Sometimes a TV series grabs you from the very first scene and refuses to let go - and The Suspect does exactly that. The mind-boggling whodunnit, which first aired in 2022 and is now available to stream on ITVX, introduces us to psychologist Dr. Joe O’Loughlin (played by Poldark’s Aidan Turner), who’s smart, successful and admired by everyone around him. But, as we all know, appearances can be deceiving - and what follows is a true psychological thrill ride.
When Dr. Joe’s expertise is called upon to help with a major murder investigation led by detectives Vincent Ruiz (Shaun Parkes) and Riya Devi (Anjli Mohindra), he couldn’t be more eager to help. And while the detectives are initially grateful for his expertise, it soon transpires that Dr. Joe is more closely connected to the case than anyone could have imagined. The result is a tense, impossibly clever mystery that, we should warn you, you’ll probably find yourself binge-watching in one go.
Ready to dive in? Before you do, here’s everything you need to know about The Only Suspect, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
What is The Suspect about?
Based on crime writer Michael Robotham's 2004 novel of the same name, the five-part series introduces us to Dr. Joe O’Loughlin (Aidan Turner), a successful clinical psychologist who appears to have the perfect life - a devoted wife, a loving daughter, and even a lucrative book deal. He’s even a hero online thanks to him rescuing a young patient who was ready to jump from the tenth floor of the hospital where he works.
When a young woman is found in a shallow grave in a West London cemetery, DI Vincent Ruiz (Shaun Parkes) and his young partner DS Riya Devi (Anjli Mohindra) are called in to investigate. The question is, has the young woman been murdered or is this a case of suicide? And there’s one person who might be able to help them - Dr. Joe, whose opinion is much sought-after.
While Dr. Joe, who's also coming to terms with being diagnosed with a degenerative condition, is only too willing to help, it soon becomes apparent that he might know more than he’s letting on. As the investigation into Catherine’s death gathers pace, we start to ask, do we know the real Joe, or does he have a secret life? And has his work as a clinical psychologist allowed him to develop a criminal mindset… or worse?
Aidan Turner explained in an interview with Virgin Radio that, as a viewer, you gradually realise that you can’t trust his character, Joe. “As we watch the show, you can kind of figure it out as an audience that Joe knows a little bit too much about this victim,” he said.
“That’s something I always find very interesting- you don’t know what the deal is with the protagonist or whether the protagonist is an antagonist. You’re trying to figure out where they lie in the story. So, I think Joe is a pretty shady guy.”
Who’s in the cast of The Suspect?
The cast of The Suspect includes:
- Aidan Turner (Poldark) as Dr. Joe O’Loughlin
- Shaun Parkes (Small Axe) as DI Vincent Ruiz
- Sian Clifford (Fleabag, pictured above) as Fenwick
- Camilla Beeput (Save Me) as Julianne
- Adam James (Vigil) as Gerald Owens
- Anjli Mohindra (Bodyguard) as DS Riya Devi
- Bobby Schofield (Time) as Bobby Moran
- Bronagh Waugh (Ridley) as Cara
- Angela Griffin (Waterloo Road) as Melinda
- Katy Carmichael (Dead Babies) as Bridget Aherne
- Tara Lee (The Racer) as Catherine McCain
- Tom McKay (The Undeclared War) as DJ
Is The Suspect any good?
Yes - it’s a true masterclass in deception. While most whodunnits are pretty straightforward cases, this one is far from it and, by episode 2, you’ll genuinely be questioning everything you thought you knew in episode 1. We should also add that Aidan Turner is exceptional in it – and his beard is pretty impressive, too!
How can I watch The Suspect?
You can watch all five episodes of The Suspect on ITVX now.
What other whodunnits can I watch now?
If you’re a Sean Bean fan, we’d highly recommend checking out his performance in Shardlake. Based on the bestselling Tudor murder mystery novels by C. J. Sansom, the series stars Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake, a 16th-century lawyer who is hired by Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) to investigate a murder at a monastery. You can watch Shardlake now on Disney+. For something more contemporary, we’d suggest Blackshore. The story follows DI Fia Lucey (Lisa Dwan) who’s relegated to policing in smalltown Ireland after being temporarily suspended from her big Dublin job due to her conduct. Despite the demotion, she soon finds herself leading a huge investigation into the disappearance of a local woman. Blackshore is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
