This is without doubt one of my all time favourite TV series from start to finish. All the acting is superb. Out of all Martin Shaws various characters that he has played George Gently is definitely my favourite one. Exceptionally sad ending as well which I won't go into here as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who is just finding the series. If I was to find one small criticism it would be that in the final series, series 8, for some reason the director or producers seem to have decided to turn the volume of the background music up? I found it, well, not exactly in the background? I don't really know why the perfect formula used in the previous 7 series seemed to be altered in the last two episodes? But that's a very minor criticism and doesn't alter my opinion that it is definitely one of the best British drama series ever.