Annika to Return for Season 2
News
LONDON – August 8, 2022: MASTERPIECE joins with UKTV’s Alibi and All3Media International to co-commission the return of hit series Annika.
The critically-acclaimed series is based on the hugely successful BBC Radio 4 drama, written by Nick Walker. The second series will see the return of Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten) as DI Annika Strandhed, Jamie Sives (Guilt, Frontier) as DS Michael McAndrews, Katie Leung (The Nest, Roadkill) as DC Blair Ferguson and Ukweli Roach (The Midwich Cuckoos, Blindspot) as DS Tyrone Clarke. Silvie Furneaux (Limbo) also reclaims her role as Annika Strandhed’s daughter, Morgan.
Nicola Walker said: “We are all looking forward to fighting crime on sea and land with the MHU for a second series and there are secrets closer to home for Annika that will have to be faced. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
Annika follows the sharp, witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed (Walker), as she leads the specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) that is tasked with investigating the unexplained, brutal, and seemingly unfathomable murders that wash up in the waterways of Scotland. Through the series, Annika makes the audience her confidante by breaking the fourth wall and sharing her wry observations on the case and her life, as she manages her brilliant yet unconventional team, and her equally brilliant yet complex teenage daughter.
Annika’s first series will have its broadcast premiere on MASTERPIECE in the USA on October 16th. MASTERPIECE executive producer Susanne Simpson says, “Nicola Walker absolutely owns the role of Annika, who comes across as smart, eccentric, and funny. She leads an extraordinary cast of characters who make this show unique.” MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.
The UKTV Original series has been commissioned by senior drama commissioner Philippa Collie Cousins with head of scripted Pete Thornton. The series is ordered by Alibi channel director Emma Ayech. Richard Watsham is director of commissioning for UKTV, and Adrian Willis is genre general manager for drama and lifestyle. Arabella Page Croft and Nicole Fitzpatrick are executive producers for Black Camel Pictures, and Kieran Parker is the series producer.
Philippa Collie Cousins said: “I’m thrilled to get the team back together on a second series of this refreshing, character led crime drama. Nicola has such an authentic approach, she brings the character of Annika to life in a unique way and, by breaking the fourth wall with conviction and wit, she adds both real depth and laugh out loud moments. The first series stole the audience’s hearts, and the second series will too!”
Emma Ayech added: “The response to this series has been incredible – Alibi viewers have really embraced the dry humour of Nick Walker’s original series. We are thrilled to be bringing the wonderful Nicola Walker and the whole Annika team back for a second series. I can’t wait for the Alibi audience to step back into Annika’s world once again.”
Arabella Page Croft, Black Camel Pictures, said: “The new series will see Annika and her brilliant MHU uncover bodies in Edinburgh, Glasgow and as far as the Hebridean island of Jura, keeping in high literary company with the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, George Orwell and Walter Scott to help solve the cases. Nick Walker is again at the helm, so this series promises more twisty crimes and grisly reveals while delving into our exciting serial hooks from the first series.”
David Swetman, SVP content and commercial strategy at All3Media International commented: “We are delighted to be setting sail with our brilliant partners UKTV, Black Camel Pictures and MASTERPIECE for a second series of Annika. A compelling, unique detective drama, Annika is an exciting addition to our bestselling sleuth/detective slate, and we’re thrilled the first series has already sold to such a number of renowned international partners – it’s a testament to the hard work of the whole Annika team. I’m excited for audiences to see the new cases and adventures we have in store for series 2.”
