de3206 Despite people claiming it is only a British knock off of the US series, "House" (the creator admits he was inspired by the series, so there is no skullduggery), I am a big fan, and wish they had made more.It is only like "House",in that it is a hospital drama.Nesbitt plays Monroe, and unlike "House", he is not a neurotic and not addicted to pain killers.He is a delightful fellow, with the same problems as anyone else, and has a fun pleasant sense of humor, not acerbic and ogomaniacal like "House".I loved "House", don't get me wrong, and as an American I might be expected to be the first to cry "foul".But I don't, because "Monroe" is original, funny, and Nesbitt makes it a joy to watch.

megaenk Deeply disappointed that after two series ITV has decided not to renew this medical drama starring James Nesbitt and other talented people. It was interesting comparing the character of Mr Monroe - a talented brain surgeon but a bit of a mess as a man - with the American television series character Dr House (played by Englishman Hugh Laurie) who is also a brilliant doctor but a deeply flawed human being.I didn't know much about the medical system and how it works in the UK, and if for nothing else, Monroe educated me a bit about it. Plus there was good characters with interesting relationships, although some did feel a bit forced. But this show had at least one more series to it, so I hope people will watch the first two to see what I mean.

TheLittleSongbird I agree it may be lacking a tad in subtlety and originality, and the characters are slightly clichéd, but man did I love Monroe. It was a compelling, well-acted and well-written series that also does well in conveying any complexities and difficulties in the profession. I too don't understand the House comparison, the only two similarities I can think of at the top of my head are that they are set in a hospital and that both characters are cynical, House more so. Monroe has high production values, sharp, smart and witty writing, good direction and story lines that while not exactly original are more than benefited by the way they're paced and constructed. Monroe has excellent acting too, James Nesbitt is absolutely brilliant as his cynical yet fun character, and while Sarah Parish's role is less showy she does an excellent job with it. In conclusion, a great series and well worth catching. 9/10 Bethany Cox

ianlouisiana We've had maverick cops,maverick lawyers,a maverick judge,maverick bus crews,maverick politicians,maverick sailors from old King George's golden days and now ITV has produced for our delectation a maverick brain surgeon played with lip - smacking relish by Mr James Nesbitt,a man who has never knowingly underacted,and he doesn't let us down in "Monroe",which may not be subtle,but by golly it is compelling viewing. You may,if you wish,merely sit back and count the clichés,but if you simply let it wash over you and enjoy Mr Nesbitt's mesmerising display of eye - narrowing,facial tics,brief grins and outright double takes,"Monroe"is hugely enjoyable. Set in a good,old - fashioned Edwardian English hospital with absolutely no frills it lacks the anaesthetised,antiseptic aura American hospital soaps - however better - made - all seem to possess. We are deep in NHS country here,no gently swishing doors and dulcet bells,these doctors,nurses and patients are all involved together in a struggle to make things work at all,let alone quietly and discreetly. Within these parameters Monroe grapples with his perhaps over - familiar demons (dead teenage daughter,failing marriage,stroppy student son)whilst mentoring budding surgeons and struggling with inter - departmental politics. The stuff,then,of every medical soap on British TV since "Emergency Ward Ten". But "Monroe" actually benefits from Mr Nesbitt's larger than life performance which makes him the focus of all eyes whenever he's on screen,as it does from Miss Sarah Parish's rather less showy turn in the battle of the egoes as a cardiac surgeon with a dysfunctional home life - his mirror - image of course but he's too full of male arrogance to see it. It's pedigree may be plainly discerned,but that does not make "Monroe" a bad show by any means. It kept me out of the pub every Thursday night for it's whole run and if a second series is commissioned I'm sure that will do the same trick.