The Frankenstein Chronicles

In 19th century London, Inspector John Marlott is pulled into a string of grisly deaths that don't fit any ordinary criminal pattern. The bodies turn up with signs that suggest a scientific hand, and Marlott's inquiries lead him through fogbound alleys, morgues and drawing rooms where ethics and ambition collide. He teams up with a young pathologist, and together they follow fragmentary evidence, witness statements and rumors about someone trying to animate the dead. The tone mixes police procedural with gothic horror, and the series keeps its focus on the investigation and the social forces that let such experiments happen, without giving away the darker turns it takes later on.

Created by Benjamin Ross and first released in 2015, the show stars Sean Bean as John Marlott, with Richie Campbell and Ed Stoppard in key roles. Production favors period detail and atmospheric cinematography, reflecting its roots in classic gothic literature while presenting original scripts.

Critics gave the series mixed to generally positive reviews, reflected in audience scores around a 6.9 out of 10. Reviewers tended to praise the mood, performances and historical texture, while some found the pacing uneven. Major themes include the ethics of scientific progress, social inequality in Victorian London, and how obsession warps people and institutions.

Though it didn't dominate major awards circuits, the series drew attention for its production design and the way it blended crime drama with supernatural suggestion. Sean Bean's lead role helped raise the show's profile beyond typical niche audiences, attracting viewers who like literary adaptations and period mysteries.

The Frankenstein Chronicles has had a modest cultural footprint, noted for reworking Mary Shelley elements into a detective format and for inspiring similar period-horror hybrids on television. Its blend of forensic detail and gothic mood made it a go-to recommendation for fans wanting a darker, more methodical take on Frankenstein themes rather than a straight horror reboot.