Ripper Street: 10 Victorian Period Quotes From Seasons 1 and 2 Of The Dark Drama Series

Following the aftermath of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror, a Detective Inspector and his team navigate the gritty streets of London, unraveling intricate mysteries while confronting the city's darkest secrets and battling against corruption, crime, and societal upheaval.

Step into the dimly lit streets of Victorian London, where the echoes of the Ripper's terror still linger, in the gripping BBC series, Ripper Street. Below are 10 great quotes from seasons one and two.

For the uninitiated:

Consisting of five seasons, Ripper Street follows Detective Inspector Edmund Reid's pursuit of justice as head of H Division in the bloody streets of 1889's Whitechapel, London's East End. Played by Matthew Macfadyen (Succession), Reid is unwavering in his commitment to solving murders, all while he and his wife, Emily Reid, played by Amanda Hale (A Discovery of Witches), are struggling to cope with the death of their daughter.

"We fight. We fight with all the skills we may muster. Beyond that, we may do no more."

Det. Inspector Edmund Reid

The King Came Calling - S1 Ep3

Joining him on the mission to free the streets of London's most dangerous criminals is Detective Sergeant Bennet Drake, played by Jerome Flynn (Game Of Thrones), a former soldier with a troubled past, whose loyalty to Reid is unwavering despite his inner demons. Also, there's Captain Homer Jackson, played by Adam Rothenberg (Ozark), an American surgeon turned forensic expert whose expertise aids the team in deciphering the city's grisly crimes.

Susan Hart also known as Long Susan played by MyAnna Buring (The Witcher) is the wife of Captain Jackson. Long Susan is the madam of the Tenter Street brothel, where the secrets collected often benefit Inspector Reid's cases. Charlene McKenna (Vienna Blood) plays the resilient Rose Erskine an employee of Long Susan's brothel.

Together, these complex characters navigate the treacherous alleys of Whitechapel, each haunted by their pasts as they strive to bring justice to a city on the brink of transformation.

"I make my home where men’s fear lies. I fight it for them."

Preacher

Actor: Stuart Bunce

The King Came Calling - S1 Ep3

"Money never begat courtesy, Bennet."

Det. Inspector Edmund Reid

The King Came Calling - S1 Ep3

"I have little clemency for men behind desks in high places with low honor."

Madoc Faulkner

Actor: Iain Glen

The Weight of One Man's Heart - S1 Ep5

"In extremis extremity. Those who need it most in this cruel city find mercy least."

Madoc Faulkner

The Weight of One Man's Heart - S1 Ep5

"No man’s heart aches forever, I promise you."

Capt. Homer Jackson

The Weight of One Man's Heart - S1 Ep5

Obsessions are addictions. Which may not be defeated by actions in the physical world, but by a change of temper in the mind.

Det. Inspector Edmund Reid

What Use Our Work? - S1 Ep8

Do you know, inspector, of all the emotions, which is the most insidious and entrapping? shame. it carves its home in the marrow of your bones and rests there for all time.

Dr Karl Crabbe

Actor: Anton Lesser

Am I Not Monstrous? - S2 Ep2

"I do not pretend to understand the things that love makes men do. But every man I've known has suffered for it."

Actor: Andrew Tiernan

Threads of Silk and Gold - S2 Ep5

"Evil men do as they please, men who would be good, they must do as they are allowed."

Det. Inspector Edmund Reid

Our Betrayal: Part 2 - S2 Ep8

Created by Richard Warlow, Ripper Street's episodes were written by Warlow, Toby Finlay, and Rachel Bennette. The directors were Andy Wilson, Anthony Byrne, Tom Shankland, and Kieron Hawkes. The series was executive produced by Will Gould, Ed Guiney, and Andrew Lowe. The series ran from 2012–2016 and is currently available on Peacock and Prime Video.

As always, thanks for making it this far, and if you think there are some great quotes from seasons one and two that I missed, let me know.

Keep it interesting, Stay Channel Surfing!

-Damian