Deadloch – Review – Prime Video Series

DEADLOCH on Prime Video is a new Australian series labeled a “Feminist Noir Comedy” which is surprisingly accurate. Also, it’s a murder mystery and has many LGBTQ characters, so there’s that. Read our Deadloch series review here!

DEADLOCH is a new Prime Video series from Australia. It’s described simply as a crime comedy hybrid and a “Feminist Noir Comedy”. Both descriptions work surprisingly well. For me, the comedy is hit-or-miss. Some scenes work perfectly, while others go very much over the top. I’ll get back to that.

Overall, it’s a story that plays out in a small town on the Australian island state of Tasmania. This town has recently had an influx of LGBTQ people which has resulted in a culture change. However, there’s also a sudden issue of people showing up on the beach murdered!

Continue reading our Deadloch series review below. The series premiered on Prime Video worldwide on June 2, 2023.

When LGBTQ people come to a small town

You could think that the many LGBTQ people in a small town would be a problem. And sure, some people do seem to have an issue with it. Not so much that they’re gay or queer in some other way. It’s more that things are changing. And not everyone likes change.

However, the changes are in a good way that makes the town look to the future. Food and entertainment are getting more focus than ever. Also, people don’t tend to get murdered in Deadloch, but that’s about to change.

The problem in this small town comes from those pesky murders. Our main character, police officer Dulcie Collins, has promised her wife that she’s done being a detective. Instead, they’re focusing on starting a family. So, when the murders happen, outside help is called in.

This comes in the form of Eddie Redcliffe. Behind the name “Eddie” is a woman, which surprises many. She’s quite unorthodox and does not work “by the book”. Dulcie, on the other hand, does and quickly gets involved in the investigation. Once she does, it’s easy to see why her wife would prefer she didn’t.

The case consumes her. Also, more bodies show up on the beach, so this won’t be over any time soon.

The main cast and characters

The main character of Deadloch is Dulcie Collins and she’s portrayed by Kate Box (Wentworth). I love everything about the way Kate Box plays this character. She’s all heart and brains, which is a strong combination to pull off.

Also, she has wonderful and sweet chemistry with her wife Cath, portrayed by Alicia Gardiner (The Clearing).

For me, this series works best when it doesn’t focus on Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) which I hate to say since I adore the actor portraying her. It’s just too out there and crazy which just doesn’t gel with the vibe otherwise driving the series. At least not to me.

Well, at first anyway, because it does change. Fortunately!

You may recognize Madeleine Sami if you’ve watched The Great Kiwi Bake Off (the New Zealand edition of The Great British Bake Off). Also, she was in Come to Daddy starring Elijah Wood. Usually, I love Madeleine Sami and it does get better in Deadloch, but her character is too abrasive at first. It’s a shame!

Start watching Deadloch on Prime Video now

Deadloch comes from the funny minds of Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. The two previously worked on the comedy series The Katering Show and Get Krack!n. There are eight episodes in the crime comedy series and the murders take place from the beginning.

Directors on the series are Ben Chessell (The Great), Beck Cole (Here I Am), and Gracie Otto (The Clearing, Heartbreak High). And yes, the latter is related to Miranda “I am no man” Otto. Sorry, I love Miranda Otto and always just have flashbacks to her in Lord of the Rings saying that. Gracie and Miranda are sisters.

The series premiered with the release of its first three episodes, so you could get a chance to get hooked. The final episode is released on July 7, 2023. If you prefer to binge-watch a series, you can start at this time. However, the episodes are close to an hour long, so you could start a bit early.

Womentainment recommendation: A feminist noir comedy? Yes, you should watch it!

The fact that this series has been described (accurately) as a feminist noir comedy is enough reason for anyone to check it out. Also, a small town that experiences an influx of LGBTQ+ people, and is all the better for it? Hell yeah, tell me more.

The comedy element is not sharp at first. Specifically not with Madeleine Sami’s character, though it pains me to say that.

However, everything else is really good (and funny) and it does get much better once that tough and abrasive layer of Eddie’s personality takes a backseat. Also, we get a chance to understand the reasoning.

Deadloch premiered on Prime Video worldwide on June 2, 2023.

Creators: Kate McCartney & Kate McLennan
Directors: Ben Chessell, Gracie Otto, Beck Cole
Cast: Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama, Tom Ballard, Alicia Gardiner, Susie Youssef, Pamela Rabe, Kris McQuade, Duncan Fellows, Harvey Zielinski, Shaun Martindale, Katie Robertson, Nick Simpson-Deeks, Mia Morrissey, Leonie Whyman, Mick Davies, Holly Austin, Kartanya Maynard, Naarah

Official plot:

The Tasmanian town of Deadloch, a once sleepy seaside hamlet, is left reeling when a local man turns up dead on the beach. Two female detectives are thrown together to solve the case: Fastidious local Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and a rough as guts blow in from Darwin, Senior Investigator Eddie Redcliffe along with their overeager junior constable Abby. As the town prepares to launch the annual arts, food and culture event – Winter Feastival – the trio have to put their differences aside and work together to find the killer.