The Expert

Synopsis

The Expert follows Dr. John Hardy (Marius Goring), a distinguished forensic pathologist working at London’s East Central Home Office Laboratory in the late 1960s. Each episode centers on Dr. Hardy’s meticulous investigations into suspicious deaths—ranging from industrial accidents to apparent homicides—where physical evidence holds the key. Hardy’s scientific rigor and calm demeanor guide him through complex autopsies and painstaking analyses of trace materials. Supported by a small team of technicians, he consults closely with Scotland Yard detectives, translating laboratory findings into courtroom testimony. Set against the backdrop of swinging-sixties London, the series blends procedural detail with human drama, contrasting Hardy’s methodical approach to crime-solving with the emotions and motivations of victims, suspects, and law enforcement. Without resorting to sensationalism, The Expert pioneered on-screen forensic science and laid groundwork for future crime dramas by demonstrating how methodical medical examination can unravel the most puzzling mysteries.

Cast

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  Marius Goring

  Dr John Hardy

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  Jeremy Sinden

  Price

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  Virginia Stride

  Susan Bartlett

Reviews

Although The Expert aired more than five decades ago, it enjoys a steady cult following. On IMDb, the series holds an impressive 8.8/10 rating based on user votes, with many viewers praising its pioneering role in bringing forensic pathology to television. One IMDb reviewer notes, “Marius Goring’s calm, authoritative presence makes every autopsy enthralling—there’s genuine suspense in watching him work through evidence.” Others highlight the show’s attention to procedural accuracy: “Even by modern standards, the lab scenes feel authentic,” writes a fan of vintage crime drama.

Professional aggregator sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic do not maintain official scores for The Expert; most contemporary critique comes from retrospective articles. In a 2015 feature on classic British TV, a Guardian contributor lauded the series as “a landmark forensic procedural that set the template for all crime shows to follow,” while The Telegraph’s television blog described it as “underrated” but “sometimes hindered by the era’s modest production values.”

Detractors point out that some episodes rely on formulaic plot structures—murder, lab work, reveal—without deeper character arcs beyond Dr. Hardy. A segment on Radio Times forum acknowledged that “the pacing can feel slow to those accustomed to modern thrillers,” yet conceded that “the scientific focus remains its greatest strength.” Overall, The Expert earns respect for its groundbreaking approach, strong lead performance, and lasting influence on the crime‐procedural genre, even if certain episodic conventions feel dated today.