisted by Malky Roberts played by Steven Mackintosh and was completely ripping him off. Lexi is unaware of this until she is approached by Cal who is demanding to know where his money is. Under threat of harm to her two kids she is forced to use her own accountancy skills to track the money through a web of fake companies and foreign bank accounts. It was well acted and a very entertaining ride. ITV have produced plenty of rubbish recently but this was definitely a good offering. Highly recommended.

Well what to say--- lets think about this story having been cooped from other stories and pasted together with a fav of mine Morven,....the agenda to hvae strong women leads is so blatantly evident that it is laughable in this story and distracts for anyone watching and paying attention to the narrative - don't mis read this as misogynistic. - i am all for equal things and woman are strong have many such in my life - but this show is different in that it ( bare in mind i am only on episode 3 one more than i would have normally gone after such an attempt) it has a woman being tested ( honest one as so far presented ) and then the other leads chasing and basically being in competent in their duty - on purpose - a red herring -= who knows - no spoilers and I will probably finish but it reminds me of Veronica mars Season 3 and the equally laughable journalist character that hates men in a wonderfully. Comic manner ....

Payback is a really good series. I was so intrigued by this show I binge watched the last three episodes in one night. It's so interesting you can't wait to see the next episode. Not a show you'll want to miss.

Very good acting and a plot with lots of twists and turns. You have no idea where the story is going to take you next and the ending is not what you would have imagined at the beginning/start of the show.

My only complaints are with the wardrobe for the main female character (drab and monotonous are the best descriptions) and her reaction to what the police tell her at the police station in one of the first 2 episodes. It just wasn't realistic. Other than that this is a great show.

Only the women are sympathetic and the minorities are the "goodies". This trope is getting monotonous and makes every show predictable.

There must be lots of black and minority actors who want to play the baddie at least occasionally. Look did there need to be balance? Yes! Damn right there needed to be. But does it now have to be so automatic that the white guys are always evil, hiding dark secrets whilst any minority is an icon of perfection?

We don't even get flawed black or minority heroes so the character depth for the actors is restricted. Andi Osho is terrific as DI Joan Royce for the limited time she's on screen. The brilliant IT hacker dude is,.... Let's guess, Indian. Sigh.

But I enjoyed it very much. Morvan Christie is superb as Lexie Noble, credible, and with a depth and range that makes us wonder if she is actually involved or just disintegrating.

Tropes aside I liked it very much.

Having stumbled across this Scottish drama by accident i was hooked after the first episode and managed them all in 2 days.

The acting was fantastic as was the story and betrayal. Best thing to come out of Edinburgh since Trainspotting. The lead role played by Morven Christie was impressive. As my first time seeing her on screen i sure become a fan and will be watch more from her.

As a long time Peter Mullen fan he executed the role perfectly. I didn't expect anything less.

I don't really understand what others expected with the low scores as this was an outstanding binge worthy series that is up there with the best of dramas. You must give it a chance.

The story is riddled with inconsistencies and plot holes that sometimes disrupt the viewing experience. There were stretches where the film felt sluggish and disjointed, creating a break in the suspense that cop shows heavily rely upon.

An in-depth look at Morven Christie's performance is essential. Christie, who has given a spectacular performance in the hit show "The Bay," seems to have brought a different energy here. While her acting in "The Bay" was undoubtedly a 10/10, here she seems confined, especially with her character, Lexie, who is primarily seen in tears. This frequent emotional outburst feels more like a narrative crutch than an actual character arc, and fans of Christie from "The Bay" might find it hard to reconcile with this portrayal. Her departure from "The Bay" disappointed many fans, and the expectation was high for her subsequent roles.

In conclusion, Payback might be worth a watch for its unusual plot and commendable performances but do not go in expecting a masterpiece. It's OK, but it pales compared to other classics in the genre, particularly when juxtaposed against the brilliance of shows like "The Bay."

The acting is great. We expect that. Peter Mullan as antagonist is so memorable you might never again enter an ALL THINGS SCOTTISH shop for the rest of your life. But the script is incredible, a work of art. The viewer is mesmerized by the shifting landscape. We go from murder mystery, to missing money, to intimidation, and around again in a loop. You initially become protective of the wife LEXI as she deals with a situation that seems to have no solution. But by the end of the series you envy her for her cleverness. The cop who acts as Lexi's "guardian angel" is also a nice touch. Very satisfying series, under-rated. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

While I loved this show and most of the actors in it. The lead character had basically 2 , yes 2 clothing changes in all that time. She wore the same coat, the same shoes, pants and except for the sweaters (2) it seems, never changed over all the time she was involved.

Great settings overall . Lots of drama and the way the lead character is on her own without help is truly amazing. Quick thinking and survival skills for someone who is just an accountant.

The weak link in the whole series is the police. Terribly miscast people, or just not enough emoting, but not believable for me.

How she manages to meet the police without the bad guys finding out when they pretty much have her followed constantly was a bit unsettling for me.

Anyway, the show certainly didn't spend much on costuming. That's what I came to say.

My Review- Payback

Streaming on BritBox My Ratjng 8/10

I've become a real fan of Scottish and Irish movie and television productions.

I really enjoyed the pace of this crime fiction thriller and the fact that the pivotal character was a woman.

Lexie Noble played by very convincingly by Morven Christie becomes a widow unexpectedly when husband Jared is brutally slain in an Edinburgh Street.

When more details emerge Lexie not only becomes a chief suspect she also becomes entangled in a police operation to topple a notorious crime lord, Cal Morris.

Cal Morris is played by Peter Mullan who gives a menacing and convincing performance as a ruthless crime boss who will go to any length to wreak revenge and protect his ill gotten fortune .

It becomes obvious that Lexie's husband was heavily involved in laundering millions of pounds causing Lexie to become the object of Cal Morris's suspicion and revenge.

Frantic for the safety of her two young children Lexie seeks witness protection however as a murder suspect she is denied safety and abandoned by the police .

So she must tread a fine line between assisting Col Morris find his lost millions knowing she's dead if he finds out that she is also assisting DCI Adam Guthrie ( Derek Riddell ) build evidence to convict Morris.

There were some improbable plot lines but it's a well written series by Debbie O'Malley and justice. Produced by Jed Mercurio's HTM Television as one reviewer wrote It's not going to set the world on fire or go down in television history, but it is one of those dramas that offers the inordinate pleasure of watching quality, understated actors do their quality understated work, without a weak link among them.

I watched this primarily as I love Morven Christie's work after seeing her in The Bay. Well it blew me away. The script is fantastic with original twists and turns with none of it predictable as can be the case with some crime thrillers. Congrats to the script writer/s.

Then there is the casting and acting, again a triumph. Morven was absolutely outstanding and is now my favorite actor. Stunning. When I saw Stephen Macintosh was in the cast I was concerned as he works so often its sometimes hard to get into his character, but he nailed it with one of his very best performances.

The entire cast was excellent and that has to be due to the great direction.

All I can say is watch this series, it is a 10 in every way.

Was looking forward to this, the cast looked good and i particularly like Morven Christie and Peter Mullan, however i was left disappointed. There were more holes in the plot than a string vest and although some acting was good, some of it was dire, the police in particular never convinced and most were miscast to be honest.

I don't think that there was any originality in the six episodes and Morven Christie appeared to sleep walk through it, although to be fair to her the script was rather poor with little real believable suspense. It will not live long in the memory but could have been a lot better, all a bit of a waste to be honest.