Boasting an all-star cast including Jamie Bamber (Law & Order: UK), Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch), Gerard Kearns (Shameless) and Rhashan Stone (Strike Back), the series aims to break the mould of the traditional, formulaic emergency services procedural drama. An aim that is, in the first instalment of this exhilarating new eight-part series, almost entirely met.

The opening episode sets the standard of what to expect from the show: glossy, almost cinematic visuals, claustrophobic camerawork that builds necessary tension and some excellent stunt choreography. There’s a real sense of scale to proceedings here when dealing with the job, which provides an artfully directed juxtaposition to the withdrawn and internalised pain of Bamber’s lead character.  However, the real strength of the show is in the quality of the cast and the writing.

Bamber is compelling as the troubled and tragic Kev, trying to piece his life together after a particularly nasty incident in a council estate fire: an event that has personal and professional ramifications for him and the crew of the ‘White Watch’ Brigade in this episode and beyond.

The team themselves are fleshed out just enough in this episode so that they add colour to the events, without being cardboard cut outs only there to react. There is a genuine sense of ensemble casting here, with some excellent character interplay.

Skilfully produced by the makers of Spooks and Broadchurch, The Smoke kicks off with an opening sequence that wouldn’t look out of place in a Hollywood movie. The episode’s tone becomes considerably more subdued from there, however, building up to a tense third act that provides enough elements to entice you back for the next episode. There’s also a teasing reveal related to the series’ mystery, set up in the opening minutes, and a harrowing personal reveal that brutally exposes the consequences of being a fire fighter in Britain today.

One slight criticism, and it’s one that’s almost impossible to avoid with a pilot introducing an ensemble cast, is that the episode tries to cover too many elements in one go, and draws us in too many directions in order to do it, thinning out certain key aspects. Elements of social commentary, such as commenting the ingratitude of people towards the emergency services, are rushed when the time could actually be better utilised shaping the characters’ individual development. For example, while I’m sure Jodie Whittaker’s Trish is going to appear more in the remaining episodes, it’s a crime that she isn’t given more screen time with Bamber to show the depth of their union, given that this is the show’s key relationship and most of their screen time in Episode 1 is spent apart.

Despite these quibbles in character screen time and the odd jarring tonal shift, The Smoke represents another fine quality British drama led by a captivating set of actors. Couple this with some knock-out effects, a moving lead performance and a genuinely engaging mystery element and I’m sure The Smoke will continue to rise.

Airs at 9pm on Thursday 20 February 2014 on Sky1.

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