REVIEW: Nothing Really Magical About FOX’s Houdini and Doyle

Tonight, May 2, FOX will premiere its new mini-series, Houdini and Doyle. The procedural crime show takes place in the early 1900’s and it follows the friendship of Harry Houdini (Michael Weston) and Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan) as they investigate crimes that are of the natural/supernatural nature. Joined by Rebecca Liddiard as Constable Adelaide Stratton, the show, unfortunately, is not able to stand out among the other procedurals airing on TV today.

In the premiere episode, “The Maggie’s Redress”, Houdini and Doyle must prove that a ghost is not killing/tormenting the nuns from one of the Magdalene Laundries (institutions for “fallen women”). The episode had its good moments, but as a series premiere it was never able to create an identity for itself. The storyline was predictable and there was nothing about the characters or story that really had me glued to the TV screen.

The idea of the show is great, but bringing it to life is easier said than done. The show premieres tonight at 9pm on FOX and, so far, is only 10 episodes long. It has also already started airing on ITV in England, so if you are looking to see if it will get better, there are spoilers out there. Though I wouldn’t suggest looking for them.

Grade: C