Product Details

• Actors: Aidan Gillen, Keeley Hawes, Holly Aird, Elyes Gabel, Shaun Parkes
• Writers: Ed Whitmore
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: May 3, 2011
• Run Time: 279 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B004MYOXE4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,987 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Identity" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Detective Superintendent Martha Lawson (MI-5's Keeley Hawes) runs London's Identity Unit in this ITV series, but the true star is new Irish-born hire John Bloom (The Wire's Aidan Gillen), a former undercover cop. He joins Tessa (Holly Aird), José (Elyes Gabel), and Anthony (Shaun Parkes, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries). Their target: identity thieves. As opposed to the others, Bloom lacks Lawson's tact, but like Homicide's Frank Pembleton, he can always tell when a suspect's lying and he can get anyone to confess--though he definitely goes too far when he stabs a man in the leg to get his daughter to spill her secrets.

In their first case, the team hunts for a culprit who steals identities to punish moral failings rather than to make money. This sets the template for stories involving desperate mothers, heartless businessmen, and a Patty Hearst-like fugitive. As the episodes unfurl, it transpires that Bloom hasn't given up his cover as Brendan Shea, bagman for the Turkish mob, and continues to see a woman (Agni Scott) caught up in that world; she knows nothing about his day job. If Lawson has his back, Anthony doesn't trust him, and with good reason, since Bloom's double life threatens everyone. Even Lawson's superior has doubts, but as he says, "Results are what count."

Identity is well worth a look for fans of the genre and the cast, especially Gillen and Hawes (despite some of her oddly matronly outfits). If it feels somewhat familiar, a James Bond-like finale--in which the mob kidnaps a member of the IDU--concludes this six-episode set in fine style. Producer Ed Whitmore, who worked with Hawes on Ashes to Ashes, has since created a version for ABC starring Angela Bassett and Colin O'Donoghue. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

"Superlative. Watch it." --The Observer (U.K.)

"Stylish, gripping, and well acted" --The Sun (U.K.)

All it takes is some basic info--and you could be next.

Uncovering the dark side of reinvention, Identity follows an elite police unit tracking identity thieves and their unwitting victims. DSI Martha Lawson (Keeley Hawes, Ashes to Ashes, MI-5) assembles a crack team of investigators, betting her reputation on their results. Cavalier DI John Bloom (Aidan Gillen, The Wire) has undercover experience and knows exactly what it’s like to live a lie. Ambitious DS Anthony Wareing (Shaun Parkes, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) clashes with Bloom about his questionable past and even more questionable methods. Rounding out the group are cocksure DC José Rodriguez (Elyes Gabel, Casualty) and IT expert Tessa Stein (Holly Aird, Waking the Dead).

The cases reveal the many reasons for adopting a new persona, from simple greed to far more sinister motives. Solid detective work and high-tech investigative tools unmask the criminals but discord within the team may derail the operation.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Clever series and great cast December 11, 2011

By myz

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I more or less bought this because I am a fan of Keeley Hawes, however, the real scene stealer is Aidan Gillen, who is great as the slightly dubious but very likable John Bloom. The casting is well done and the stories good entertainment(if somewhat far fetched, I hope). Overall, I was very pleased, though apparently not everyone felt that way, as it did not get a second series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not enough information July 10, 2011

By Josine Burgman

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Identity was well acted, but there wasn't enough character development for me to understand some of the actions of the characters. Why was the female head of the squad so determined to give the new guy every possible chance, and so indifferent to the opinions of her right hand man? The ex-undercover cop didn't have the charisma to make her choices obvious. She didn't come across as a strong enough personality to have fought for and won the new squad. She acted well what she was given, but she should have been given more.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A THRILLER THAT MAKES YOU BELIEVE "IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU" March 22, 2011

By Harold Wolf TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Identity wrong has criminals and victims as other crime. IDENTITY series has serious crime taken seriously by a special London force. DSI Martha Lawson (Keeley Hawes-`Upstairs Downstairs' `MI-5') leads the Identity Unit (IDU) with needed toughness, but a softness making allowance for a unit newcomer. DI John Bloom (Aidan Gillen-`Lorna Doone') just finished years as undercover cop Brendan Shea, but that information is not acknowledged to the IDU group. He seems to struggle with a slower-pace life. There is an ongoing plot connecting Bloom to his secret past, and she is Adile (Agni Scott-`Opa!') Turkish lover and a continuing connection to the Turk Mafia.

A crack team consists of a convincing supporting cast: Tessa (Holly Aird-`Affairs of the Heart') as the beautiful tech geek; DC Jose (Elyes Gabel-"Casualty'); and DS Anthony (Shaun Parkes-"Inspector Lyndley') who questions Bloom's IDU loyalty. It is an interesting cop show twist where first names are used predominantly. Latest technology is shown leading the investigations, a different case for each episode. There is character relationship plot that carries on from episode 1 through to the end. The final 6th episode is an eruption of these private relationship conflicts.

The writing is superb with some clever dialogue lines. Even quite humorous one-liners in the middle of suspenseful action. They blind-side you. The rest is intensely gripping mystery, with plenty of action, and verging often on the thriller realm. As a result there is a box warning of violence and graphic images, but it is not nearly as bloody and violent as many other top British Crime Mystery shows. I am amazed at how fast this TV series has hit the DVD market. And the end is left wide-open for another season. Will there be one?

SDH SUBTITLES are provided in each of the 6 47-min episodes.
Bonus consists of 3 text interviews (Gillen, Hawes, Aird) and 5 text cast filmographies.

Identity theft episode details without spoilers:
1 SECOND LIFE- `Smith' steals the ID of veteran Justin, accused of hit & run. Revealing victim secrets of this and more ID cases may lead to the perpetrator. "Knowledge is power" and the ID thief gathers & uses facts of victims to catastrophic effect.

2 CHELSEA GIRL- A murderess takes the victim's ID & manages to keep one step ahead of IDU. Bloom risks much to save another victim while reacquainting himself with Adile. A thriller ending. Bloom's best dialogue line: "I'm feeling the `tough', Martha. I'm not feeling the `love'."

3 PARIAH- IDU must provide safety when a witness protection ID is leaked. Bloom's past gets in the way. Can he redeem himself and salvage the unit's duty? Will another child be lost?

4 REPARATION- Bloom revives his undercover role while on an IDU case. A fine line is drawn between criminal and victim. Bloom may be forced to choose between cover & living. His past will not release him even if that was his desire.

5 SOMEWHERE THEY CAN'T FIND ME- Can a mom saved from a car accident be a terrorist of a quarter century past? DNA and the IDU are needed to solve this complex mystery. It becomes more puzzling as the investigation continues. Again Bloom has a side issue.

6 TOMORROW- Bloom's 2 lives collide in a thriller suspense episode. Investigating a lover and continuing to hide a murder causes a crisis and conflict leading to this IDENTITY conclusion.

An exciting and novel form of crime fighting. And so techy.