Zen: Season 1
  • Network: BBC-1 , PBS , BBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 17, 2011
  • Season #: 1
Zen Image
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Michael Dibdin's Italian detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell) comes to the small screen in this adaptation of the first three novels for Masterpiece Mystery.
  • Genre(s): Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Jul 18, 2011
    100
    The performances are superb, especially that of Sewell in the title role. He underplays the part to sublime perfection, making Aurelio Zen one of the most attractive and fascinating TV cops in years.
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Jul 14, 2011
    80
    The series is set in modern-day Rome, where the women wear tight skirts, the men are in sharp suits, and even the corruption is exquisite in its labyrinthine complexity.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jul 15, 2011
    80
    In this clever series of politically and sexually charged Masterpiece Mystery! movies based on books by Michael Dibdin, and beautifully filmed on location, lone wolf Zen finds his reputation for integrity challenged on all sides.
  4. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: David Zurawik
    Jul 18, 2011
    50
    There are just too many problems with the lead character and writing for this to ever become a PBS staple like "Inspector Morse" or "Miss Marple" had been.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. bargainsushi
    10
    Just got done watching the 3rd and (final?) episode of BBC's Zen. FANTASTIC! The writing, production quality, the acting, all beyond what is offered on any other station. The cinematography blows away most theatrical movies. I just read BBC axed pursuing a series of this? And there is even more Zen stories already written and ready for the taking? You guys gotta get with it and continue this as a series. There's plenty of loose threads in sub-plots to continue further. You have a goldmine. The question over the past 3 Sundays in our house has been: Do you want to go to the movies? No, we want to stay in and watch Zen! Sonoma, CA… Expand
  2. MarcDoyle
    9
    Terrific, elegant show. Both Rufus Sewell and his lead actress are eminently watchable, and the stories are compelling. This one's a keeper. Would love to see them shoot some additional episodes.… Collapse
  3. JoeinMD
    8
    Characters and stories are excellent. I just wish the characters felt Italian. With hardly an accent from any of the characters, it is just a bit difficult to get deeply involved.… Expand
  4. jjolla88a
    1
    Surprisingly bad. The show starts with what is a brilliant idea: it is set in beautiful Rome! And the characters are sexy Italians! Then they take this great premise and trash it completely ... with British actors speaking in British accents. It's totally out of place. it's all I could think about everytime they opened their mouths. If that is not enough, the plots are weak and it is difficult for the audience to get involved. If the accents were not so grating, I would find myself bored senseless.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

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