Mickey Fitzpatrick, played by Amanda Seyfried, is the protagonist of Peacock’s Long Bright River, a prestige crime drama that follows her journey as a young cop patrolling Kensington, Philadelphia’s crime-ridden neighborhood. The show explores themes of choice, redemption, and corruption within the police force.
Adapted from best-selling novel Liz Moore, Long Bright River delves into Mickey’s struggles to balance her personal life and work, particularly after her ex-partner ceases parental duties and she loses touch with her former partner. A suspected overdose death sparks an investigation, and Mickey becomes obsessed with finding a connection between the murders and her missing younger sister.
However, the show falls short of being a standout due to its excessively grim tone, predictable plot twists, and inconsistent child characters. The portrayal of opioid-crisis-era Kensington is vivid and empathetic, but the theme that smart decisions can right wrongs feels superficial.
Amanda Seyfried brings depth to her character, humanizing Mickey despite coming across as a trope. The show’s reliance on familiar tropes of lone female cops, who can single-handedly change institutions through their individual efforts, raises questions about police portrayals in modern TV and the persistence of cop shows despite recent criticisms.
Source: https://time.com/7267233/long-bright-river-review-peacock