Last Updated on April 22, 2026
Nothing makes me happier than seeing a new crime drama hit the airwaves. You would think that by now, creators would have run out of ideas, but nope, they keep coming.
So, I was delighted when Patience dropped,d and even better was that, because I have the Channel 4 app on my TV, all six episodes were available!
They’re not wrong about the power of social media because I only stumbled across it when I saw Mark Benton (Shakespeare and Hathaway) post about it on Instagram.
I love him as an actor, so off I went, and suffice to say, the binge began.
For those of you who haven’t heard of it or are maybe still on the fence, here’s a quick recap…
Meet Patience Evans
The series centers on Patience Evans, a young autistic woman working in the York Police Criminal Records Office.
Patience has an extraordinary gift for spotting patterns and connections in criminal cases.
When Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf discovers Patience’s unique insight during an investigation of a suspicious death in a car park, she realises that this quiet archivist might be the key to solving some of York’s most perplexing crimes.
The show follows their developing partnership as Patience transitions from working behind the scenes to becoming an official Civilian Investigation Officer.
The series is based on the original French show Astrid Et Raphaelle.
And, while this drew some criticism on social media (to be fair, what doesn’t?!), so few of us would have watched that version that it really doesn’t diminish how good Patience is.
The Rest of the Team
Patience Evans (Ella Maisy Purvis) is an autistic woman who has hyperlexia, giving her an incredible auditory and visual memory.
This makes her exceptionally good at spotting patterns and connections between cases.
Living a quiet life with her godfather, Douglas, Patience was originally raised by her father, George, a police officer, after being abandoned by her mother.
Patience finds comfort in routine and structure, preferring the solitude of her archival work where she catalogs and files evidence from major cases.
DI Bea Metcalf, played by Laura Fraser, is a brilliant but unconventional detective with the Yorkshire Police who has the best clear-up rate in the county.
She is divorced and has a young son named Alfie, whom she worries about constantly and struggles to make time for due to her demanding work schedule.
She is also the first person to recognise Patience Evans’ unique talents and takes her under her wing, pushing to get her made into an official Civilian Investigative Officer.
DS Jake Hunter (Nathan Welsh) is a detective with York Police who works alongside DI Bea Metcalf.
Initially skeptical of Patience’s abilities, he has concerns about how she’ll cope with the harsh realities of detective work.
Calvin Baxter (Mark Benton) is the boss at York Police and oversees the team and assigns cases.
Benton approached the role by adding subtle comedic elements while maintaining the character’s authority.
DC Will Akbari (Ali Ariaie), handles the procedural work within the York Police department.
While his character plays a supporting role in the investigative team, he helps maintain the police procedural aspects of the cases.
He basically does the grunt work!
Worth a Watch?
I really enjoyed Patience and was delighted that I tuned in. I have never watched Astrid, so I went into this with fresh eyes.
It’s not completely unique and, in a lot of ways, reminded me of Professor T and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, insofar as all of the lead characters are on the spectrum and have extraordinary abilities to think outside of the box.
I thought that Ella Maisy Purvis gave a very authentic representation of neurodiversity. Given that she is a neurodivergent actor, she would know better than most if her character was a fair representation or not.
The connection between the lead actresses is charming and endearing, and who doesn’t mind watching a show that highlights the stunning historic architecture of York?
To top it all off, the show is based around complex and clever mysteries, one or two I had a good guess at.
I don’t have many criticisms but I know that some viewers were put off by how closely it mirrored the original French series.
But if that doesn’t bother you, then give it a go, and you won’t regret it.
Outside of the UK
I know that nothing is more frustrating than hearing about a brilliant new cozy crime drama and knowing it doesn’t air where you live.
However, the good news is that while UK viewers can watch it on Channel 4, American friends are not being left out of the loop.
PBS Distribution holds all North American rights for Patience, and the show will eventually air on PBS, stream on the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel, and be available on PBS branded platforms (including PBS.org and the PBS App).
There is currently no confirmed broadcast date for the US market,t but it will be there soon. I’ll keep you posted!
Where Was It Filmed?
Patience was primarily filmed across York in England, with filming locations that captured several iconic landmarks.
The Shambles: A medieval cobbled street that appears multiple times in the series, though typically filmed at 3-4 PM to avoid tourist crowds.
York Minster: The magnificent cathedral serves as a backdrop for several scene,s and it’s where Patience’s father used to take her when she was younger.
Clifford’s Tower (York Castle): This historic structure dating back to William the Conqueror’s time features prominently.
King’s Staith: A riverside street characteristic of York’s landscape.
Precentor’s Court: A narrow street near York Minster where Patience’s house exterior scenes were filmed.
Monk Bar: The tallest and most ornate of York’s medieval gates appears in the first episode.
The Grand Hotel: This luxury five-star hotel, built in 1906, doubles as the fictional Railway Hotel.
Interestingly, the City of York Police Station scenes were shot in a vacant Brutalist-style building in Lier, Belgium, specifically in the Kruisbogenhofstraat area.
The production team chose Antwerp because its Gothic and Renaissance architecture closely resembles York’s historical aesthetic.
Overall
With its fresh take on the crime drama genre and strong performances from its lead actresses, Patience has established itself as a noteworthy addition to the crime drama genre.
While it may draw inspiration from its French predecessor, the show carves out its own identity through its distinctive York setting and thoughtful portrayal of neurodiversity.
The series demonstrates that there’s still room for innovation in the crowded field of detective dramas, particularly when approaching investigations from a different perspective.
