The gripping ITV crime series Waterside has made a triumphant return to screens, with its second season now available to stream on ITVX. The show, which first launched in January 2025, has garnered a fervent fanbase who praise its intense storytelling and superb performances, with many claiming it surpasses the likes of Happy Valley.
A Promoted Detective and a Personal Case
Reprising her role, Sophie Rundle – famed for her part in Peaky Blinders – returns as Detective Jo Marshall. Having been promoted from constable, Jo now faces a baffling new murder investigation that strikes a deeply personal chord. The discovery of a body following a devastating wildfire on the moors sets her on a dangerous path.
The official synopsis reveals that as tensions rise in the fictional Yorkshire town with the threat of moorland fires and potential flooding, Jo's pursuit of the killer brings her into direct conflict with the town's powerful elite. This draws her into a covert operation to uncover corruption that has plagued the local police force and her own family for decades.
Acclaimed Cast and Creative Team
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Alongside Rundle, viewers will see Olivier nominee Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Bridgerton) and Philip Glenister (Life on Mars). The scripts are penned by BAFTA-nominated writer Mick Ford, acclaimed for his work on Ashes to Ashes and adaptations of Harlan Coben's novels such as Stay Close and The Stranger.
While the first season used a catastrophic flood as its backdrop, this new chapter explores the opposite extreme of climate change, focusing on the peril of moorland fires, as reported by the Express.
Viewers and Critics Heap Praise
Audiences have flocked to platforms like IMDb to express their admiration for the drama. One viewer declared the show "gets better and better with each episode", while another raved it was "the best thing on TV at the moment", full of tension and drama. A third boldly stated, "it's so much better than Happy Valley and Fool Me Once".
The critical reception has been equally warm. The Guardian highlighted Sophie Rundle's compelling performance, and The i Paper awarded the series four stars, praising Nicholas Gleaves' turn as DS Phil Mackie as "the best TV villain in years".
With its nail-biting plot, stellar cast, and timely environmental themes, Waterside Season 2 solidifies its position as a must-watch British crime thriller.
