Annika

Single mom with a demanding job and a troubled/difficult teen daughter.

The lead character talking to the camera threw we for a bit, but once I got used to it, it was fine - and even a bit fun. It's funniest when she doesn't talk, but just gives the camera a wry look and a shrug like, "What can you do?"

Several who reviewed this show complained about it being too woke. Obviously they haven't watched American CBS television. The wokeness there can virtually reach out and slap you upside the head - no matter which show you're watching. Personally, I find diversity refreshing as long as I'm not being bashed over the head with it.

One aspect I really enjoy about this show is that Nicola Walker's character is smart, but she stumbles and is frequently awkward. It's like watching myself at times and I find it endearing.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely worth giving it a shot.

The first couple of episodes were a little shaky but certainly by episodes 3 onward it was as good as any similar type of police drama. Perhaps the negative reviews were written by some who only watched the first episode and made their judgement. I hope it comes back for another series.

Truly don't get why this is being rated so low. OK, so a dead body in or around the water every week is perhaps a little unlikely, but some of the little quips and dialogue is both clever and witty. Nicola Walker is excellent, the brief monologues to camera are a brave and interesting way of linking things together. Perhaps people gave up on this too early or reality TV, Mrs Brown's Boys or Hawaii 5-0 is more their idea of quality entertainment? Haters have to hate I guess. Personally, I'm hoping a second series will be forthcoming.

Di Annika Strandhed arrives in Scotland to take charge of a team at the MHU, The Marine Homicide Unit.

It's very quirky, she talks to the camera, and has a Norwegian accent that seems to have come all the way from London.

Annika is a really enjoyable series, it benefits from the presence of Nicola Walker, who is absolutely marvellous as the central character. Paul McGann also impresses. The acting is generally very good, but it's the stories that make it so watchable.

Episode quality does vary, some of the early ones are a little average, the first, and last however are excellent I thought.

A massive success story for Alibi, I hope we're treated to more next year, all in all, a good watch, 7/10.

First, to address some of the repeated complaints in other reviews - this show is based on a radio show set in Norway that also featured Nicola Walker and the breaking of the fourth wall that has upset so many is an attempt to preserve the conversational atmosphere of the podcast. For what it's worth, Scotland does indeed have a marine investigation unit tasked with investigating homicides on or in bodies of water, so no, that's not ludicrous at all, it is literally a thing.

Annika is a light, character driven show in which each episode has a different murder for the team to solve. I really enjoy Annika's reflections on literature and her dry humor as she discusses what is happening with the audience, and Walker does an astonishingly good job with the delivery as always. She's great but this may be some of her best work, as she really gets to have fun with the character. Her interactions with McGann are particularly strong as he makes an awesome straight man for her awkward character. We pretty much focus on her life and her daughter, so some of the supporting cast doesn't necessarily get the screen time they deserve.