“Ripper Street” is, however, reasonably clever and sometimes even witty in its depictions of forward-thinking detectives pioneering the forensic methods and investigative procedures that will eventually become the grist for a thousand television shows. And in Jerome Flynn, Adam Rothenberg and particularly Matthew Macfadyen, it has a sharp and appealing group of actors to play its central cop triangle.
The undisputed star of the show is Mr. Macfadyen as Edmund Reid, a detective inspector with crusading instincts who wants both to modernize and to humanize the police force.
The fun of the show comes partly from the interplay among these actors, and partly from the way it juxtaposes the muck and murderousness of the East End shortly after the days of Jack the Ripper (hence the title) with the onset of the modern world.
Hitfix sat down with Matthew Macfadyen at the TCA Winter Convention to talk about the upcoming premiere of Ripper Street on BBC America as well as his previous role in Anna Karenina.
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Macfadyen is perfectly presentable in jeans and a crewneck sweater that coordinates nicely with the blue of his eyes.
But the look is far from the elegant attire he wore as Mr. Darcy opposite Keira Knightley's Elizabeth in the 2005 film "Pride & Prejudice." And his posture is just as casual, which he acknowledges might offend the aristocratic character's diehard fans.
"You're slouching! What are you doing? Stand up straight, man!" Macfadyen says, teasing himself.
Adam Rothenberg, who plays Captain Homer Jackson in Ripper Street, is the only American actor on the show. He appeared on The Couch to talk about his character, who happens to live in a brothel, Ripper Street, and what it felt like being an American on a British show.
Here are some of the comments made by the 
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Adam Rothenberg, who plays Captain Homer Jackson in Ripper Street, is the only American actor on the show. He appeared on The Couch to talk about his character, who happens to live in a brothel, Ripper Street, and what it felt like being an American on a British show.