Time to get Paranoid

ITV’s new police crime series is far from procedural. Here’s the lay down on all the characters

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Detective Bobby Day (Robert Glenister)

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Strengths:

There’s no doubt this passionate man really cares about making a difference.

Weaknesses: He often feels past-it in an office filled with younger colleagues and his panic attacks are getting harder to hide. But perhaps his biggest weakness is refusing to show any weaknesses. Personal Life: He finds himself drawn to the calm energy of murder witness and Quaker Lucy.

Most likely to say: “Life’s got claws. It never used to have claws.”

Lucy Cannonbury (Lesley Sharp)

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Strengths: Lucy isn’t a police officer, but as a thoughtful and observant witness to the crime, she provides an oasis of calm for Bobby. Weaknesses: She may seem to have it all sorted, but there’s something painful in Lucy’s past which continues to haunt her.

Personal Life: Lucy is a proud member of the local Quaker community, but beyond that, her personal life is an intriguing mystery.

Most likely to say: “Tell someone what’s troubling you, or you’ll go under.”

Detective Alec Wayfield (Dino Fetscher)

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Strengths: Organised, intelligent and dogged, Alec always knows the right question to ask.

Weaknesses: A romantic at heart, he has a tendency to trust which can conflict with professional scepticism. Plus his habit of quoting Shakespeare irritates some colleagues (Nina). Personal Life: Alec has a difficult relationship with his overbearing, mother. Then there’s the other older woman in his life. Will his infinite patience pay off?

Most likely to say: “Thou halfpenny purse of wit” or another Bard reference.

Detective Nina Suresh (Indira Varma)

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Strengths: She can exchange office banter with the best of ’em, but Nina also has an instant rapport with the bereaved, offering comfort when it’s needed most. Weaknesses: She’s mouthy, impulsive and prone to occasional self-sabotage. Personal Life: Nina wants to settle down, but her messy love life is proving a problem.

Most likely to say: “I’m 38 years old, I’m childless, my arse is starting to sag... will that do you?”

Chief Inspector Michael Niles (Neil Stuke)

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Strengths: Authoritative and sharp, nothing gets by Chief Inspector Niles. Weaknesses: Vanity is his most prominent character flaw. Does he care more about justice being done or justice being seen to be done? Personal Life: He’s been married

to his secondary school sweetheart for decades.

Most likely to say: “Show me the evidence."

Paranoid continues Thursdays at 9 on ITV, watch the series so far on the ITV Hub.