Mikes Film Talk

Professor T, a series about OCD and crime, is a curious amalgamation of Adrian Monk and The Irrational. Professor T teaches criminology and is drafted into becoming an advisor to the police. This UK series is gripping, despite being a remake of the Belgian original. Ben Miller, though, does what he does best. He acts his little cotton socks off.

Dare to Compare

Despite the obvious set back of being a copy of the European series. Professor T and Crime, with his OCD, entertains. The series itself works on a different level from the American crime series Monk . It is miles away from The Irrational. *Where the lead character Alec Mercer is based on the real life professor/author Dan Ariely.*

*Side note: The Brits need not feel guilty about stealing the OCD criminologist from the Belgians. Germany, France and the Czech’s also have their own Professor T. It is a small wonder that after four seasons that the Americans have not developed their own version.*

Both Monk and The Irrational have different styles. However, Monk has one thing in common with Professor T, his full name is Jasper Tempest. They both developed OCD as a response to dramatic circumstances in their lives.

Monk’s wife was murdered and T’s dad hung himself. Young Jasper found his father hanging in the living room. Tempest also, again very different from Adrian Monk, has “episodes.” These little fantasies, known as Maladaptive daydreaming serve to alter his responses to colleagues or students.

Professor T, with his OCD is closer to Adrian Monk. Although unlike the professor, Monk does not wear latex gloves. *Side note: The glove thing serves somewhat annoyingly, as a distraction. Any first responder, nurse or anyone during the Covid pandemic will tell you: Latex gloves make your hands sweat.

Profusely.

Mum

Tempest does have a mother. Frances de la Tour is Adelaide Tempest. This actor is a favorite of mine going back to the days of Rising Damp, starring Leonard Rossiter. *I am such a fan that when watching Into the Woods (2014) I was beside myself with delight when she turned up as the giant. The other critics at the screening were bemused to say the least. *

Adelaide is a bit of a befuddled artist who was going to sell the familial home. Jasper saves the ramshackle structure and moves in. These two have a sort of love/hate thing going on. This adds another dimension to the character of Professor Tempest. His OCD, which I believe, traceable to his childhood trauma could also be linked back to her.

It’s Cambridge Innit

The show being set in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire UK, is an accomplishment in itself. It is interesting to note that the city council have loosened up since the days of “Chariots of Fire.” The council refused to let the city itself and or the colleges be filmed. Cameras had to be moved to Oxford for that Oscar winning film to be made.

Now, Professor T and Grantchester (2014 – 2025) have been allowed to film locations in and around those colleges. Having lived there, I can definitely assert that no other place in the UK looks quite like Cambridge.

Trailer

You can watch Professor T on PBS or on the PBS Masterpiece channel. Somewhat oddly IMDb does not show this option in the “watchlist” portion of the website. It is well worth watching. Not only does Miller show up after Death in Paradise, but Emma Naomi, also plays a part in the series.

Check out the trailer and see if this strikes your fancy.