Frustrated viewers of Channel 4’s drama Patience branded the show ‘a rip off’ of a rival programme, with some ‘switching off’ just minutes into the latest episode.
The second instalment of the new series came out on Thursday, hot on the heels of the opening hour on Wednesday.
The show starred 21-year-old newcomer Ella Maisy Purvis as police archivist Patience Evans, who has autism.
When a psychiatrist killed himself on the top floor of a multi-storey car park, Patience was the only person who saw links to two previous suicides and Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser) integrated her into a team investigating the death.
The premise is not as unusual as it seems, however, with many viewers comparing the series to French show Astrid, which itself is available on Channel 4’s streaming service.
Across five seasons, inspector Raphaëlle Coste worked with archivist Astrid Nielsen, who has asperger’s syndrome, to solve murders in Paris.
Frustrated viewers of Channel 4’s drama Patience branded the show ‘a rip off’ of a rival programme
The second episode of the new series came out on Thursday, hot on the heels of the opening hour on Wednesday
The premise is not as unusual as it seems, however, with many viewers comparing the series to French show Astrid, which itself is available on Channel 4’s streaming service
Those tuning in to Channel 4 on Thursday night were less than happy with the similarities and took to social media to voice their frustrations.
One user posted on X: ‘OMG, they’re literally the SAME STORIES? Yeah, no. Thought I’d give it 10 minutes. Awful. #Patience.’
Another added: ‘It’s a very stereotypical view of autism that’s quite outdated. However, I’m glad to see an autistic actor playing the role.’
A third said: ‘Clearly Patience on Channel 4 is Astrid in Paris but in York. Watched two episodes last night, is it me, or not the same charm and humour?’
One irritated viewer added: ‘Patience (Channel 4). Wearing thin.’
Another user said: ‘The new Channel 4 TV cop series Patience is a fair rip-off of the French series Astrid that ch4 have on demand.’
A sixth posted: ‘Did Channel 4 #Patience literally plagiarise the plot of episode 1 of #Astrid and somehow the character herself? Or am I bonkers?’
Another infuriated viewer said: ‘Watching the new drama Patience on Channel 4 – I’m slightly concerned that the characters seem familiar!? Like a police detective and a young woman with autism solving crimes together?’
Those tuning in to Channel 4 on Thursday night were less than happy with the similarities and took to social media to voice their frustrations
And one incredulous user added: ‘Giving Patience a go on Channel 4. Is this not the almost exactly the same as French crime drama Astrid: Murder in Paris.’
The Mail’s own Christopher Stevens disagreed, praising the premise of bringing the two characters together as well as a twist halfway through the opening hour.
He said: ‘The show didn’t really get going until an unexpected turn after 30 minutes, when DI Metcalf gave Patience a lift to an AA meeting — not Alcoholics Anonymous, as the co-ordinator was at pains to point out, but Autistic Adults.
‘As attendees poured out their anxieties, Patience’s character fully came to life. We began to understand her and the way she navigates the world, even though she said nothing.
‘DI Metcalf also began to understand — and saw parallels with her own son, who is facing hostility at school from both classmates and teachers. It’s this connection that promises to give the show, which continues tonight, a deeper resonance.’
Thursday’s episode saw Patience questioned by police after coming under suspicion in relation to the crime, despite being the one who noticed a promising link to other cases.
It also involved Bea taking the archivist under her wing and finding out a bit more about her, before getting on with their investigation.
Those who enjoyed the first two offerings will have to wait until Wednesday for the latest plotlines, with Channel 4 teasing the show with the summary: ‘The team are baffled when a young woman is found dead in a museum’s dinosaur display.’
Patience next airs on Channel 4 on Wednesday January 15 and is available to stream On Demand.
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