Latest news with #AnnikaStrandhed
Wales Online
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Nicola Walker's Annika won't return
Nicola Walker's Annika won't return The 55-year-old actress starred as DI Annika Strandhed in two series of the detective drama The hit series has been axed and won't return for future seasons (Image: UKTV) Nicola Walker's Annika won't return for a third series. The 55-year-old actress starred as DI Annika Strandhed in two series of the detective drama in 2021 and 2023, but now UKTV, who broadcast the show on U+Alibi, have confirmed that, despite ending on a cliffhanger, audiences will be left hanging because there are no plans to make any more episodes. A spokesperson told "We are incredibly proud of the success of Annika on U+Alibi, but there are no current plans for a third series." Annika was based on the BBC Radio 4 audio drama, Annika Stranded, in which Nicola also played the lead role, and was known for the Marine Homicide Unit detective regularly breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience. Nicola previously admitted it took some time to get used to the unconventional way of bringing viewers insight into Annika. She said: "With most characters there is so much subtext. But there is no subtext with Annika because the subtext is her talking directly to you and telling you what she feels. By the end, we are going to know her as well as she knows herself. "On the first day, I kept stopping and laughing. It felt so wrong. But by the end, I was so into it, I was flicking looks at the camera all the time. I'm very worried about my next job now – 'Why does she keep looking down the lens?' It might have ruined me for the future!" But she explained the device was essential when it came to adapting the original audio drama. Article continues below She said: "When he started talking about a television series, my first question was, how would you populate the world which has previously only been in Annika's head? Nick [Walker, write] said immediately, 'We're going to break the fourth wall!' "So, she still has Norwegian heritage, she is still an outsider, and she still has a different way of coping with life and work, but the hook is the fact that this is the only detective series where the audience is the silent sidekick. We are in cahoots with her."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC crime drama hailed 'flawless' but viewers have one complaint about Scottish scenery
British television actress Nicola Walker steps into the lead role of this six-part BBC crime drama Annika, which has just released a second series. A Scottish crime drama has captivated audiences with its stunning panormic scenes. However, viewers had one complaint after tuning into the BBC programme. The mystery-thriller, Annika, follows detective inspector Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker) who works for Glasgow's marine homicide unit, uncovering the puzzling crimes and unexplained murders that wash up on the shores of Scotland's waters. Boasting six-parts, it makes it a perfect short binge to get stuck into. Meanwhile, those looking for similar programmes, another good Scots crime series that has been making headlines is The Loch on Netflix. Viewers and critics soon left their reviews for Annika, which were mixed. It comes as the BBC have just released its second six-part series, both of which are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. One critic voiced their complaint of the series, which left them feeling 'distracted' when watching. They wrote: "I am very intrigued by the idea of a marine homicide unit itself, if only for the scenery provided. The show rightly places weight on its panoramic views. One from Annika's boss' office windows, is so stunning I can hardly pay attention to the scene." "We hang on Annika's every word because she's played with mischievous bite by the wonderful Nicola Walker...," concluded another fellow critic. However another critic wrote: "there's so much time spent introducing characters the crime itself seems an afterthought. Then again, it's the characters that make Annika stand out in a crowded market." Meanwhile, viewers opinions also varied as some say it just "didn't work" and some even called it "dreadful", whilst others praised Nicole Walker's "flawless" acting throughout the short BBC series. One person wrote: "Awesome British crime drama. The writing and the acting are excellent. Nicola Walker (Annika) is flawless in this role". Another echoed: "Great lead with depth of character. Loved her quirky sense of humour," as a third wrote: "Incredible series that I hope continues for years to come". Someone else chimed: "Great, funny show that is warm and human. A lot of threads going at once. Annika's literary excursions are hilarious and help carry the story". Not everyone was loving the series as one person wrote: "Absolutely awful. Weird asides to the camera and poor, very poor acting. Story basic and unbelievable and tied up very poorly". Someone else added: "Dreadful. Started out ok but devolved into tired, flat, who cares drama," with another writing: "Talking into the camera was a disaster. The way it was handled completely throws you out of the show and into reality TV." The camera issues appeared to be the root of complaints, as another voiced: "I love Nicola Walker as an actress, but I couldn't bear the talking direct to camera in this. It breaks the spell of the story. It might have been Ok apart from that, but I had to stop watching." Annika both series one and two, is now available to watch online at BBC iPlayer.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Nicola Walker dealt major blow as Scottish BBC series axed
It has been axed after two series, with the BBC confirming that there are no plans to make any more episodes Nicola Walker's Annika will not be making a comeback for a third series on the BBC, it has been revealed. The 55-year-old star brought DI Annika Strandhed to life across two series of the detective drama, and left fans delighted. Nevertheless, UKTV, which broadcasts the programme on U+Alibi and BBC, has announced that despite the series concluding with a cliffhanger, there are no current intentions to create additional episodes. A representative informed "We are incredibly proud of the success of Annika on U+Alibi, but there are no current plans for a third series." Annika originated from the BBC Radio 4 audio drama, Annika Strandhed, where Nicola also voiced the principal character. The programme was renowned for its distinctive style, with the Marine Homicide Unit detective regularly breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to viewers. The drama saw Annika leading the fictional Glasgow-based Marine Homicide Unit, with the cast consisting of 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 star-studded cast also included Doctor Who star Varada Sethu joining as DC Harper Weston in season two, while Paul McGann played Annika's love interest Jake Strathearn, and Silvie Furneaux was her daughter, Morgan. Annika's axe comes despite its impressive Rotten Tomatoes rating, with an 83% score and a 96% audience rating. "Wow, just wow. Bring on season 3," one fan commented. Another said: "The marvellous Nicola Walker never disappoints, another great British crime drama. Scottish setting is beautiful." Someone else praised: "Oh my god this show is so underrated, it's so funny and Nicola Walker just makes it a 10/10." Another echoed: "I love this show. It is so understated but the humour really catches you unawares and I find myself laughing sometimes before I realise why. The breaking down of the four wall brings helps the viewer feel as if they are included and during those moments in which Annika speaks to us I find myself learning new things which is unusual for a crime show." Nicola previously admitted it took some time to get used to the unconventional way of bringing viewers insight into Annika. She said: "With most characters there is so much subtext. But there is no subtext with Annika because the subtext is her talking directly to you and telling you what she feels. By the end, we are going to know her as well as she knows herself. "On the first day, I kept stopping and laughing. It felt so wrong. But by the end, I was so into it, I was flicking looks at the camera all the time. I'm very worried about my next job now – 'Why does she keep looking down the lens?' It might have ruined me for the future!" But she explained the device was essential when it came to adapting the original audio drama. She said: "When he started talking about a television series, my first question was, how would you populate the world which has previously only been in Annika's head? Nick [Walker, writer] said immediately, 'We're going to break the fourth wall!' "So, she still has Norwegian heritage, she is still an outsider, and she still has a different way of coping with life and work, but the hook is the fact that this is the only detective series where the audience is the silent sidekick. We are in cahoots with her." Annika is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Business Upturn
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Annika Season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
With Nicola Walker back in the saddle as the ever-clever and wonderfully deadpan DI Annika Strandhed, the show has built a loyal following, thanks to its clever fourth-wall breaks, pitch-black humor, and deep dives into grisly marine crimes. But after Season 2's jaw-dropper of a finale, folks are dying to know what comes next. Release Date Speculation for Annika Season 3 There's no official green light or release date just yet, but looking at how the show's been paced gives us a few clues. The first season landed on Alibi in August 2021, and Season 2 followed suit in August 2023. PBS and BBC One picked up the series a bit later each time, so there's a bit of a lag between UK and international airings. Some fans were hoping for a late 2023 release, but since that didn't happen, a more realistic estimate could be late 2025 on Alibi, with a 2026 release on PBS Masterpiece or BBC One. Reddit's buzzing with predictions pointing to August 2025, but honestly, if production schedules get messy (as they often do), it could shift again. Still, there's reason to stay hopeful. Expected Cast for Annika Season 3 Assuming Season 3 gets the go-ahead, the main cast should mostly be back. Nicola Walker is the show, and the chemistry between her and the rest of the Marine Homicide Unit is part of what makes Annika work. You can probably expect to see: Nicola Walker as DI Annika Strandhed Jamie Sives as DS Michael McAndrews Katie Leung as DC Blair Ferguson Varada Sethu as DS Harper Weston Silvie Furneaux as Morgan Strandhed Kate Dickie as DCI Diane Oban Paul McGann as Jake Strathearn Sven Henriksen as Magnus Strandhed One face we likely won't see again is Ukweli Roach, who played DS Tyrone Clarke. His character left the team in Season 2, Episode 3, and unless there's a surprise comeback in the cards, his chapter looks closed. That said, don't be surprised if new characters show up to shake things up, just like Harper did last season. Potential Plot Details for Annika Season 3 Season 2 left things on a seriously tense note. Annika's father, Magnus, was revealed as a key suspect in the murder of retired detective Jackie Drummond—the one who died in that suspicious boat explosion. The episode ended with Annika looking straight at us and asking, 'Help me.' Yeah, things just got real. Season 3 is likely to dive into that mystery, with the show digging deeper into the father-daughter tension that's been bubbling since Season 1. Is Magnus actually guilty? Or is there a more twisted truth lurking beneath the surface? Either way, Annika's got a personal stake in this one—and she's not usually great at keeping those emotions off the job. Meanwhile, there's Morgan. After learning that Michael is her biological father—despite him having a wife and kids of his own—her world's been flipped upside down. That little detail (dropped in Season 2, Episode 3) is bound to cause tension at home and probably at work too, since Annika and Michael have to navigate this new reality while solving murders. We'll likely also see Blair adjusting to life as a new mom, and Harper continuing to find her footing in the squad. Expect the usual mix of darkly funny commentary, eerie case-of-the-week mysteries, and Annika's signature references to Norse legends and classic literature, all set against the moody, waterlogged landscapes of Scotland. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Daily Record
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC's Annika season 2 release date, full cast, plot and how to watch
Annika is returning to BBC One for a second series, and here's everything you need to know about the upcoming episodes... The popular crime drama Annika is set to return to our TV screens with a second series, following the resounding success of its debut season in 2021. The narrative of this Scotland-based TV series revolves around DI Annika Strandhed as she takes the helm of the newly-established Marine Homicide Unit in Glasgow. The show also delves into Annika's personal life, exploring her relationship with her teenage daughter, Morgan, her romantic entanglements, and familial challenges. As we eagerly anticipate catching up with Annika's latest exploits, here's everything you need to know about the upcoming second season of this BBC drama, including the full cast list and how to tune in.... What is Annika about? The storyline centres on DI Annika Strandhed, who heads the Marine Homicide Unit in Glasgow, while also juggling her role as a mother to her teenage daughter, Morgan. Annika, who boasts Norwegian roots, engages directly with the audience throughout the series, discussing ongoing cases and offering insights into her personal thoughts. In the second series, Annika faces the daunting task of revealing to Michael that he is Morgan's biological father. She initially postpones the revelation after Blair discloses her pregnancy and Tyrone announces his departure, reports the Express. However, after crossing paths with DC Harper Weston, Annika resolves to break the news to Michael. With Tyrone's exit, Harper becomes a permanent fixture on the team. As the series unfolds, Annika and Michael grapple with how to disclose the truth about Morgan's paternity. Meanwhile, Annika rekindles her romance with Jake and attempts to mend fences with her own father when he makes an appearance. Full cast Nicola Walker plays the lead in Annika, portraying DI Annika Strandhed, with Silvie Furneaux playing her teenage daughter, Morgan. Paul McGann plays Jake Strathearn, a child therapist and Annika's partner, while Kate Dickie plays Annika's superior, DCI Diane Oban. Jamie Sives plays DS Michael McAndrews, Annika's deputy, and Katie Leung brings to life the character of DC Blair Ferguson, a data and technical investigator. Ukweli Roach portrays DS Tyrone Clarke, a former member of the unit, and Varada Sethu joins the cast for the second series as new unit member DS Harper Weston. How to watch The first series of Annika was launched in 2021 and can be streamed in its entirety on BBC iPlayer. The second series premiered on Alibi in 2023 and on PBS Masterpiece in America. All six episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from Saturday, 2 August. The inaugural episode will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday, 2 August at 9.10pm. Annika will start airing on BBC One on Saturday, 2 August, at 9.10pm. Episodes will also be accessible on BBC iPlayer.
