The British crime drama landscape, long dominated by the likes of Vera and Midsomer Murders, is about to be rocked to its core. ITV’s latest offering, The Reckoning, premiering on March 16, 2026, on ITVX, is not just another police procedural—it’s a gut-wrenching, bone-chilling descent into a world of secrets, betrayal, and tragedy that critics are already calling “the most devastating detective drama in years.” Starring Line of Duty powerhouse Adrian Dunbar as retired detective Tom Radley and Shetland legend Douglas Henshall as his enigmatic neighbor Jack Miekel, this six-part thriller weaves a narrative so raw and relentless that it’s poised to redefine the genre. Forget cozy countryside mysteries—this is a dark, suffocating journey that digs deeper, cuts sharper, and lingers long after the credits roll. With a teaser trailer that’s already sparked a frenzy on X and early reviews warning “this one will break you,” The Reckoning is the must-watch event of 2026. Here’s why this gritty drama is set to shatter hearts and expectations.
A Haunting Premise
The Reckoning centers on Tom Radley (Dunbar), a retired detective living a quiet life in the fictional Yorkshire village of Coldwater. Haunted by a career spent chasing killers, Tom has settled into a routine of gardening and solitude, trying to outrun the ghosts of cases unsolved. But when Jack Miekel (Henshall), a charismatic but unsettling newcomer, moves into the cottage next door, Tom’s peace is shattered. Jack, a former journalist with a murky past, casually utters a phrase—“the devil’s in the details”—that Tom recognizes from a decades-old, unsolved murder case that cost him his marriage and nearly his sanity. Was it a coincidence, or is Jack hiding a sinister connection to the crime?
The teaser trailer, released on September 9, 2025, sets a chilling tone. Against a backdrop of Yorkshire’s windswept moors, we see Tom, grizzled and weary, staring at a faded case file under lamplight. “You ever wonder what you missed?” Jack’s voice taunts in voiceover as rain lashes the screen. The trailer cuts to a grainy flashback—a young woman’s body in a ditch, police lights flashing—before snapping to Jack’s sly smile at a village pub. The final shot, a heart-stopping moment of Tom holding a gun to Jack’s head in a darkened barn, has fans buzzing with questions: Is Jack a killer? A witness? Or something far worse?
Written by Kris Mrksa (White House Farm, No Escape), The Reckoning draws inspiration from real-life cold cases, weaving a fictional narrative that feels unnervingly authentic. The series explores not just the mechanics of a murder investigation but the emotional toll of chasing justice in a world where truth is slippery. “This isn’t about catching a villain,” Mrksa told Radio Times. “It’s about what happens when the past refuses to stay buried—and the cost of digging it up.” With a runtime of six hour-long episodes, the series promises a slow-burn mystery punctuated by relentless twists, each peeling back layers of betrayal that threaten to destroy Tom and those around him.
Powerhouse Performances
At the heart of The Reckoning is the electric chemistry between Adrian Dunbar and Douglas Henshall, two titans of British television. Dunbar, best known as Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line of Duty, brings a weathered intensity to Tom Radley. Gone is the polished suit and AC-12 bravado; here, Tom is a broken man, his face etched with regret, his hands trembling as he unearths a case he thought he’d left behind. “Tom’s not a hero,” Dunbar said in a BBC interview. “He’s a man who’s paid for his mistakes, and now he’s being asked to pay again.” Early clips show Dunbar at his rawest, his Belfast accent thick with emotion as he confronts Jack in a rain-soaked alley: “You think you can play me? I’ve seen men like you before.”
Henshall, fresh off his BAFTA-winning role as DI Jimmy Pérez in Shetland, delivers a performance that’s equal parts charming and chilling as Jack Miekel. His character is a master manipulator, his easy smile masking a darkness that keeps viewers guessing. “Jack’s the kind of guy who knows exactly what to say to get under your skin,” Henshall told The Guardian. A teaser scene shows him at a village fete, joking with locals, only for his eyes to lock onto Tom with a knowing glint. Henshall’s ability to shift from warmth to menace in a heartbeat makes Jack a figure of fascination and fear—is he a predator, a red herring, or a victim of circumstance?
The supporting cast is equally stellar. Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley) plays Ellen Radley, Tom’s estranged ex-wife, whose return to Coldwater stirs old wounds. Her scenes with Dunbar crackle with unspoken pain, particularly in a flashback where Ellen begs Tom to “let the case go.” Charlotte Riley (Peaky Blinders) is DS Ashleigh Francis, a young detective assigned to assist Tom, whose own secrets threaten to derail the investigation. Nadine Marshall (Sherwood) rounds out the ensemble as Maggie, a local librarian with ties to the original crime, her quiet demeanor hiding a pivotal role in the mystery. Together, this cast delivers performances that critics describe as “raw, soul-baring, and unforgettable,” elevating The Reckoning beyond standard crime fare.
A Suffocating Atmosphere
The Reckoning trades the sun-dappled charm of Vera’s Northumberland for a Yorkshire that feels oppressive and alive. Filmed on location in the Yorkshire Dales and Glasgow, the series captures a landscape of stark beauty—rolling moors, crumbling stone walls, and villages shrouded in mist. Cinematographer Ruth Paxton, known for her work on A Banquet, uses tight framing and muted colors to create a claustrophobic feel, as if the past is closing in on Tom. “Every shot feels like it’s holding its breath,” a Den of Geek review noted, praising the show’s ability to make even mundane settings—a pub, a church hall—feel menacing.
The score, composed by Natalie Holt (Loki), amplifies this tension. Haunting strings and dissonant piano notes underscore key scenes, while moments of silence let the weight of the dialogue sink in. A standout sequence in the teaser shows Tom walking through a fog-choked field, the sound of his footsteps mingling with a distant scream—is it real or a memory? This atmospheric dread, paired with Mrksa’s taut script, ensures that The Reckoning is as much a psychological thriller as a detective drama.
The series also leans into sensory details to immerse viewers. The creak of a cottage floorboard, the drip of rain on a tin roof, the faint smell of petrol in a flashback scene—all create a visceral experience. “It’s not just what you see,” director Andrew Cumming (Out of Darkness) said. “It’s what you feel—the paranoia, the guilt, the sense that something’s wrong.” This suffocating atmosphere sets The Reckoning apart from lighter fare like Midsomer Murders, drawing comparisons to Nordic noir classics like The Bridge.
Relentless Twists Unraveled
What makes The Reckoning truly devastating is its narrative structure—a labyrinth of twists that keeps viewers on edge. The central mystery revolves around the 1998 murder of a local teenager, Sarah Whitlock, whose case Tom failed to solve. Jack’s arrival and his cryptic reference to the crime force Tom to reopen old wounds, uncovering clues that suggest Sarah’s killer is closer than he ever imagined. Each episode introduces a new layer: a hidden witness, a falsified alibi, a piece of evidence that changes everything. “Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the rug gets pulled,” a Good Housekeeping critic raved after a press screening.
The teaser hints at multiple timelines, weaving between 1998 and 2026. Flashbacks reveal a younger Tom, played by Tom Riley (The Nevers), consumed by the Whitlock case, his obsession driving a wedge between him and Ellen. Present-day scenes show Tom grappling with memory gaps, questioning whether his own failures contributed to Sarah’s death. A chilling moment in the trailer has Jack whispering, “You were there, Tom. You just don’t remember.” Is Jack gaslighting him, or does Tom hold the key to the truth?
The twists extend beyond the crime itself. Ellen’s return to Coldwater reveals a secret she’s kept for decades, while DS Francis’s investigation uncovers corruption within the local police force, echoing Line of Duty’s moral complexity. Maggie, the librarian, emerges as a linchpin, her quiet revelations turning allies into suspects. “Every character is hiding something,” Mrksa teased, promising a finale that “will leave audiences floored.” X posts from early viewers echo this, with one user writing, “The Reckoning’s twists hit like a freight train. I’m still shaking.”
Emotional Depth Unleashed
What sets The Reckoning apart is its emotional punch. Unlike Vera’s cozy resolutions, this drama delves into the human cost of justice. Tom’s journey is one of redemption and ruin—his quest to solve Sarah’s murder reopens old traumas, forcing him to confront his failures as a husband and father. A teaser scene shows him breaking down in his cottage, clutching a photo of his estranged daughter, played by Tilly Kaye (Gentleman Jack). “I couldn’t save her,” he sobs, the line blurring between Sarah and his own child.
Finneran’s Ellen is equally heartbreaking. Her scenes with Dunbar are raw, their shared history palpable in every glance. “You chose the dead over the living,” she accuses in a heated exchange, her words cutting deep. Riley’s DS Francis, meanwhile, grapples with her own demons—a past mistake that threatens her career—making her a foil to Tom’s regret. Even Jack, the potential villain, has moments of vulnerability, with Henshall hinting at a backstory of loss that complicates his motives.
The series doesn’t shy away from broader themes. It explores grief, guilt, and the ripple effects of violence on a small community. Coldwater’s residents, from pub regulars to churchgoers, are drawn into the investigation, their secrets exposing the fragility of trust. “It’s a study of how the past shapes us,” Finneran told The Telegraph. “Everyone’s carrying something they can’t let go.” Critics praise this emotional depth, with The Guardian calling it “a drama that breaks your heart while keeping you on the edge of your seat.”
Fan Frenzy Ignited
The buzz around The Reckoning is electric. The teaser trailer, dropped on ITVX’s X account, has racked up over 500,000 views, with fans hailing it as “Line of Duty meets The Undoing.” Hashtags like #TheReckoningITV and #DunbarHenshall are trending, with posts like, “Adrian Dunbar and Douglas Henshall in one show? I’m not ready for this level of intensity.” Others warn, “This looks like it’ll wreck me. Stocking up on tissues.” The casting of Dunbar and Henshall, both beloved for their detective roles, has sparked comparisons to Happy Valley and Broadchurch, but early reviews suggest The Reckoning carves its own path.
Critics are equally enthralled. Digital Spy called it “a masterclass in tension,” while Den of Geek praised its “unflinching look at human frailty.” Some, however, caution that its darkness may alienate fans of lighter mysteries. “It’s not for the faint-hearted,” a Metro review noted, citing its graphic flashbacks and emotional weight. Still, the consensus is clear: this is ITV’s boldest drama in years, with Emmy buzz already circling Dunbar and Moore.
Cultural Resonance
The Reckoning arrives at a time when true crime and cold-case dramas dominate streaming. Its focus on an unsolved murder taps into public fascination with cases like Madeleine McCann or the Yorkshire Ripper, while its exploration of police corruption echoes Line of Duty’s AC-12 investigations. The Yorkshire setting, with its tight-knit yet secretive community, mirrors real-life rural scandals, adding authenticity. “It feels like it could happen in your village,” a fan tweeted, reflecting the show’s grounded terror.
The series also speaks to 2026’s cultural moment. With trust in institutions waning—recent UK polls show only 40% trust in police forces—Tom’s battle against corruption resonates. The portrayal of mental health, particularly Tom’s PTSD-like symptoms, adds a timely layer, reflecting growing awareness of trauma’s long-term impact. “It’s not just a whodunit,” Mrksa said. “It’s about who we become when justice fails.”
A Devastating Must-Watch
The Reckoning is more than a crime thriller—it’s a soul-shattering exploration of guilt, redemption, and the shadows that linger. Adrian Dunbar and Douglas Henshall deliver career-defining performances, their chemistry a powder keg of suspicion and sorrow. The suffocating atmosphere, relentless twists, and emotional depth make it a standout, poised to eclipse Vera’s cozy mysteries with its darker, deadlier edge. As the March 16 premiere looms, fans are bracing for impact, with X posts warning, “This one will break you.” Clear your schedule, steel your heart, and dive into The Reckoning—a drama that will haunt you long after the final frame fades to black.
