Where is Annika filmed? The filming locations of Alibi’s new TV series starring Nicola Walker as DI Strandhed

Brand new crime drama Annika has made its debut on crime channel Alibi, bringing fans a Scottish noir which is sure to go down well as the British summer continues to deliver underwhelming temperatures.

While it’s the first televised series of Annika, it’s actually the second series of the show, which first appeared on Radio 4.

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The action in that first instalment took place mainly in Norway, but for the televised version, the location has been transposed to Scotland.

But just where in Scotland was it all filmed? Who stars in it, and when can you see it?

Here is everything you need to know.

What is Annika about?

Annika, written by Perrier nominated writer Nick Walker, is based on the hugely successful Radio 4 drama and follows the sharp, witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker), as she heads up a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU).

This specialist unit is tasked with investigating the unexplained, sometimes brutal, and seemingly unfathomable murders that wash up in the waterways of Scotland.

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Throughout 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.

Intuitive and instinctive, Annika has a weakness for using literary and historical references to help solve crimes, an enthusiasm that her team definitely doesn't share, but which is often the thing that unlocks the puzzle.

Who stars in it?

Alongside Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten), the six-part series stars Jamie Sives (Guilt, Frontier) as DS Michael McAndrews, Katie Leung (The Nest, Roadkill) as DC Blair Ferguson, and Ukweli Roach (Blindspot, Humans) as DS Tyrone Clarke.

Joining them are Kate Dickie (The Nest, The Cry) as DCI Diane Oban and Silvie Furneaux (Limbo) as Annika’s daughter, Morgan.

Where was it filmed?

Nicola Walker (DI Annika Strandhed) and Jamie Sives (DS Michael McAndrews) are seen filming on Glasgow’s river Clyde (Photo: JPI Media/John Devlin)Nicola Walker (DI Annika Strandhed) and Jamie Sives (DS Michael McAndrews) are seen filming on Glasgow’s river Clyde (Photo: JPI Media/John Devlin)
Nicola Walker (DI Annika Strandhed) and Jamie Sives (DS Michael McAndrews) are seen filming on Glasgow’s river Clyde (Photo: JPI Media/John Devlin)
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The series is based on a spate of brutal murders that wash up in the waterways of Scotland, and the team’s cases take them from the depths of Glasgow’s Clyde River to the Isle of Bute and picturesque Loch Katrine.

As they solve a new crime each episode, the show’s cinematography juxtaposes Scotland’s stunning landscapes and urban beauty against the horrific realities of the murders Annika’s team must solve.

Glasgow

Filming for the crime drama took place mainly in Glasgow, and in particular on the bank of the River Clyde.

The six-part series was filmed in various locations around the city, including Partick, Bellahouston and High Street.

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Nicola Walker and Jamie Sives were spotted filming on the river in March 2021, but filming also took place on Glasgow’s Cowan Street.

Annika was produced by Glasgow-based Black Camel Pictures, the company behind the film musicals Sunshine on Leith and Anna and the Apocalypse.

Arabella Page Croft, co-founder of Black Camel Pictures, said: “Ed Smith, our location manager, and his phenomenal supporting team have worked tirelessly throughout Covid and Glasgow’s lockdown for the last three months to set us up so well.

“I know how hard the challenges have been to secure locations so we are really grateful to Ed and all the local councils who have gone beyond the call of duty to help our production.”

Argyll and Greenock

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Also seen in the show are multiple locations in Helensburgh and Rhu, in Argyll, and the Beacon Arts Centre, in Greenock, which stands in for the investigation unit’s base.

“The Beacon Arts Centre will become our sophisticated new base and home for the marine homicide unit, with huge, beautiful glass windows directly onto the Clyde Estuary.

“It’s been terrific setting up a lot of the first few episodes in Helensburgh and Rhu.

“Our unit base is in the cricket and rugby club, but we are shooting all over the area. Victoria Halls offered us space to change into a school play, a gymnastics sports club and a rural police station, and Hermitage Park has been repurposed as a morgue.”

Loch Lomond

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Walker’s character and her daughter Morgan live on the banks of Loch Lomond.

“Annika’s quirky house is perfect for her wacky character and her daughter, nestled on the banks of Loch Lomond,” said Croft. “We knew we’d just fallen on the perfect home when we discovered it.”

When can I watch it?

Annika is airing at 9pm every Tuesday on crime channel Alibi, with each of the six episodes lasting an hour.

The first episode was broadcast on 17 August, but if you missed it you can catch up through on-demand streaming service, UKTV Play.

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