The Suspect, now streaming on Lionsgate Play, opens with a classic crime thriller premise: a well-respected man suddenly finds himself at the center of a murder investigation. Aidan Turner plays Dr. Joseph O’Loughlin, a clinical psychologist with a recent Parkinson’s diagnosis. His life seems perfect—successful career, loving family—until he’s called in to consult on a brutal murder… and hides the fact that he knew the victim.
When the hero becomes the question mark
Joseph isn’t your typical murder mystery lead—he’s flawed, secretive, and possibly dangerous. As detectives Ruiz (Shaun Parkes) and Devi (Anjli Mohindra) dig deeper, Joseph’s calm exterior begins to crack. The show uses this uncertainty to its advantage in the first few episodes, forcing the audience to second-guess everything they thought they knew.
Strong performance, weak structure
Aidan Turner delivers a compelling performance, balancing charm and ambiguity well. But the writing doesn’t give him enough space to truly develop. His family life, meant to serve as an emotional anchor, feels underexplored. The story instead leans into twists and side characters—like his patient Bobby or colleague Dr. Fenwick (played by Sian Clifford)—that don’t add much weight.
More style than substance
Visually, The Suspect is slick and stylish. But beneath the glossy surface, the show avoids deeper emotional exploration. Themes like guilt, grief, and moral complexity are hinted at but never fully unpacked. As the plot becomes more tangled, the emotional core gets lost in the noise.
A decent mystery, but not unforgettable
The Suspect is a watchable and occasionally tense thriller with some solid performances. However, it doesn’t break new ground in the genre. While it’s fun to play detective for a while, the show never quite earns the emotional payoff it teases.
