The cast has been expertly chosen. A personal favourite is Mark Heap as Turpin's dad, a butcher. I die of laughter whenever he turns up on screen. Part of this is definitely because I love his portrayal of Jim in "Friday Night Dinner", but as ever he brings so much to the role. Particularly by trying to sell off his meat in almost every conversation possible. The whole show gives the spotlight to several British comedians and actors. Tamsin Greig coming in to the villain role and pulling it off excellently. The main Essex Gang (Marc Wootton, Ellie Heat and Duayne Boachie), bounce off each other very well, particularly when they attempt to work out what to do when Turpin is out of the picture, which happens quite regularly throughout the show.
I also enjoy the continuity between the episodes. While you can definitely get away with watching episodes out of order, there is information passed between episodes, particularly 1 and 3, and 5-6. It allows for the relationships between the characters to get shown off fully and effectively develop throughout the series. The villains are also well thought out in that regard, with the Syndicate, an overarching crime organisation providing the threat across most episodes, but with other incidents, involving Greg Davies and Jessica Hynes standing out away from the main syndicate plot. I must point out Connor Swindells, who plays off the arrogant, charming Tommy Silversides superbly, adding to the most enjoyable arc of the series in the final 2 episodes.
My only personal gripe with the series is it just feels too short, and has left me wanting more, in a good way.
My only personal gripe with the series is it just feels too short, and has left me wanting more, in a good way. I'm sure the team behind it have got far more ideas than the initial 6 episodes, and the potential for more was definitely teased at the end of Episode 6. The Syndicate definitely has more plans and there is definitely more space to grow the characters in. Jonathon Wilde (Hugh Bonneville) ended the series by vowing revenge, and I'd love to see Wilde and Turpin duke it out again, across more episodes.