‘Annika’: Alibi Crime Drama Begins Filming Season 2
UKTV’s Alibi announces filming has begun on Season 2 of Scottish-set crime drama ‘Annika‘ starring Nicola Walker. The six-episode series is a co-commission with US broadcaster Masterpiece and All3Media International.
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.
“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,” said Walker “It’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
The second series will also see the return of 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 retuns to her role as Annika Strandhed’s daughter, Morgan.
The critically-acclaimed series is based on the hugely successful BBC Radio 4 drama, written by Nick Walker, who also pens the series. 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 is executive producer and Kieran Parker is the series producer for Black Camel Pictures.
“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,” commented Philippa Collie Cousins. “The first series stole the audience’s hearts, and the second series will too!”
That first season did indeed go down well with audiences, becoming Alibi’s top performing title of all time, reaching 1.32million individuals since its launch. It also picked up favourable reviews from critics and the viewing public alike.
“The response to this series has been incredible – Alibi viewers have really embraced the dry humour of Nick Walker’s original series,” adds Emma Ayech. “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.”
‘Annika‘ Season 2 is filming right now, and will premiere in 2023 on Alibi in the UK. US audiences can watch season one when it premieres on PBS Masterpiece from Sunday, October 16, 2022. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
