Refreshing Scottish crime drama Annika is now on Netflix
Fans of character-driven detective dramas have a new reason to revisit Annika, the Scottish crime series starring Nicola Walker. The show, which earned strong ratings during its run on Alibi, is now available to stream on Netflix.
First broadcast in 2021, Annika ran for two series and quickly stood out from more conventional crime dramas. Its unusual mix of murder investigations, dry humour, striking Scottish scenery and direct conversations with the audience helped it develop a loyal following.
The series is led by Walker as DI Annika Strandhed, a detective who heads a newly established Marine Homicide Unit based in Glasgow. Her team investigates unexplained deaths connected to Scotland’s waterways, giving the drama a distinctive setting.
A detective who talks directly to the audience
One of Annika’s most distinctive features is the way its central character regularly breaks the fourth wall.
Rather than keeping viewers at a distance, Annika speaks directly to them as each investigation unfolds. She uses literary references, analogies and personal observations to discuss the cases, while also offering glimpses into her life away from work.
That approach has proved particularly popular with viewers who enjoyed the show’s mixture of mystery and humour.
Reviews on IMDb have praised the format, with viewers describing the direct-to-camera conversations as a clever way of making the audience feel involved in the story. Others have highlighted the writing, the performances and the dramatic Scottish landscapes.
One viewer called the concept a “genius format”, while another praised the series as a witty and refreshing change from more familiar detective dramas.
The response was also reflected in the show’s ratings. Annika became Alibi’s most-watched drama for at least seven years. The opening episode attracted 410,000 viewers, representing a 2.5 percent audience share, making it the channel’s highest-rated programme since BARB began recording figures in January 2014. UKTV later reported that 1.32 million viewers tuned in to the series, making it Alibi’s top-performing title at the time.
A Scottish setting with Norwegian roots
Although the television drama is firmly rooted in Scotland, Annika began life as a BBC Radio 4 drama called Annika Stranded.
The original radio series was set in Oslo and also starred Nicola Walker. For television, creator Nick Walker moved the story to Glasgow while retaining elements of the character’s Norwegian background.
The change of location gave the television series a strong visual identity. Filming took place primarily in Glasgow and along the River Clyde, as well as in locations across Argyll.
The Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock was used as the Marine Homicide Unit’s headquarters, while Annika’s home was located on the banks of Loch Lomond.
The scenery became an important part of the show’s appeal, complementing the darker murder investigations with expansive views of Scotland’s waterways and countryside.
Nicola Walker leads the cast
Walker plays DI Annika Strandhed, the detective at the centre of the story.
Silvie Furneaux plays Morgan, Annika’s teenage daughter, while Paul McGann appears as Jake Strathearn, a child therapist and Annika’s partner.
The wider cast includes Katie Leung, Jamie Sives, Ukweli Roach and Kate Dickie.
The personal relationships around Annika add another layer to the investigations. Her conversations with viewers provide a window into her thoughts, while her relationship with Morgan and Jake gives the series a storyline beyond the individual cases.
Fans wanted more after two series
Despite the show’s popularity, viewers were disappointed when its future became uncertain.
In August 2025, UKTV confirmed that there were no current plans for a third series. The announcement followed the show’s second series and left fans without confirmation of any further episodes.
That news was particularly frustrating for viewers who had become attached to the show’s unusual style. IMDb reviewers praised the performances, writing and fourth-wall-breaking format, with some saying they hoped the programme would continue for many more seasons.
Others compared its appeal with long-running mysteries such as Midsomer Murders and Murdoch Mysteries, while highlighting Annika‘s more unusual approach to the detective genre.
One reviewer described it as “superb” and praised its witty tone, natural humour between the characters and the distinctive conversations with the camera.
Now available to stream
For anyone who enjoys traditional British mysteries but wants something with a slightly different rhythm, Annika offers a combination of murder investigations, character drama, humour and Scottish scenery.
The series originally premiered in 2021 and concluded after two series. It is now available on Netflix, giving new viewers the opportunity to follow DI Annika Strandhed and the Glasgow-based Marine Homicide Unit from the beginning.
With its unusual fourth-wall device, Norwegian influences and distinctive Scottish setting, the series offers a different take on the familiar detective drama formula.
