Nicola Walker's 'dark and twisty' UK crime drama Annika, previously aired on BBC, is now streaming on Netflix, giving the series a potential second life. The show, which starred the Unforgotten actress, has garnered a devoted following, with fans on Reddit praising its unique style and atmospheric storytelling.
Nicola Walker's career and the show's premise
Walker, 56, is known for her roles in Spooks, The Split, and Unforgotten. In Annika, she plays Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, who leads the newly-formed Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) in Glasgow. The show's synopsis explains that Annika regularly breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience, and she often references her Norwegian ancestry and culture.
Cast and broadcast history
The series also featured Jamie Sives, Katie Leung, Varada Sethu, Kate Dickie, and Paul McGann. It first aired on U&Alibi in 2023, with a second series following on BBC One in 2025. The show was based on the BBC Radio 4 audio drama Annika Stranded, which also starred Walker.
Despite its popularity, the BBC decided not to renew Annika for a third season, ending the series after 12 episodes. A BBC spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of the success of Annika on U&Alibi, but there are no current plans for a third series.”
Fan reactions and future prospects
With the show now on Netflix, fans have taken to Reddit to share their enthusiasm. One user, @Ecstatic-Mongoose454, commented: “I was pleasantly surprised to see Nicola Walker in this role. Her role in Unforgotten required her to be serious, even bad-humoured. In Annika she has an array of witty banter and talks to the camera like in The Office.” Another, @deleted, wrote: “I really REALLY love Annika. It’s so atmospheric and dark and twisty while also being funny, and goodness is it beautiful!”
The addition to Netflix has sparked speculation that a third season could be commissioned, as the streaming platform often revives cancelled series. However, no official announcements have been made regarding the show's future.
