Returning hit British crime drama’s major cast shake-up rewards even new fans in impressive season 2

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The second season of Patience is back on Channel 4, continuing to follow puzzling murder cases and the ongoing mystery of the puzzle box. Ella Maisy Purvis returns as Patience, an autistic police officer, as she tackles each new investigation. While the show largely maintains its familiar ‘case-of-the-week’ structure, a significant change has occurred with the departure of Laura Fraser, who played DI Bea Metcalf.

With Metcalf gone, Detective Frankie Monroe (Jessica Hynes) is taking her place, and the two detectives have very different personalities. This is likely to cause some tension within the police department, but no one will be more affected by the change than Patience.

The police archivist and Bea used to be very close, starting as mentor and mentee but developing a mother-like bond. The first episode deals with the news of Metcalf’s departure, which is delivered directly to Patience and her team. Before they can process that shock, Patience is introduced to DI Monroe.

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Channel 4 aimed for a fresh approach, and they succeeded. Monroe joins the team in a very disruptive way – like a force of nature – and makes it clear she’s going to do things her own way.

She’s unconventional and challenges expectations, and surprisingly, it works well. Monroe and Patience don’t initially get along. While Metcalf was supportive and encouraging, Monroe is abrupt, dismissive, and has little tolerance for Patience’s ideas.

Monroe is annoyed by Patience’s knack for getting involved in investigations, even though she’s just a police archivist and shouldn’t be involved.

Patience is used to facing setbacks, but she’s much stronger now than when we first met her. Having once felt valued and respected, she’s determined to prove her worth, and this newfound drive reveals a side of her we haven’t seen before.

While their difficult relationship isn’t ideal for personal development, it constantly pushes Patience to prove herself and could lead her to seek out more formal roles where she can truly shine.

Monroe also has a lot to gain by observing Patience, potentially changing her perspective and approach. This fresh angle is what earned Patience positive reviews when it first came out.

Beyond the new actors, the show offers heartwarming moments. We see Patience continuing her relationship with Elliott (Tom Lewis), and she remains determined to unlock the mystery of a puzzle box left by her estranged mother.

As I get further into solving the mystery as Patience, the story really starts to hit me on an emotional level. It’s like each clue I uncover reveals more about her personal struggles and makes her feel more real, more vulnerable. It’s not just about the crime anymore; it’s about her.

Despite improvements, some of the same problems from the first season remain. The show can still feel heavy-handed or predictable at times. Additionally, it’s occasionally unclear whether Patience is exceptionally clever or if the other characters are simply lacking in skill.

Despite a few weaknesses, the show is still enjoyable, and the new main characters are arguably just as captivating – perhaps even more so – than the previous leads.

Watching these determined characters learn to compromise and understand each other keeps the show interesting and engaging, making it enjoyable for longtime fans and new viewers alike.

Review based on episodes 1 and 2


Patience seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream now on Channel 4

The latest issue of Living Legends magazine is now available, and it’s dedicated to the incredible Dolly Parton! You can find ‘Dolly at 80’ in shops or order it online for only £8.99.

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2026-01-08 01:19