From Darkness stars Anne-Marie Duff as ex-police officer Claire Church, whose peaceful life in the Western Isles is shattered when cases from her past come back to haunt her
© BBCIf, like me, you’re missing the moody atmosphere, sweeping Scottish setting and dark, gritty mysteries of Shetland, it’s time to turn your attention to From Darkness.
The series stars Anne-Marie Duff as ex-police officer Claire Church, who moves to the remote Western Isles to start a new life with her partner Norrie and daughter Megan. But when four bodies from her past cases are discovered, Claire is soon pulled back into the dangerous world of crime-solving.
While you count down the days until the new season of Shetland, From Darkness is the perfect show to fill the crime drama-shaped hole in your viewing schedule. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the drama, including where to watch it.
What is From Darkness about?
The series follows Claire Church, who resigned from the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in the mid-Nineties after the impact of violence became too overwhelming.
The BBC synopsis continues: “Claire Church decided to turn her back on a world of misogyny and chauvinism, where it seemed you had to think and act like a man to succeed. Finding herself ignored in the office and second place in her relationship with her married DI, Claire instead found solace in the remote Western Isles with her new man, Norrie, and daughter Megan.
“As four bodies from Claire’s past investigations are unearthed, she finds herself getting pulled back into a world she’d long since left behind and a case that only she can solve. Battling her own demons, Claire feels the dual pull of a vocation that sustained her and a man she once loved, but can she protect herself from the darkness this time?”
Is from Darkness worth watching?
Upon its initial broadcast in 2015, the show sparked a divided response from viewers, many of whom were quick to praise the show as “gripping” and “very dark”.
On social media, one person wrote on social media: “#FromDarkness @BBC another brilliant drama from the Beeb! Keep ’em coming,” while another added: “Ab Fab TV. Dark, compelling, structured, all the things @BBC does well!!”
However, some viewers found the series lacking, and commented on the pacing and “unremarkable” conclusion.
As for the critical reception, reviewers highlighted Anne Marie’s performance but felt the plot relied too heavily on crime drama conventions.
The Times handed out just one star, saying the show was “mired in familiar tropes,” whereas The Guardian described the drama as “intriguing”.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph acknowledged that while Anne-Marie Duff delivered a “compelling” performance, the series “had to work hard to detract from familiar concept”.
Who stars in From Darkness?
Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters) leads the show as Claire Church.
She’s joined by Johnny Harris (Legends) as John Hind, Richard Rankin (Rebus) as Norrie Duncan, Luke Newberry (In The Flesh) as Anthony Boyce, Caroline Lee Johnson (Chef!) as Lola and Ben Batt (Toxic Town) as Chris Templeton.
Lyndsey Marshal (Restless) as Lucy Maxley, Jim Cartwright (Little Voice) as Roy Marsh, Leanne Best (This City Is Ours) as Julie Hind, Naomi Ryan (Doctor Who) as Rosanna Templeton and Cora Tsang (Outlander) as Megan Duncan also star.
From Darkness is available to stream on U now.
