BBC Two's new five-part series The North Water, directed by Andrew Haigh and adapted from Ian McGuire's novel, sets sail this September. The drama follows a whaling voyage from Hull in 1859, blending blood, sweat and beards into a compelling yarn.
The plot centres on disgraced army surgeon Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell), who joins the whaling ship Volunteer haunted by his experiences in India. He must contend with the murderous harpoonist Henry Drax (Colin Farrell) and a malicious first mate Cavendish (Sam Spruell), who plot to kill him for a valuable ring.
Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham) is under orders from shipowner Baxter (Tom Courtenay) to sink the vessel for insurance money, adding further peril. The series features detailed seal-hunting and master-harpooning scenes, delivering visceral action alongside its character conflicts.
The drama is described as a well-executed adventure story, offering a warm bath of escapism without deep intellectual demands. It explores the twin poles of a man's soul through the struggle between Drax and Sumner, but remains essentially a satisfying, meaty stew for autumn viewing.
