River Review

Crime dramas are part-and-parcel of televison these days. Whether emanating from American, Scandinavian or British shores, you will always be safe in the knowledge that these particular series will prove familiar and welcome.

While many follow their formulaic route and still remain watchable, there often comes a show that looks to shift the dynamic and present a whole new side to crime and its involved characters. Refreshing and utterly engrossing, Abi Morgan's River can be described as just that, spearheaded by a sublime Stellan Skargard in the leading role of DI John River.

River, an Inspector in the Metropolitan Police, is unlike your usual officer of the law in the world of television. This is a man whose own psychological state often provides his own personal cases to solve in addition to the ongoing specifics of the Met's investigations.

Tortured by visions and ghostly apparitions and figures, River is literally plagued as he looks to uncover the mystery of his partner's death in what is a truly enthralling show from the BBC.

When you have an individual such as Skarsgard steering the ship then you know immediately that this is a show that is well and truly in safe hands. Having plied his trade in a variety of film properties, including blockbuster entries and those of the Lars Von Trier variety, the Scandinavian master feels somewhat at home in this wonderfully presented British drama.

And all the while Skarsgard is dominating and proving the perfect leading man, the backup cast only heighten the brilliance of this haunting and dark presence, which should surely be regarded as one of the best home-grown shows of 2015. Eddie Marsan is suitably haunting as a Victorian presence haunting River, while the likes of Nicola Walker and Adeel Akhtar excel beyond belief.

What's so fantastic about River is its willingness to rip up the rule book and present itself as so much more than just 'another cop drama'. Part police investigation, part drama stooped in horror, this is a show that rarely drops the ball and certainly lingers in the memory for the long run. River is essential viewing for 2015 and could well be one of the best shows witnessed on television for some time. 

River is out on DVD and Blu-Ray on Monday 30th November.