Tonight Nine begins its newest Aussie drama in Human Error.
When the series begins, we meet Holly O’Rourke (Leeanna Walsman) who is picking up her daughter, Alcie (Rosie Mitchell), from school. Holly is confronted by Alice’s teacher over her bringing an inappropriate item to school: a crime scene photo depicting two people missing their heads. Holly comes to her daughter’s defence, arguing that it’s just a photo and no real damage had been done.
On the way home, Holly is called into work and it’s clear that there’s more to Holly than first appearances; she’s Detective Senior Sergeant Holly O’Rourke, head of a homicide unit with the state police. When a suburban mum, Sonia Matthews, is executed in her driveway in front of a child, it has all the signs of a brazen professional hit. Except, Sonia has no criminal connections at all.
Holly and the team, which consists of right-hand man Detective Jarred Pines (Rahel Romahn), whip-smart Detective Maia Kirsner (Emily Joy), and newest member Detective Gabe Khin (Ethan Lwin) who is fresh from training and sporting a mystery limp.
Rounding out Holly’s home life is husband Luke (Matt Day), who spends a lot of time with best mate and fellow detective Dylan (Stephen Peacocke), and her father Bear (Steve Bisley), a retired detective full of unwanted advice but whom she relies on for childcare and moral support.
What appears to be an open-and-shut case is anything but, and Holly’s determination to find the truth at any cost could have dangerous consequences.
Written by Gregor Jordan and Samantha Winston, the first episode has some great twists to keep you hooked, but it’s the balancing act between personal and professional environments that allows us to connect with the characters.
Walsman gives an understated performance as Holly, while guest cast Jane Allsop and Sachin Joab also delight alongside the core cast.
Human Error is a thrill right from the beginning and will certainly be your next crime drama obsession.
4 Stars
Human Errors premieres tonight at 8:40pm on Nine.
