The first episode of the new UK web series Crime Lord, directed and written by David Paul Baker debuted recently and is a gritty crime drama set in Scotland that exposes the seedy underbelly of a city inhabited by crooks and shady entrepreneurs.
The series follows the story of Paul Black (played by Baker), an ex gangster who has just finished serving a fifteen year prison sentence for being involved in a high profile bank robbery. Whilst inside, he vows to go straight and leave his life of crime behind; with this in mind, he begins writing a crime novel called Crime Lord, but when he gets out he soon realises that his ambition of going legit might be a lot more difficult than he had hoped.
Images from ‘Crime Lord’ courtesy of their Facebook page
ImagImages from ‘Crime Lord’ courtesy of their Facebook pagees from ‘Crimelord’ courtesy of their Facebook page
Where Crime Lord excels is in its plotting, which is exceptionally well written. The characters we follow seem very real from the outset, and each has a peculiar yet true to life personality type. The believability factor comes mainly from a documentary style shooting technique that gives the viewer a palpable sensation of being a fly on the wall, watching as events unfold. This lends proceedings an atmosphere of intimacy and immediacy. There’s also a good deal of clever and subtle humour to be derived from the superb characterisation as well as tension and high drama. Alongside Paul, we have Stephen Brady as Ray Teirnay, a rather dodgy kind of jack the lad type. You’re never quite sure of his intentions but warm to him anyway because he is unusually likable. Then there’s Candy Belle, played by Tyne Roberts – a sexy and seductive friend of Ray’s with a knowingly wry attitude who performs webcam sex shows over the internet for a living and immediately takes a shine to Paul. Last but not least we have Jim Sweeney, who is both sinister and intimidating as Logan Mackenzie; the city’s main crime boss and Paul’s adversary.
Images from ‘Crime Lord’ courtesy of their Facebook page
Images from ‘Crime Lord’ courtesy of their Facebook pageImages from ‘Crime Lord’ courtesy of their Facebook page
Crime Lord benefits from the web series format greatly, strong language and an uncompromising approach to dark and raunchy subject matter make it a thrill to watch. It’s stylish, engrossing and absorbing viewing and I can’t wait to watch future episodes and see where it takes me.
You can watch Episode 1 of Crime Lord now here – http://www.crimelordseries.com/#!episode-1/c151
‘CRIME LORD’ RECAPS – Episode 1 Episode 1 The first episode of the new UK web series Crime Lord, directed and written by David Paul Baker debuted recently and is a gritty crime drama set in Scotland that exposes the seedy underbelly of a city inhabited by crooks and shady entrepreneurs.
