'Best BBC detective drama yet' is on iPlayer as fans brand it 'exceptional'

Crime drama fans will be excited to know that an "exceptional" series has hit BBC's iPlayer. The second series of Annika, which originally aired on U&Alibi and stars Nicola Walker, is following in the footsteps of the first series after rave reviews and is now available to watch in the UK.

Based on the hit Radio 4 drama of the same name, the series introduces us to the brilliantly witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker), who heads up the Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) in Scotland. The team is tasked with getting to the bottom of several mysterious murders that wash up in the Scottish waterways, but many of them seem to be both unexplainable and unfathomable. Annika makes the audience her confidante, sharing her wry observations on the case and her life along the way.

UKTV's official synopsis explains the plot of the programme, as they said: "Meanwhile, Annika balances a family dynamic that grows more complicated as long-held secrets from the past begin to impact her relationships.

"As always, Annika breaks the fourth wall, sharing her wry and humorous observations through a literary lens, alongside raising her brilliant yet complex teenage daughter, Morgan."

Alongside Walker, other key cast members for season 2 include Katie Leung as DC Blair Ferguson, Jamie Sives as DS Michael McAndrews, Ukweli Roach as DS Tyrone Clarke and Kate Dickie as DCI Diane Oban.

The season also features two Doctor Who stars in major roles, with Varada Sethu playing DC Harper Weston and Paul McGann playing Jake Strathearn.

The show has been a huge hit so far. When the first series aired on Alibi in 2021, it broke records to become the channel's most-watched drama for at least seven years. Then, when it hit BBC two years later, fans raved about the show once more.

Wiewers and critics have called it "exceptional" with "all the makings of a Vera-like long-runner". Nicola Walker's performance also received endless praise as she was called "wonderful".

UK fans won't have to wait much longer to get their next fix of the show. The first episode will air on BBC One on Saturday, August 2, at 9.10pm. Then, all six episodes will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from the same date.