NY Times review: Newton’s Law “good, escapist fun”

Newton’s Law has debuted in the US through online platform Acorn TV, which has previously screened A Place to Call Home, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Jack Irish, Janet King and 800 Words.

The New York Times has given it a promising review, noting the show is from Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger, creators of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries:

It’s also set in Melbourne, but beyond that it’s a thoroughly familiar type of show, a contemporary case-a-week courtroom drama crossed with a romantic comedy.

Domestic versions of those are easy enough to find. But “Newton’s,” while more ordinary than its predecessor, has a similar dry humor and quick, efficient storytelling style. If you’re a devotee of Phryne Fisher, you might afford an hour or two to give Josephine Newton a try.

Josephine (Claudia Karvan) is familiar in her own right. An idealistic lawyer who squeezes in the time to raise her teenage daughter, have amicable spats with her estranged husband and flirt with a handsome colleague, Josephine is a more serious version of Sarah Shahi’s character in “Fairly Legal” or a much less serious version of Alicia Florrick in “The Good Wife.”

It’s a good setup for physical comedy and high jinks, which are abetted by a pair of former clients, a car thief and an embezzler, who serve as her investigator and junior partner.

It’s good escapist fun, with better-than-usual writing and performances.  

ABC is yet to announce a second season.

Update: NYT has also praised Rosehaven as a “charming, gentle Australian comedy….. McGregor and Pacquola created the show, and their earnest friendship is intimate and tender. If you like “Gavin and Stacey,” “Please Like Me,” or sweet shows about regular people, try this.”