In a television landscape saturated with crime dramas, few manage to strike a perfect balance between intrigue, humor, and heartfelt character development. Annika, the Scottish black comedy crime series starring Nicola Walker and Jamie Sives, has emerged as a standout, earning praise as one of the finest detective dramas in recent memory. Premiering on Alibi in 2021 and later finding a broader audience on BBC One and PBS Masterpiece, this quirky show has captivated viewers with its unique storytelling and stellar performances. Set against the stunning Scottish coastline, Annika blends maritime mysteries with personal struggles, making it a refreshing addition to the genre. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this series a must-watch.
The heart of Annika lies in its titular character, Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, portrayed with remarkable finesse by Nicola Walker. Known for her roles in Unforgotten, The Split, and Last Tango in Halifax, Walker brings her signature warmth and wit to a detective who breaks the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience with literary references and personal reflections. This narrative device, borrowed from the BBC Radio 4 series Annika Stranded on which the show is based, sets Annika apart from conventional procedurals. Strandhed leads the newly formed Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) in Glasgow, tackling crimes that surface in Scotland’s waterways—murders by harpoon, bodies pulled from the River Clyde, and more. Her Norwegian heritage adds a cultural layer, with nods to folklore and literature like Moby-Dick and Ibsen, enriching each case with intellectual depth.
Joining Walker is Jamie Sives as DS Michael McAndrews, Annika’s second-in-command and the show’s emotional anchor. Sives, recognized from Guilt and Game of Thrones, plays a seasoned diver with a chip on his shoulder. Passed over for the MHU lead role, McAndrews grapples with resentment toward Annika while proving his worth through his underwater expertise. Their dynamic is a slow-burn highlight, evolving from tension to a complex partnership, especially with the revelation in Season 2 that McAndrews is the biological father of Annika’s teenage daughter, Morgan. This twist adds a layer of personal stakes to their professional rivalry, making their scenes crackle with unspoken history.
The supporting cast enhances the ensemble’s charm. Katie Leung (Harry Potter series) plays DC Blair Ferguson, the team’s tech-savvy analyst whose dry humor and youthful perspective offer a counterpoint to Annika’s intensity. Ukweli Roach (Grantchester) portrays DS Tyrone Clarke, a former drug unit officer seeking a career reboot, bringing a fresh energy to the team. Silvie Furneaux as Morgan, Annika’s rebellious daughter, grounds the series with family drama, while Paul McGann (Luther) adds intrigue as Jake Strathearn, Morgan’s therapist who becomes a surprising confidant for Annika. In Season 2, Varada Sethu (Doctor Who) joins as DS Harper Weston, injecting new dynamics into the unit.
Filmed primarily in Glasgow, along the River Clyde, and in scenic spots like Loch Lomond, Annika leverages its picturesque settings to enhance its moody atmosphere. The production began in December 2020, wrapping in April 2021, with a second season commissioned by August 2022. The show’s theme music, “Bringing Murder to the Land” by Anton Newcombe and Dot Allison, sets a haunting yet playful tone. Season 1 aired on Alibi in August 2021, moved to BBC One in May 2023, and reached U.S. audiences on PBS Masterpiece in October 2023. Season 2 debuted on Alibi in August 2023 and is set to air on BBC One on August 2, 2025, with all episodes available on iPlayer, reflecting its growing popularity.
The plot revolves around Annika’s leadership of the MHU, where each episode presents a self-contained mystery tied to water-based crimes. The premiere episode features a man killed by a harpoon, prompting Annika to muse on obsession via Moby-Dick. Subsequent cases involve a phone with a murder video, a missing girl, and a body vanishing from a boat, each solved with the team’s diverse skills. Beyond the cases, the series explores Annika’s strained relationship with Morgan, whose teenage angst clashes with her mother’s chaotic work life. Season 2 escalates the stakes with more complex murders and the revelation of McAndrews’ paternity, challenging Annika to balance her professional and personal worlds.
What elevates Annika is its blend of humor and heart. Annika’s fourth-wall breaks—delivering quips like “Death by harpoon suggests someone is trying to get a point across”—offer a meta-commentary that invites viewers into her mind. This technique, initially jarring, becomes endearing as it reveals her vulnerabilities, from awkward social stumbles to her struggles as a single parent. The show avoids the grimness of dramas like Happy Valley, opting for a lighter touch akin to Death in Paradise, though with a distinctly Scottish flair. Critics have noted its “droll dialogue” and “charming performances,” with some suggesting it restores faith in TV drama.
Reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Annika became Alibi’s most-watched drama in seven years, with its premiere episode drawing 410,000 viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 holds a strong audience approval rating, though early episodes faced mixed reviews for their shaky tone. Fans on social platforms praise Walker’s “flawless” portrayal and the show’s balance of detective work and family dynamics, with one calling the Season 1 finale “a WOW ending.” Critics, however, have pointed out occasional plot thinness and the fourth-wall gimmick’s uneven execution, with some preferring the original radio series’ intimacy. Still, the consensus is that Walker’s charisma and the cast’s chemistry carry the show beyond its flaws.
Comparisons to other detective dramas are inevitable. Unlike Broadchurch’s focus on community grief or Line of Duty’s procedural intensity, Annika thrives on character-driven storytelling. It shares Vera’s scenic appeal and Shetland’s atmospheric tension but distinguishes itself with humor and Annika’s literary lens. Walker’s departure from Unforgotten—where her character Cassie Stuart’s death shocked fans—marks a shift to a less somber role, showcasing her range. Sives’ McAndrews complements her with a grounded intensity, their interplay echoing classic detective duos but with a modern twist.
The series also tackles personal themes with nuance. Annika’s parenting challenges, including Morgan’s school play mishaps and her own boat-driving lessons, add levity. McAndrews’ discovery of his fatherhood introduces emotional depth, while Ferguson’s pregnancy in Season 2 weaves real-life into the narrative. These subplots avoid preachiness, offering a relatable portrayal of work-life balance in high-pressure jobs. The show’s humor—such as Annika’s Spanish translation skills aiding a case—keeps it engaging, while tension, like her suspect status in a personal connection, builds suspense.
As Annika prepares for its BBC return, anticipation grows for Season 2’s unresolved arcs. The addition of Sethu hints at new team dynamics, and the paternity reveal promises richer character exploration. In a genre often criticized for formulaic plots, Annika stands out by prioritizing relationships over convolution. It’s not the darkest or most complex mystery series, but its heartfelt performances and scenic backdrop make it a standout. For fans of witty detectives and scenic crime-solving, Annika—available on BBC iPlayer and PBS—offers a delightful escape, proving Nicola Walker and Jamie Sives are a duo worth watching.
