Australian author Peter Temple's series of detective novels about Jack Irish have been lighting up television screens since 2012, when the first two adaptations were broadcast. An immediate hit, a third Jack Irish telefilm was broadcast in 2014.Jack Irish is an emotionally wounded, borderline down-and-outer who had once been a successful lawyer but was professionally and personally derailed when his wife was murdered. Guy Pearce, the star of the JACK IRISH series, brings just the right amount of world-weariness to his role to suggest a classic film noir protagonist. The supporting cast, including Marta Dusseldorp as Jack's on again-off again love interest, Linda (who also stars in two other Autralian series--JANET KING and A PLACE TO CALL HOME) are just as compelling in their own way and the show is as much a series of character studies as it is a detective show.Now we have JACK IRISH Season 1: BLIND FAITH, the most recent addition to the JACK IRISH canon, which is a six-part mini-series, a format that serves the story well. While not based on one of the JACK IRISH novels, it is as faithful to the original characters as die-hard fans might want it to be. With the increased running time, multiple story-lines can converge and develop without seeming rushed. Given that one of the story arcs focuses on religious extremism, (both Christian and Muslim) it is wise the makers of JACK IRISH recognized they needed a larger canvas to fairly examine the inherently sensitive issues. While it is common these days for people of faith to be portrayed negatively in film and television programs, it is encouraging to see some balance achieved amidst the accusations. Case in point: there is a scene in JACK IRISH--once we've established that a "mega-church" is behind a series of murders and other misdeeds--in which a character points out, while sitting in a soup kitchen, "That fellow there runs this place. He makes $40,000 a year and gives most of it away. He's doing what the others SHOULD be doing." (I paraphrase, but the gist is clear). One can only appreciate such fairness. It is a breath of fresh air, really. Of course, the principle characters are shown specifically to be non-believers, another annoying trend that needs to be addressed in this writer's opinion, but it's a start.JACK IRISH is notable too for being about people who are older, from forty-somethings, like Irish, to a substantial cast of older, even elderly, characters. The regulars who haunt the bar Irish might call his second home are a great bunch of old codgers. And Irish's furniture-making mentor, an old master by the name of Charlie, whose infinite patience with Irish gives him the much-needed respite he occasionally needs from his problems, is a true rarity on television today. Interestingly, Charlie was portrayed in the first two JACK IRISH films by German actor Vadim Glowna, who passed away before the third film was made. The role is re-cast for the mini-series and features an actor named David Ritchie--who also passed away not long after the mini-series wrapped. Is the role of Charlie cursed? Only time will tell...While it is not yet known whether there will be more JACK IRISH films/mini-series produced, it's a pretty good bet that there will be. The show is extremely well produced, brilliantly acted, with quirky humour, troubled romance and a world-view that, while sometimes cynical and dark, like the best of film noir, is ultimately life-affirming. Jack is a classic underdog and we want him to succeed, to get his life back together, to rekindle his romance with Linda (Dusseldorp's character).How many characters on television today do we truly care about? Jack Irish is one of them.

For an Australian crime show, this is by far the one of the best. I like Guy Pearce and the supporting cast. I started watching Jack Irish the movies versions last year. I was pleasantly surprised that they made it into a TV series. It is a great watch, because it is so not like any other show on television. I'm hoping for more, a second season and continue on from there. This is one television show that should be aired in the United States. It deserves a larger audience.I am really in a kind of quite love affair with the Blackhawk that Pearce drives in the series. I just wonder how many are still running around the down-under continent? Australia has a knack for holding on to a lot of nostalgic artifacts of American origin or design. Even with the right hand drive. Cheers Mates.

I loved the first three "Jack Irish" movies, they just went from strength to strength.They formed a body of work that can stand comparison with the best in the crime/mystery genre such as "Morse", "Lewis", "Wallander", "Jesse Stone", and "Vera."All share key ingredients that are even more important than a cutting-edge plot, the critical one being that the lead character must have feeling. It doesn't matter how tough or worldly-wise they are, these people know your pain. All the best ones understand human failings even if they don't always forgive them. Wit serves their characters well - not so much cynicism, but a knowing, world-weary wit.The first three "Jack Irish" movies had those qualities in spades, plus unique, beautifully realised characters right down the cast list.But I'm not so sure about the latest 6-part series. I think the extended format works against the tighter format of the movie length episodes. Where the filmmakers edited to fit 90-minutes, they now extend to fill 4-hours plus.There are still clever touches and some very funny lines, and you can't fault the performances, but there are definitely some well-worn themes: a trail that leads to crooked politicians; ruthless multinationals; terrorists, and that old favourite of just about every series, the cult church with dark motives. Despite sub-plots going off in all directions, the principle that 'no one is introduced for nothing' is applied with a vengeance - no one is random, everything is connected.Familiar elements added spice to the first three movies, but here things are perilously close to being over-spiced. Jack's buddies get a major workout with a lot more business to get through.A factor is possibly the creation of more content for a voracious medium, but I can't help feeling that the six episodes would have made two more succinct movies along the lines of "Bad Debts", "Black Tide" and "Dead Point".It will be interesting to see where "Jack Irish" goes from here.

Jack Irish is a detective show with yards of gritty, very Australian character. Jack is wryly witty, hard drinking, somewhat self destructive, self styled detective and part time ladies man. Played with a world worn, crusty charm, by Guy Pearce. Jack Irish and the larger than life, cast of very colourful Australian characters, really bring this series to life. Each of the characters in this series has a well rounded, often off beat or odd ball personality and their own well scripted narrative. There are no "filler" characters in Jack Irish and the series is so much better, for it. The quality characterizations are matched up with robust, mystery/crime, tales, that typically have an "underdog taking on the corrupt establishment" flavour. Jack is always the underdog, who inevitably comes out on top, but, typically, not without exacting a personal toll.I really, really like Jack Irish. If you have not spent time in Australia it may be hard to appreciate some of the cultural artifacts and nuances found in the series. That said, its a very approachable watch, that's certainly a departure from mainstream US and UK crime/mystery drama's. I say give it a go. Eight out of ten from me.