Viewers have praised the ITV crime thriller Six Four, set across Scotland, for its dark atmosphere, twists and standout performances. The four-part series, released in 2023, stars Kevin McKidd, best known for playing Dr Owen Hunt in Grey's Anatomy and Tommy Mackenzie in Trainspotting.
The drama also features Vinette Robinson, James Cosmo and Alex Ferns. It follows serving police detective Chris, whose life is turned upside down when his daughter goes missing.
Plot and synopsis
The official synopsis reads: “Serving police detective, Chris, is provided with a startling revelation about an infamous, unsolved case that once divided the police when a local girl called Julie Mackie disappeared.”
“Now, reeling from the news that his own daughter has gone missing, Chris is approached by a journalist who tells him that fatal mistakes were covered up in Julie’s disappearance. Revisiting the case, Chris uncovers a series of undeniable errors, corruption and unbridled ambition.”
Meanwhile, Chris’ wife Michelle sets out to find their daughter herself, drawing on her experience as a former undercover officer. The synopsis continues: “As Chris fights to make sense of what he’s discovered, his wife Michelle, takes matters into her own hands in search of their daughter.”
Scottish setting and adaptation
Things become more complicated when the Justice Minister’s daughter is kidnapped, with similarities between the case and the disappearance of Julie Mackie. The synopsis adds: “While Chris and Michelle do everything they can to get to the truth, the daughter of the Justice Minister is suddenly kidnapped, just as the minister is on the cusp of achieving a political election victory. The kidnap has unnerving similarities to the Mackie case. Is the past repeating itself, or is the explosive truth of what really happened to Julie Mackie about to be revealed?”
Six Four is based on the novel of the same name by Japanese author Hideo Yokoyama. Writer Gregory Burke made major changes when adapting the story for TV, moving the setting to Scotland. Filming took place in Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Dumfries and Galloway.
Viewer reactions
The series has received praise from critics and viewers alike. One IMDb reviewer wrote: “Moody and dark, the main reason for watching this is Kevin McKidd who gives a stellar performance as a troubled police detective whose daughter has gone missing. McKidd's performance masterfully avoids the limitations of his character. Intense yet under played, McKidd turns in a slow burn performance that simply steals the show.”
Another viewer praised the atmosphere, writing: “I found this show to be highly engaging, thanks in no small part to the standout performances from McKidd and Coyle. With its bleak atmosphere, intricate plot, and ample intrigue, it evokes the feel of a Scandinavian crime drama.”
A third viewer said: “A few twists and turns leads the story from something that seemed complex into something more straightforward, revenge.”
Six Four is available to stream on ITVX for free.
