Viewers can’t get enough of ‘excellent’ new drama perfect for Shetland fans

Joséphine Jobert and Allan Hawco play two clashing detectives in the French crime drama, Saint-Pierre, which has finally arrived on British TV screens…

he French crime drama, Saint-Pierre, has finally arrived on British TV screens after over a year’s wait. The detective series, which stars Death in Paradise‘s Joséphine Jobert, follows two mismatched detectives forced to team up to investigate crimes on the idyllic island.

Perfect for Shetland fans, this gritty mystery follows two detectives as they solve dark mysteries in a tight-knit community, set against the sweeping, isolated island backdrop. Just like DI Calder and DI Tosh in Shetland, lead detectives Donny ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick (Allan Hawco) and Geneviève ‘Arch’ Archambault (Jobert) initially lock horns before settling into an unstoppable partnership.

two police officers holding guns© UKTV/Fifth Season
Joséphine Jobert and Allan Hawco star in Saint-Pierre

If, like me, you love atmospheric procedural detective shows set against a stunning landscape, it’s worth tuning into Saint-Pierre.

Keep reading to find out what viewers have said about the show.

What have viewers said about Saint-Pierre?

Following its UK debut on U&Alibi, viewers have hailed the opening episode as “excellent” and a “great show”.

two police officers in leather jackets outdoors© UKTV/Fifth Season
The series follows two clashing detectives who are forced to work together

Taking to social media, one person wrote: “Just watched the first episode, excellent viewing. Can’t wait for the rest of the series,” while another added: “Greatest show on TV… EVER.”

What have critics said about Saint-Pierre?

The series has been met with positive reviews from TV critics, with The Guardian handing out three stars, describing the drama as a “Canadian Death in Paradise” that features sweet chemistry between the leads, a beautiful location and a new, neatly resolved crime each week. Meanwhile, film critic website Original Cin described the series as “fun and engaging”.

What to expect from Saint-Pierre

The drama follows Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector Donny ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick (Hawco), who is exiled to work in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon (the small French-controlled island just off the coast of Newfoundland) after probing into a local politician’s nefarious activity.

His arrival disrupts the life of Deputy Chief Geneviève ‘Arch’ Archambault (Jobert), a Parisian transplant in Saint-Pierre for her own interesting reasons.

two police officers wearing gun proof vests© UKTV/Fifth Season
The series is set on the small French-controlled island just off the coast of Newfoundland

The synopsis continues: “Saint-Pierre is a police procedural with French star Josephine Jobert as Arch and Canadian star Allan Hawco as Fitz, and James Purefoy rounding out the stellar team.

“As if by fate, these two seasoned officers – with very different policing skills and approaches – are forced together to solve unique and exciting crimes. Although the islands seem like a quaint tourist destination, the idyllic façade conceals the worst kind of criminal activity which tends to wash up on its beautiful shores.”

Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert in Saint Pierre© Saint Pierre / Josephine Jobert / Instagram
New episodes of Saint-Pierre air on U&Alibi on Wednesdays at 9pm

It concludes: “At first at odds and suspicious of each other, Arch and Fitz soon discover that they are better together… a veritable crime-fighting force.”

How to watch Saint-Pierre

New episodes of Saint-Pierre air on U&Alibi on Wednesdays at 9pm.