Over a decade ago, the nation became captivated by a BBC crime drama titled River. This six-part series, which first aired in 2015, has maintained its popularity over the years and is now available to stream for free on ITVX, after previously being released on Netflix.
Plot Overview
The story follows Detective Inspector John River, portrayed by award-winning actor Stellan Skarsgård, who is haunted by the murder of his friend and colleague, DS Jackie 'Stevie' Stevenson, played by national treasure Nicola Walker. As River investigates her death, he must conceal his deteriorating mental health from his superiors to avoid being dismissed from the force.
A synopsis for River reads: 'The stages of his grief mark River's growing bonds with those he has excluded from his heart and his mind, and when a murder suspect jumps to his death whilst being pursued by River, the pressure and scrutiny that surrounds him escalates fast. As the investigation into Stevie's murder begins to reveal her deepest secrets, River has to question everything he thought he knew about his one true friend. Their relationship might have survived her death, but can it survive the truth of who she really was in life?'
Critical Acclaim
Since its debut, River has received widespread praise, with many comparing it to acclaimed series such as Unforgotten, Broadchurch, and The Wire. One viewer remarked, 'Blew me away, you know if Netflix presents it, it must be good. Wrong. It's incredible. The most original detective story I've come across thus far.'
Another added: 'Pure Cinema, even if it is a TV show. The new wave of cinema seems to be TV, and Netflix is the new HBO, for better and worse. River is everything True Detective should have been but didn't have the strength to achieve. River is the Netflix equivalent of The Wire.'
A third fan commented: 'The impact of this show is astonishing. Boy, did this show take me by surprise. All I can say is don't miss it. It's so much more than a detective series, and Stellan Skarsgård gives a performance that will take your breath away. Nicola Walker is, of course, magnificent as well.'
Another viewer noted: 'What a gem! So glad I found this. Genuine masterpiece. Acting is believable and tender. The plot is complicated but not unbelievable.'
Future of the Series
Although only one series of the show was produced, Nicola Walker once revealed to Good Housekeeping that Stellan Skarsgård would be keen to reprise his role as DI River. However, he would only agree to film more episodes if award-winning writer Abi Morgan returned to helm the project. Walker herself seems content with the six-episode conclusion, stating: 'I kind of like that it was a really good story well told, a one-off six episodes. Not everything has to be returned to. It's one of my favourite things that I've ever been involved in.'
All episodes of River are available to watch on ITVX.
