Scene on Screen - If you love foreign crime thrillers

I've got my weekend's viewing sorted.  Series 4 of Spiral (Engrenages), the French TV show about the justicial system in France.    If you think the Killing and the Bridge had flawed characters, you'll love this line up.

The plots are hard hitting and the action brutal.  Co-written by a real French cop, the line of questioning is accurate.  If they rough up a suspect or harass a teenager, it’s because the world is like that.  It’s all about the confession – you have to make them talk.  

Police Captain Laure Berthaud  is devoted to her work and her team and does anything to protect them although her methods are sometimes borderline.  Outside of work, her private life is a mess.

Gilou is her side-kick with an even more dodgy background having had a drug problem in the past.

The legal cast include Pierre Clement  who has strong morals that conflict with many of the political and more powerful players in the system.

In contrast Josephine Karlsson appears to have no such morals and will do anything to get ahead and make money.  Clever, attractive and cynical, she thrives on danger and thinks nothing of double crossing someone.  As a result, she has put herself at considerable risk as a result. 

The judge, Francois Roban is older, wiser and hardworking.  He appears cold and aloof, but it is his detached approach that ensures justice is meted out.