BBC Scotland's detective drama Annika, starring Shetland icon Jamie Sives, will be available on Netflix from Sunday, August 16. The series, which premiered on the BBC in 2021, earned an 83 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A unique twist
The comedic detective series follows DI Annika Strandhed, played by Unforgotten star Nicola Walker, who leads Glasgow's Marine Homicide Unit, investigating crimes and unexplained murders on Scotland's shores. The show's distinctive feature is Annika breaking the 'fourth wall' to address viewers directly throughout the series.
Alongside Walker and Sives, who plays DS Michael McAndrews, the cast includes Silvie Furneaux as Annika's teenage daughter Morgan, and Harry Potter star Katie Leung, known for her role as Cho Chang, who plays DC Blair Ferguson.
Fan reaction
Annika ran for two seasons from 2021 to 2023 before being cancelled, leaving many fans hoping for a third series. One IMDB reviewer wrote: "I ended up binge watching the entire catalogue, and was totally immersed! I think the way that the lead character breaks the fourth wall, is done very well." The reviewer added: "I am however very annoyed to find out that the BBC has cancelled this!"
Another viewer commented: "The lead character talking to the camera threw me for a bit, but once I got used to it, it was fine - and even a bit fun." They noted: "It's funniest when she doesn't talk, but just gives the camera a wry look and a shrug like, 'What can you do?'"
Praise for Walker's performance was abundant, with one fan saying: "Nicola Walker and the originality make it a must see." Another echoed: "This is the best series I've seen yet. The way Annika shares with the viewer is genius on the part of whoever came up with it."
Both seasons of Annika are currently available on BBC iPlayer, and the show will land on Netflix in the UK on August 16.
