Annika Season 2: Alibi release date, trailer, and cast with Nicola Walker, Paul McGann, and Ukweli Roach

Annika, a crime drama following a group of detectives investigating marine crimes in Glasgow, is returning for its second season this August.

The series, which was recently broadcast on BBC One for the first time, stars The Split’s Nicola Walker and Doctor Who’s Paul McGann among others. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Annika Season 2 ahead of its debut on Alibi.

What is it about?

The official synopsis for Annika Season 2 explains that “Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed and the Marine Homicide Unit return to solve more brutal and unexplained murders that wash up in Scotland’s waters. The team are challenged as their dynamics shift, pushing them to rapidly adapt as they encounter murders more complex than ever before.”

“The crimes take them to new landscapes showing multiple sides of Scotland from the Hebridean Isles to the vibrant capital city Edinburgh. Meanwhile, Annika balances a family dynamic that grows more complicated as long-held secrets from the past begin to impact her relationships.”

The series is an adaptation of the BBC Radio 4 drama Annika Stranded, which also starred Nicola Walker in the title role.

Who stars in Annika Season 2?

Nicola Walker plays Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, lead investigator with Glasgow’s Marine Homicide Unit. Walker is perhaps best known still for starring in Spooks, where she played Ruth Evershed, but you might also recognise her from roles in the BBC One dramas Marriage and The Split.

Paul McGann plays Jake Strathearn, a child therapist who works closely with Annika. McGann is best known for starring alongside Richard E Grant in Withnail and I, but you’ll also recognise him as Doctor Who’s Eighth Doctor, a recurring supporting character in crime drama Luther, and as a maverick surgeon from Holby.

They’re joined by Katie Leung (Roadkill) as DC Blair Ferguson, Ukweli Roach (Wolf) as DS Tyrone Clarke, and Silvie Furneaux (Red Rose) as Annika's daughter Morgan among others. Varadu Sethu (Andor) joins as new character DC Harper Weston.

Who writes and directs Annika Season 2?

Annika was created by writer Nick Walker (no relation to Nicola Walker), an adaptation of his own BBC Radio 4 series. Walker has previously written the radio drama The First King of Mars, and novels Blackbox and Helloland. 

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there is! You can watch it right here.

When and how can I watch Annika?

Annika S2 is set to begin on Alibi on Wednesday 9 August at 9pm. New episodes will air each week at the same time.

The first series of Annika eventually received a second run broadcast on BBC One, and is currently available to watch as a boxset on BBC iPlayer. It’s likely that the same will happen again with Season 2, though we don’t yet know when that would be.

In the US, Annika Season 2 is expected to air on PBS from Sunday 15 October.

How many episodes are there?

Annika is a six-part drama, with each episode running to around an hour long.

Where is Annika set?

Annika is set in Glasgow (a change from the original radio series which, interestingly, was set in Oslo). Much of the filming at the water’s edge takes place at the River Clyde, with Beacon Arts Centre as the police station and a house in Loch Lomond doubling as Annika’s home.

Why should I watch Annika?

It’s one to watch if you’re a fan of Nicola Walker (particularly when she works with regular screen partner Paul McGann, who also stars in Annika). It might also be worth checking out if you’re a crime drama looking for something different, as Annika’s Fleabag-esque fourth wall breaks give the series its own distinct feel.