ITV's new crime drama The Dark has premiered, drawing viewers into its unsettling world set in the pristine wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. The series, inspired by GR Halliday's best-selling novel From the Shadows, follows Detective Monica Kennedy (Laura Donnelly) as she investigates the discovery of a young man's body, which quickly leads to a hunt for a serial killer.
Where Was The Dark Filmed?
The six-part series was primarily filmed in the rural Scottish Highlands, with production taking place in Greenock, Inverclyde, the broader Glasgow region, and surrounding rural areas. Last September, Donnelly and co-star Mark Rowley were spotted filming at James Watt College's Finnart Street campus, as well as at Annexe Park, Fox Street, Newton Street, Cathcart Square, Inverclyde Academy, and St Mary's Primary School. Many scenes were also shot across Greater Glasgow's rural terrain, which served as a stand-in for the isolated Highlands.
Why Scotland Was Chosen
Writer Matt Hartley told the Royal Television Society that filming in Scotland was a major draw. “I grew up in the Peak District and live in Wales so the space and atmosphere in the Highlands and areas around where we were filming was intrinsic to me,” he said. “There's a line early on that says: 'This is where people come to bury bodies, not display them.' That was one of our key thoughts: this is a world of mystery, where people disappear.”
French-born director Gilles Bannier had different expectations about Scottish weather. He revealed: “It met all my expectations except one. I wanted these rolling clouds, amazing mist – the Scottish weather we all know. In fact, it was the most beautiful summer and autumn they've ever had in Scotland. So we were chasing a single cloud, a single drop of rain.”
Cast and Premiere
The series stars Laura Donnelly as DI Monica Kennedy and Mark Rowley as DC Connor Crawford, with Helen Baxendale portraying Bethany Morgan. The Dark premiered on Sunday, July 12, at 9pm on ITV.
