The crime drama has received widespread praise from viewers online.
03:02, Sat, Jul 4, 2026
The series premiered in 2021 (Image: BBC)
Crime drama lovers have been raving about a series they believe is amongst the best of the best. It centres on Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, who has relocated to Glasgow's Marine Homicide Unit. Annika's unit is tasked with investigating mysterious crimes and unexplained murders that wash up in Scotland's local waterways. As well as the complex murder investigations, the series also explores Annika's personal life, including her relationship with her teenage daughter, Morgan.
Unforgotten star Nicola Walker made her first appearance as the character in the BBC Radio 4 drama series Annika Stranded in 2013. During this, Annika worked for the Oslo police and investigated crimes linked to the fjord and waterways. When the series was adapted for television, the setting was moved to Scotland. Annika's unique aspect is that she frequently breaks the fourth wall, regularly confiding in the audience about her cases or personal life.
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"The hook is the fact that this is the only detective series where the audience is the silent sidekick," Walker previously said. "We are in cahoots with her."
Annika premiered in 2021 before the second series was released two years later. Along with Walker, it features Dept. Q. star Jamie Sives, Harry Potter and Bridgerton actress Katie Leung, Ukweli Roach, Doctor Who's Varada Sethu and Game of Thrones actress Kate Dickie.
Despite being cancelled after just two series, Annika has received widespread praise from viewers online.
One fan wrote on IMDb: "This series is the best acted and best series I've seen yet. The way Annika shares with the viewer is genius on the part of whoever came up with it. Endearing and well written. I hope it lasts longer than Murdoch Mysteries and Midsomer Murders. Excellent with 10+ stars. From this posting, you can tell I really, really like this show. Well done!"
Nicola Walker stars as Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed (Image: BBC)
Another echoed: "#Annika is the best #BBC detective drama I’ve seen for ages. Plus I think @NicolaWalkerHQ is one of the finest actors we have right now. A must watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it."
A third posted: "I found myself beginning to get into it and ended up binge watching the entire catalogue, and was totally immersed! I think the way that the lead character breaks the fourth wall is done very well. I am however very annoyed to find out that the BBC has cancelled this, and on a cliffhanger!!!"
A fourth added: "Love this. A breath of fresh (Scottish/Nordic) air. Some are against the asides/fourth wall breaking part of this series, but this is what freshens the new crime procedural up, there are already plenty of these about. Not that it couldn't stand by itself without it, but for me it does add to the programme rather than take away. And it fleshes out the main character too.
"Nicola Walker is a well deserved acclaimed actress already, but she handles this aspect superbly, as well as putting in her normal top quality performance. Then we have an engaging supporting cast, and most importantly the fabulous setting, which somehow reflects even better the wilds of Scotland than even other acclaimed series/programmes set up there."
