Viewers have hailed the British Nordic noir crime drama Marcella as the ideal replacement for hit shows like Luther and The Fall. The series, which stars Anna Friel as Detective Sergeant Marcella Backland, is available to stream for free on ITVX and has garnered widespread acclaim for its gripping storytelling and complex characters.
A Worthy Successor to Luther
Luther, featuring Idris Elba, captivated audiences for nearly nine years before concluding in January 2019. Since then, fans have been searching for a police drama to fill the void. Marcella, created by Swedish screenwriter Hans Rosenfeldt of The Bridge fame, has emerged as a top contender. Critics and viewers alike have praised it as a 'sublime and magnificent' series that delivers intense, addictive viewing.
Award-Winning Performance by Anna Friel
Anna Friel's portrayal of DS Marcella Backland earned her the International Emmy Award for Best Actress in 2017. The series follows Backland as she returns to the Metropolitan Police's murder squad after her husband leaves her, investigating a case that feels disturbingly familiar. The ensemble cast includes Nicholas Pinnock, Ray Panthaki, Jamie Bamber, Jack Doolan, Amanda Burton, Sophia Brown, and Aaron McCusker. Filming took place in London and the Port of Dover.
Critical and Viewer Acclaim
One critic described Marcella as 'complex, ultradark, and filled with more red herrings than an Agatha Christie novel,' calling it a 'unique, powerful crime drama.' Another noted that the show 'allows its central strong female character to have flaws.' Viewers have echoed this sentiment, with one fan calling it 'dark, gripping, suspenseful — basically, the female version of Luther.' On IMDB, a user wrote: 'Very good British crime... on the same level as Luther.' Another added: 'A MUST-SEE! I was GRIPPED! If you love thrillers, awesome plot twists and who-dunnits then this is 100% for you!'
Binge-Worthy Series with Three Seasons
Marcella first aired on ITV in April 2016, with a second season in February 2018. The third and final season was released worldwide on Netflix in June 2020 and on ITV in January 2021. Fans have praised the show's evolution, with one viewer stating: 'Season 3... Sublime! Wow started S3 and it's already better than 1 and 2 combined.' Another fan said: 'I binged all three seasons in just as many days... Hands down, BEST crime show I've seen since The Killing.' The series is available to stream for free on ITVX and with a subscription on Netflix.
