Guilt ~ Première ~ Masterpiece PBS ~ tonight

SEASON PREMIERE

9/8c

The darkly comic Masterpiece Mystery! caper from Scotland returns in a four-part sequel, revolving around the intensely watchable Mark Bonnar as lawyer-turned-ex-con Max McCall, who’s barely been released from prison (over his role in a hit-and-run cover-up) when he gets embroiled in more twisty intrigue. All he really wants is revenge against Roy Lynch (Stuart Bowman, replacing Bill Paterson), the crime boss who helped seal his downfall. But first, the long road toward redemption and respectability leads Max to go into business with recovering alcoholic private eye Kenny (the endearing Emun Elliott). The plotting is a lot messier this time around, or maybe the Scottish accents got thicker? But Bonnar is terrific, and he’s matched by Downton Abbey veteran Phyllis Loganas Roy’s ex-wife Maggie, who may have some Lady Macbeth lurking beneath her wounded-sparrow surface. No one’s guilt-free in this scenario. (The first two episodes air Sunday, with two more to follow weekly)