While Shetland fans await the BBC show's return, From Darkness is the gripping crime drama alternative you need to watch. The crime drama stars a Line of Duty star and features actors from Outlander, This City Is Ours and Rebus.
Plot and Cast
Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters) stars as Claire Church, a former Greater Manchester police officer searching for a new chapter in life on the remote Western Isles with her partner Norrie and their daughter Megan. Peace and quiet proves hard to come by when four bodies connected to her past cases emerge, dragging Claire back into the dangerous world of detective work.
The BBC's official synopsis explains: "Claire Church decided to turn her back on a world of misogyny and chauvinism, where it seemed you had to think and act like a man to succeed." Finding herself ignored in the office and second place in her relationship with her married DI, Claire instead found solace in the remote Western Isles with her new man, Norrie, and daughter Megan.
Critical Reception
When it first aired in 2015, the show split audiences down the middle, though a great many viewers were swift to label it "gripping" and "very dark." On social platforms, one viewer posted: "#FromDarkness @BBC another brilliant drama from the Beeb! Keep 'em coming," while another commented: "Ab Fab TV. Dark, compelling, structured, all the things @BBC does well!!"
The Guardian labelled the drama as "intriguing." Meanwhile, The Telegraph noted that while Anne-Marie Duff gave a "compelling" performance, the series "had to work hard to detract from familiar concept."
Full Cast
Appearing alongside Anne-Marie Duff is Johnny Harris (Legends) as John Hind, Richard Rankin (Rebus) as Norrie Duncan, Luke Newberry (In The Flesh) as Anthony Boyce. Caroline Lee Johnson (Chef!) as Lola and Ben Batt (Toxic Town) as Chris Templeton, Lyndsey Marshal (Restless) as Lucy Maxley, Jim Cartwright (Little Voice) as Roy Marsh. Leanne Best (This City Is Ours) as Julie Hind, Naomi Ryan (Doctor Who) as Rosanna Templeton and Cora Tsang (Outlander) as Megan Duncan also star.
From Darkness is available to stream on U and Channel 4 now.
