Marcella, a British Nordic noir crime drama starring Rochdale-born Anna Friel, has been hailed by viewers as the perfect replacement for Luther. The series is available to stream for free on ITVX.
What is Marcella About?
Created by Swedish screenwriter Hans Rosenfeldt, the creative force behind The Bridge, Marcella follows Detective Sergeant Marcella Backland, played by Anna Friel. The official plot states: 'Marcella Backland left the Metropolitan Police for the sake of her family, only to have her husband leave her. She returns to her job on the murder squad, investigating a case that seems disturbingly familiar to her.'
The series premiered on ITV in April 2016, with a second series airing in February 2018. The third and final season was released globally on Netflix in June 2020 and on ITV in January 2021.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
In 2017, Anna Friel won the International Emmy Award for Best Actress for her performance. Critics have praised the show, with one writing: 'Complex, ultradark, and filled with more red herrings than an Agatha Christie novel, Marcella is a unique, powerful crime drama.' Another reviewer noted: 'Marcella stands out as a show that allows its central strong female character to have flaws.'
Audiences have been equally captivated. One viewer wrote on IMDB: 'Very good British crime. On the same level as Luther.' Another called it 'dark, gripping, suspenseful. Basically, the female version of Luther.'
Why Watch Marcella?
Fans have described the series as 'sublime and magnificent.' One reviewer said: 'Season 3... Sublime! Wow started S3 and it's already better than 1 and 2 combined.' Another added: 'I binged all three seasons in just as many days. Hands down, BEST crime show I've seen since The Killing.'
The ensemble cast includes Nicholas Pinnock, Ray Panthaki, Jamie Bamber, Jack Doolan, Amanda Burton, Sophia Brown, and Aaron McCusker. Filmed in London and the Port of Dover, the series is available for free on ITVX.
