Over a decade after its original broadcast, the BBC crime drama 'River' has been rediscovered by viewers, with many hailing it as a 'masterpiece' and a must-watch for fans of shows like 'Unforgotten' and 'Broadchurch'. The six-part series, starring Stellan Skarsgård and Nicola Walker, is now available to stream for free on ITVX after previously being released on Netflix.
The series follows Detective Inspector John River (Skarsgård), who is haunted by the murder of his friend and colleague DS Jackie 'Stevie' Stevenson (Walker). As he investigates her death, River struggles to conceal his declining mental health from his superiors to avoid being removed from the force.
A synopsis for the show reads: 'The stages of his grief mark River's growing bonds with those he has excluded from his heart and his mind, and when a murder suspect jumps to his death whilst being pursued by River, the pressure and scrutiny that surrounds him escalates fast.' It adds: 'As the investigation into Stevie's murder begins to reveal her deepest secrets, River has to question everything he thought he knew about his one true friend.'
Viewers have praised the series for its originality and emotional depth. One fan described it as 'the most original detective story I've come across thus far', while another called it 'pure cinema' and compared it favourably to 'The Wire'. A third commented: 'The impact of this show is astonishing. It's so much more than a detective series, and Stellan Skarsgård gives a performance that will take your breath away.'
Despite calls for a second series, Nicola Walker has expressed satisfaction with the show's conclusion, telling Good Housekeeping: 'I kind of like that it was a really good story well told, a one-off six episodes. Not everything has to be returned to. It's one of my favourite things that I've ever been involved in.' However, she noted that Skarsgård would be open to reprising his role if award-winning writer Abi Morgan were to return.
