FIVE-STAR reviews for the fast-paced cop drama The Tower, plus a double dose of Ann Cleeves – with new series The Long Call and returning favourite Shetland – set the tone for November’s nail-biting viewing on BritBox, all exclusive to the streaming service.
Cleeves was a probation officer, bird observatory cook, women’s refuge leader and auxiliary coastguard before turning her hand to writing crime fiction. These experiences clearly provided fertile ground for creativity, because her 35 novels have yielded television adaptations Vera, Shetland and, launching in November on BritBox, The Long Call.
Not only can fans currently binge all 11 seasons of Vera on the streaming platform, they can also savour the addition of Shetland seasons five and six to the previously launched four seasons, and settle back to enjoy engrossing new series The Long Call, on November 3.
Set in Devon and described by The Guardian as “compellingly twisty”, The Long Call sees a gay detective, played by Ben Aldridge (Our Girl, Fleabag), returning to the evangelical community he was forced to leave. While tackling a case with no witnesses, no forensics and seemingly no motive, he also has to grapple with his personal demons.
Heading up to Scotland’s “fair isle” of Shetland (November 3), we rejoin Perez (Douglas Henshall – Outlander, In Plain Sight) and his team for two more immersive seasons of murder mysteries, hailed by The Independent as a “well-paced return with stunning scenery”.
And, of course, who could forget the dishevelled, trenchcoat-wearing Vera Stanhope? The iconic detective whose unglamorous appearance belies a brilliant mind can also be seen on BritBox in all 11 seasons of Vera, starring multi-award-winning actress Brenda Blethyn.
Set in London, The Tower stars Game of Thrones and DI Ray star Gemma Whelan as an ethical cop trying to solve a double murder after two people plunge to their deaths from the top of a tower block. Problem is, her fellow cops might be in on the crime. Watch from November 17.
Also new and exclusive on BritBox this month is the fly-on-the-wall documentary series 24 Hours in Police Custody (November 10) and the miniseries Intruder (November 24), about a well-to-do couple who attempt to cover up a grisly crime in their plush home.
Set in Luton, 24 Hours captures real-life drama at its most intense, following police detectives around the clock as they investigate major crimes. Be a fly on the wall as officers investigate crimes such as conspiracy to murder, domestic violence, drug dealing, trafficking and elder abuse. Hand-held and hidden cameras reveal the day-to-day challenges faced by police staff and officers, to riveting effect.
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