Marcella, ITV: Anna Friel, Scandi-noir, and four other things to know about the new crime thriller

The new dark crime thriller comes from the creator of The Bridge
Ben Travis4 April 2016

If you’re gutted that Happy Valley has finished on the BBC and you need a new dark and gritty crime series to get stuck into, ITV have got you covered.

Marcella will be airing for the next two months on Monday nights, and it’s going plenty of mysterious goings-on that you’ll want to see unfold.

Here are six things you need to know about the show.

1) Anna Friel takes the lead role

The Manchester actress has made a name for herself from Hollwood blockbusters (Limitless, Land of the Lost) to cult TV hits (Pushing Daisies), and soaps (Emmerdale and Brookside).

Now she’s back as DC Marcella Backland, a former police officer who returns to the force when a serial killer she never managed to track down back in the day seems to have returned.

That’s not her only problem – her 15-year has suddenly broken down, and she suspects that her partner has been having an affair.

Then there’s the very opening scene (not too spoilery, but stay away if you want to go in totally blind) which sees Marcella, grimy and bloodied, sat naked and shaking in a bath – what happened in the space of 12 days that took her to this place?

ITV

2) It’s pronounced Mar-chella

Don’t call her Mar-sella. She doesn’t like that.

3) It’s from Scandi-noir master Hans Rosenfeldt

The booming popularity of Scandinavian crime thrillers has been inescapable in recent years – from The Killing to Borgen.

Marcella comes from Hans Rosenfeldt, behind the original Swedish / Danish version of The Bridge. Those who have been looking for a new Scandi-noir series will find a lot to like here.

It’s ominous and moody, even if the knitwear isn’t as good.

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4) It’s still got a very ‘London’ feel

Despite the Scandi vibes, Marcella is also characterised by its city. The Shard looms ominously in the background, while night-time scenes hum with the energy of the capital, and one sub-plot concerns the development of Lambeth.

5) It’s darker than your usual ITV drama

Fans of Scandi-noir series will have an idea of what to expect in terms of how grim and intense Marcella will go, but those expecting a simple mystery drama might want a pillow to hide behind.

ITV

6) Lady Edith from Downton is in it

There’ll be a familiar face for fans of Downton Abbey – Laura Carmichael, known for playing Lady Edith in the period drama, plays a significant role in the plot here.

ITV, 9pm

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