And so, we return to the chilly waters of Glasgow’s River Clyde and whatever unfortune corpses may be found there for another season of maritime murder mystery. Annika season two is now available in the UK, streaming on NOW and Sky Go.
Adapted from BBC Radio 4’s audio drama Annika Stranded and starring Nicola Walker as the titular crimefighter, the hugely popular crime series follows the exploits of the Marine Homicide Unit, whose are of investigation is right there in the name. In between fishing floating bodies from the flowing waters, our dogged detective also struggles to connect with her teenage daughter, Morgan (Silvie Furneaux) and manages division in the ranks, mainly from Detective Sergeant Michael McAndrews (Jamie Sives), who thinks he should be leading the unit instead of her.
Our heroine also frequently freaks the fourth wall, talking to the audience directly: a neat wrinkle on the old film noir voice over narration.
As for this season? Well, according to the official synopsis:
“The team are challenged as their dynamics shift, pushing them to rapidly adapt as they encounter murders more complex than ever before. The crimes take them to new landscapes showing multiple sides of Scotland from the Hebridean Isles to the vibrant capital city Edinburgh. Meanwhile, Annika balances a family dynamic that grows more complicated as long-held secrets from the past begin to impact her relationships.”
Back for this season are Hogwarts alumnus Katie Leung as tech head Constable Claire Ferguson, Ukweli Roach as Detective Sergeant Tyrone Clarke, and former Doctor Who Paul McGann child therapist Jake Strathearn, Annika’s love interest. Is it Annika & I, perhaps?
The vast fields of British crime drama always yield a bumper cop, but Annika’s wry sense of humour and lively characterisation make it stand out from the rest of the crop. With season one already streaming, it’s a perfect time to dive in. And possibly mix a few metaphors while you’re at it.
