Treadaway brings a compelling, quiet intensity to David Hunter. He plays the character with a fragile intelligence that feels grounded rather than superhuman.
The season is split into two distinct arcs (covering the first two books). This results in a slightly jarring mid-season shift that makes the show feel like two mini-movies rather than a cohesive 6-episode narrative.
It’s a moody, well-acted procedural that prioritizes atmosphere over action. If you enjoy the "forensic noir" vibe of shows like Silent Witness but want something a bit more cinematic and grim, it’s well worth a watch.
If you’ve watched Broadchurch or Shetland , you’ll recognize the beats: the "outsider" consultant, the skeptical local police, and the dark secrets hidden behind picket fences. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The Verdict
Chemistry of Death is a solid, albeit traditional, addition to the "morbidly brilliant specialist" subgenre of crime thrillers. Based on Simon Beckett’s novels, the first season follows forensic anthropologist David Hunter, a man haunted by personal tragedy who trades the high-stakes world of London forensics for the quiet life of a village GP—until, inevitably, the bodies start piling up.