Annika (2021 TV series)


Annika is a Scottish black comedy crime drama television series, based on the BBC Radio 4 drama Annika Strandhed. Produced by Black Camel Pictures for Alibi and All3Media, the first episode aired on 17 August 2021. It was created by Nick Walker and stars Nicola Walker in the title role.
Season 1 of Annika began airing on BBC One on 20 May 2023. Season 2 began airing on Alibi UK on 9 August 2023, and aired from 15 October 2023 on PBS Masterpiece in the United States.
The show was cancelled in August 2025.
WWW alibi.uktv.co.uk/shows/an...

Development

The character and concept originated as a BBC Radio 4 series, entitled Annika Strandhed, with same writer and lead. The background and setting differed somewhat, with Strandhed working in the Oslo Police homicide unit. The BBC summed up the tone of the show with the observation that "Her neuroses - and she has a few - are mostly hidden by a boisterous manner and a love of motor boats. And she thinks she's funny - although her colleagues aren't so sure." Six series were broadcast of various numbers of episodes, amounting to 32 in total.

Plot

Annika Strandhed is the Detective Inspector heading up the newly-formed, Glasgow-based, Marine Homicide Unit. The relationship between Annika and Morgan, her teenage daughter, is the basis for a sub-plot across all the episodes. Annika regularly breaks the fourth wall to communicate directly with the audience about aspects of the current case and personal reflections. She is of Norwegian ancestry, and often refers Norwegian culture and folklore.
In the last episode of Series 1, Annika reveals to the audience that Michael McAndrews is Morgan's biological father.
In Series 2, when Blair announces her pregnancy and Tyrone reveals he will be leaving, Annika puts off telling Michael. Soon after meeting DC Harper Weston, she finally tells Michael.
After Tyrone leaves, Harper becomes a part of the team. As the series progresses, Annika and Michael have to work out how and when they are going to tell Morgan about her father, but after Erin dumps her, they decide to wait. In the series Annika rekindles her relationship with Jake; however, Annika's father arrives and as she begins to build a few bridges with him, Morgan suddenly asks if Michael is her dad.

Cast and characters

Strandhed is the lead of the new Marine Homicide Unit. She is very invested in her job while trying to maintain a good relationship with her daughter Morgan. Her Norwegian ancestry and connections continue to influence her thoughts and emotions, though she is now in Scotland. She and DS McAndrews were in police college at the same time but haven't seen each other for years.
McAndrews is a senior member of the MHU who lost out to Annika as the lead for the unit and harbours the belief that he is still the best to lead the unit. He views Annika as a smart but prickly individual to deal with. He is the team's search diver. It is revealed in series 2 that he is Morgan's biological father.
  • Katie Leung as DC Blair Ferguson, Data and technical investigator
Ferguson is the analyst dealing with the data and technical support for the team. As she is the youngest member of the team, Annika often asks her perspective about something involving Morgan. In series 2, Leung's real life pregnancy is brought into the story.
Clarke has recently been transferred from the Border Command, a police drug investigation unit, to try to reboot his career. He is very goal focused and used to working alone, which clashes with the team environment Annika is trying to foster with the MHU. He leaves in the third episode of series 2.
Harper joins the team after Tyrone leaves; she is slowly being trained up and has a motorbike, which Annika isn't keen on when she has to ride it with her.
Diane is the head of the Marine Homicide Unit. She also sometimes gets involved in the cases. Annika says she can be a bit bossy. In series 2, after Annika's car gets blown up, Diane lets Annika use her car for a time.
  • Silvie Furneaux as Morgan, Annika's teenage daughter.
She is regularly in conflict with her mother on various issues, and her mother cannot see the teenager's perspective. The girl has a relationship with Blair's sister Erin, who eventually dumps her. She learns who her father is.
  • Paul McGann as Jake Strathearn, a child therapist and Annika's partner.
After Morgan's first therapy session, Annika develops feelings for Jake. They both want to be together, but only if Morgan stops using him as a therapist. They later have a brief relationship, but eventually they decide to wait until Morgan is ready. In series 2, they rekindle their relationship.
  • as Magnus Strandhed, Annika's father, with whom she has a strained relationship.

Production and filming

The original radio series, Annika Stranded, also written by Nick Walker and featuring Nicola Walker, was set in Oslo. The television series relocates the action to Glasgow, while retaining Norwegian themes.
Principal photography for the series began on 14 December 2020 and ended on 2 April 2021. Filming took place primarily in Glasgow, on the River Clyde, as well as in towns in Argyll. Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, served as the homicide unit's base, and DI Strandhed's home was located on the banks of Loch Lomond.
In August 2022, it was confirmed that a second series had been commissioned. In August 2025, it was reported that "there are no current plans for a third series" at UKTV.

Music

The theme music was written by Anton Newcombe and Dot Allison.

Reception

Critical response

In The Guardian, the opening episode of the TV series holds a 4-star review. "She's a daffy Norwegian supercop with a dodgy accent. But Walker’s droll dialogue and womansplaining should keep you waterside for the long haul". The Radio Times rated the same episode with 3 stars: "Not everything works in the first episode of the crime drama – but the central case is gripping enough". The Killing Times also rated the first episode with 3 stars: "It's great to have Walker back on our screens and although Annika feels a bit light – Mare of Easttown it is most assuredly not – it's still worth a watch".
The Telegraph describes the TV series as "disappointingly pedestrian", recommending that "The show needs to focus less on the clever conceits and more on the plots".

Ratings

Annika has broken records to become Alibi's most-watched drama for at least seven years. The first episode of the series attracted 410,000 viewers – 2.5 per cent of the audience share, making it the highest-rated programme since the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board started recording figures in January 2014.