ITV's new crime thriller Winter, starring Richard Armitage, has been branded "Silent Witness mark two" by viewers, although some complained about its gruesome scenes.
Armitage, known for his roles in Netflix's Harlan Coben dramas, plays forensic pathologist Dr Ethan Winter in the six-part series. The show follows him as he investigates complex and unexplained murders, examining victims' bodies to find evidence to catch the culprits.
Viewers compare Winter to Silent Witness
It did not take long for audiences to draw comparisons with the BBC's long-running drama Silent Witness, which also centres on a team of pathologists. One fan posted on X: "So is this Silent Witness ITV style?" while another called it "ITV's answer to Silent Witness."
A third viewer remarked: "Forensic pathologist gets involved in sorting crimes…this is Silent Witness Mark 2." Others praised the new drama, with one writing: "OMG brilliant - want more now!" and another saying it "looks promising." Someone else added: "How refreshing for a new tv crime series…no foul language..! Well done, ITV1. Excellent start."
Graphic scenes spark complaints
Despite the praise, some complained minutes into the first episode as Winter and his team cut open the frozen body of a young woman found at the back of a truck. ITV had previously warned viewers of "graphic scenes of violent death," but some fans were still taken by surprise.
What to expect in episode two
Winter returns for episode two next Wednesday night, and ITV has released a teaser. The synopsis reads: "Still haunted by the tragedy that shattered his life 10 years earlier, Dr Ethan Winter is called to a gruesome crime scene at a Bristol demolition site."
"The victim, a man in his fifties, appears to be a construction worker with catastrophic head injuries - but there's one horrifying detail no one can explain: his face has been peeled away."
"Using his unique forensic insight, Winter quickly establishes the victim never worked on the site and that his body was dumped there after death."
Winter continues every Wednesday at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.
