UKTV's Alibi joins with MASTERPIECE and All3Media International to co-commission the return of hit series Annika

(L-R) writer Nick Walker, Nicola Walker and Jamie Sives

Praise for Annika series one:

TV Times - 5*

Radio Times - Scandi-noir with a difference

Sun TV Mag - Veldig bra, as the Norwegians would say (very good)

Culture (Sunday Times) - Superb storytelling, well cast

Hot TV (Daily Star) - refreshingly different detective drama

Monday 8 August 2022 UKTVs leading crime drama channel, Alibi, has co-commissioned a second series of the hit UKTV Original Annika (6x60) with US broadcaster Masterpiece and All3Media International. The first series, produced by Black Camel Pictures, became Alibis top performing title of all time, reaching 1.32million individuals since its launch*.

The critically-acclaimed series is based on the hugely successful BBC Radio 4 drama, written by Nick Walker. The second series will see the return of Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten) as DI Annika Strandhed, 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 reclaims her role as Annika Strandheds daughter, Morgan.

Nicola Walker said:

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. Its going to be a bumpy ride!

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.

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 and Nicole Fitzpatrick are executive producers for Black Camel Pictures, and Kieran Parker is the series producer.

Philippa Collie Cousins said:

Im 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. The first series stole the audiences hearts, and the second series will too!

Emma Ayech added:

The response to this series has been incredible - Alibi viewers have really embraced the dry humour of Nick Walkers original series. We are thrilled to be bringing the wonderful Nicola Walker and the whole Annika team back for a second series. I cant wait for the Alibi audience to step back into Annikas world once again.

Arabella Page Croft, Black Camel Pictures, said:

The new series will see Annika and her brilliant MHU uncover bodies in Edinburgh, Glasgow and as far as the Hebridean island of Jura, keeping in high literary company with the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, George Orwell and Walter Scott to help solve the cases. Nick Walker is again at the helm, so this series promises more twisty crimes and grisly reveals while delving into our exciting serial hooks from the first series.

David Swetman, SVP content and commercial strategy at All3Media International commented:

We are delighted to be setting sail with our brilliant partners UKTV, Black Camel Pictures and MASTERPIECE for a second series of Annika. A compelling, unique detective drama, Annika is an exciting addition to our bestselling sleuth/detective slate, and were thrilled the first series has already sold to such a number of renowned international partners - its a testament to the hard work of the whole Annika team. Im excited for audiences to see the new cases and adventures we have in store for series 2.

Annikas first series will have its broadcast premiere on MASTERPIECE in the USA on 16th October. MASTERPIECE executive producer Susanne Simpson says,

Nicola Walker absolutely owns the role of Annika, who comes across as smart, eccentric, and funny. She leads an extraordinary cast of characters that makes this show unique.

MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.

All3Media International also announced that further sales across three continents, including sales to France Televisions Outre Mer 1 re, Sky Deutschland has taken the series in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland in a first window deal and ZDF has acquired a second window deal for Germany. Additionally, the series has travelled to AXN in Spain (Sony Pictures Television Networks), Warner Bros. Discovery in Italy where it will air on free television owned channel Giallo, RSI in Italian-speaking Switzerland, Siminn hf in Iceland, HRT in Croatia and COSMOTE in Greece. Outside of Europe, BritBox has also acquired Annika in South Africa and Australia. In the latter territory the platform has taken the second window, following the series Australian premiere on ABC. Sky New Zealand has also acquired the series and ABC Commercial has signed a home entertainment deal covering Australia and New Zealand, whilst WOWOW has taken rights in Japan.

Annika is the third UKTV Original that has returned for a second series on Alibi, alongside Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston, and We Hunt Together, starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay. The Diplomat, produced by World Productions, will also be airing in 2023.

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For more information, please contact:

Kelly Phelps, Senior

LINK:	https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktvs-alibi-return-of-hit-se...
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