Annika

As with any production she is a part of, Nicola Walker was the draw for me to this series. Plus, I worked as a police officer for 30+ yrs, so I was intrigued to hear "Marine Homicide Unit". Rarely any shows using this division as a base. Something different. Also different was the director's filming style. Ms. Walker's character breaks the 4th wall (speaks directly to the camera) throughout the series. This gives viewers an inner monologue of thoughts, feelings, & ideas. The director did a good job (IMHO) of not over-using this technique. Ms. Walker can easily convey her character's emotions & thoughts through her acting skills. She is able to combine this filming technique and her skills very easy.

The overall show was not the deep, intriguing, drama I had hoped for (think Unforgotten & The Split). But it was different and entertaining. The banter between Annika & her daughter, Morgan (Silvie Furneaux) was right on target when dealing with a teen. And Annika's after-thoughts were pretty humorous at times. But honestly, without Nicola Walker as the lead actress, I probably would not have watched passed episode 2. But give it a try.

Brilliant show. The personal impact of the crimes that Annika conveys to the viewer, directly facing the lens, pulls you in to the storyline and gives a direct insight into how she copes in her role. Fantastic cast and fantastic acting with strong story lines. Highly recommended.

I knew nothing about this show and only tuned in when I saw Nicola Walker was involved.

I LOVE this show.. it's a very good drama that has also got a typical Scottish dark, subtle humour thrown in for good measure.
hope there's more seasons to come.

10/10

When I started watching episode one of Annika and the very first scene had Nicola Walker (Annika) talking directly to the camera, my first instinct was to turn it off and forget about it there and then, as I really am not keen on the whole 4th wall filming technique. Literally the only thing that stopped me doing just that is that it was Nicola Walker doing it, and I have a great respect for her acting talents, having liked her performances in Spooks, The Unforgotten and A Mother's Son, to name but a few of the BBC dramas I've watched in which she's had a leading role. I'm glad I stuck with it because it's actually a fairly decent crime drama - not up to the same standard as some of the BBC's best such shows, but still sufficiently gripping and tense. However, "Annika" is really as much about the interpersonal relationships as it is about the murders. Annika's eccentric neuroses and her 4th-wall asides (which are thankfully not corny, and are thoughtfully woven into the story by producers so as to be infrequent and unobtrusive to the main plots; she is basically just vocalising her inner thoughts and self-reflection to help the viewers see how her mind works), as well as the fabulous repartee between her and her daughter provide a light-hearted relief from the murder investigations. These, along with fine acting from all the cast without exception, have delivered to us a well-rounded, high-quality, very enjoyable show that, if you are a fan of crime dramas - I would be happy to recommend watching.

It took me an episode to get into this series. The draw was always Nicola Walker but the writer has her breaking the 4th wall (which is stage speak for talking directly to the audience) which I found off-putting at first, and the tone of the series is rather stripped down and sterile. But, the humour, the disarming frankness of our heroine, the relationship between mom and daughter, the episodic crimes and, of course, the brilliant work of Nicola, soon won me round. Inevitably, I found myself chuckling at the final one liners that her character addresses to the camera as the episode ends. I give this series a 7 (good) out of 10. [Crime Dramedy]

Im sorry but I do not like it when actors talks to the camera, so annoying, only watched 1 episode and gave up on it

I get why they're doing it - perhaps it worked on radio better - but I hate the direct to camera, breaking the 4th wall schtick.

One of very few times I've actually liked the breach of the forth wall, they really manage to pull it off in a great way.
Nicola Walker is brilliant, her part alone make it worth the watch but it's a great show overall.
So with that said it will probably not get a second season as with most shows I really like...

I really enjoyed this show!