No Offence guys but the women are the best thing about Paul Abbott’s new police drama say viewers

At the launch of his Channel 4 series No Offence, Paul Abbott said he hadn’t consciously written “strong female voices” into his show, because that was just a natural thing to do. “Everyone should write female voices strong.” Wise words.

Yet it’s still very unusual to have three women fronting a gritty, funny, intelligent TV drama – and viewers were thrilled. As Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It), Alexandra Roach (Utopia) and Elaine Cassidy (Harper’s Island) solved crimes with the help – and sometimes hindrance – of their male counterparts, Twitter was in awe of the female triumverate.

You don't notice how rare & brilliant it is to have well-written women on TV until you see them for yourself! #NoOffence

— madeleine hindes (@madeleinelily) May 5, 2015

I'll be asking myself what the women in #RaisedByWolves and #NoOffence do when I have any problems. Awesome role models!

— Juliet Leach (@juliet_leach) May 5, 2015

I like all these assertive women bossing @stejohnston about #NoOffence

— Katy Weir (@katyweir1983) May 5, 2015

Paul Abbott's #NoOffence soon on @Channel4 easily the best series I've seen so far this year. So smart and different, and top women on it.

— Clair Woodward (@Clairywoowoo) April 15, 2015

Strong female leads steal the show on #NoOffence. As irreverent as #Shameless too. Instant hook. #C4

— Margaret H (@curtainqueen) May 5, 2015

intrigue, strong female leads & thick manchester accents? paul abbott is back on form. #nooffence

— k@ himmel (@kathimmel) May 5, 2015

@GraceERead What was it?

— Roadkill (@Roadkill2104) May 5, 2015

More Joanna Scanlan in everything please #nooffence.

— sara huws (@sara_huws) May 5, 2015

And this Tweet summed it all up in perfect emojis…

@alexandraroach1 @ElaineCassidy_ and Joanna Scanlan…. ???????? #NoOffence

— Michael Lee (@yekim_mikey) May 5, 2015

Meet the cast and characters of No Offence

No Offence continues on Tuesdays at 9pm on Channel 4