Annika release date: Latest news on the Nicola Walker crime drama
The Unforgotten star plays DI Annika Strandhed in this crime drama series.
An acclaimed detective series starring Nicola Walker is getting a second chance in the limelight as Annika season 1 jumps ship from UKTV channel Alibi to a prime time slot on BBC One.
Walker plays the title role of fourth-wall breaking Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, who is transferred to Glasgow's Marine Homicide Unit, where she tackles unusual cases that wash up on Scotland's shores.
In addition to criminal investigations, the show chronicles the relationship between Annika and her daughter, Morgan (Silvie Furneaux), who are frequently in conflict with one another.
The series is inspired by BBC Radio 4's audio drama Annika Stranded, making this BBC One airing something of a homecoming, but the show will return to Alibi for its second season later this year.
Read on for everything you need to know about Annika, ahead of its premiere on BBC One tonight.
When will Annika air on BBC One?
Annika premieres on BBC One at 9:15pm on Saturday 20th May 2023, with new episodes due to air weekly from then.
The series previously aired on UKTV's Alibi from Tuesday 17th August 2021, and will return to the channel for its second season later this year.
Annika plot
The series follows Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, a woman of Norwegian ancestry who lives and works in Scotland, who has recently been transferred to Glasgow's Marine Homicide Unit.
In the TV series (penned by Perrier nominated writer Nick Walker), Annika oversees her unit and examines perplexing crimes across the waterways of Scotland. For more on that, check out our guide to where Annika was filmed.
All the while, she has a “brilliant yet complex” teenage daughter to contend with, who often accuses her of not understanding the perspective of a teenager in the modern world.
And in a novel twist compared to most crime dramas, Annika breaks the fourth wall in most episodes in order to explain her cases directly to the viewers watching at home – occasionally with some dry wit sprinkled in for good measure.
If you want more of an insight into the series, make sure to read our spoiler-free Annika review.
Annika cast
Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten) will play the titular DI Annika Strandhed, while Silvie Furneaux will play her daughter Morgan.
Also joining the cast are Jamie Lives (Guilt), Katie Leung (The Nest), Ukweli Roach (Blindspot) and Kate Dickie (The Cry), as well as Doctor Who's Paul McGann.
Here's a full overview of the Annika cast:
- Nicola Walker as DI Annika Strandhed
- Jamie Sives as DS Michael McAndrews
- Katie Leung as DC Blair Ferguson
- Ukweli Roach as DS Tyrone Clarke
- Kate Dickie as DCI Diane Oban
- Silvie Furneaux as Morgan
- Paul McGann as Jake Strathearn
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Annika trailer
You can watch the trailer for Annika from US broadcaster PBS Masterpiece right here.
Annika will air on BBC One on Saturday 20th May 2023 at 9:15pm. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
