David Tennant's 'Unsettling' Crime Series is a Must-Watch for Broadchurch Fans

Summary

• A 2020 crime series has been rediscovered due to streaming.
• This popular show has drawn comparisons to the massively popular Broadchurch.
• David Tennant stars in both dramas, but plays a very different role in each.

Back in 2013, David Tennant and the not-yet-A-list Olivia Colman broke our brains with the first season of Broadchurch, a series written with a self-contained first season but which proved so popular it lasted for three years.

The outstanding first season of Broadchurch centers around the death of a young boy in a small, seemingly idyllic community. The sudden and horrible death of 11-year-old Danny sends his town in a tailspin. The investigation is run by the cheerful Detective Miller (Colman) and her equally dour partner, the recently transferred Detective Alec Hardy (Tennant).

Part of what made Broadchurch so interesting is that it wasn't just about the 'whodunnit' of it all. The series was not only interested in solving the crime, but also in examining the impact of Danny's death, the resulting media attention, and the investigation on a tight-knit community.

Now, fans of Broadchurch are discovering another David Tennant must-watch crime drama.

What's It About?

In a quaint Scottish village, the Kendricks are living a charmed life. Tom (Tennant) is a popular local doctor, his wife Kate is a teacher, and they have three children. However, one night their house is set ablaze and only Tom gets out alive. The investigation uncovers the fact that every member of the family was drugged, and the fire was arson.

Who wanted the Kendricks dead? We know enough about these types of shows to know that there are always secrets lurking beneath the 'happy family' facade – but what's relevant to the case, and whose perspective can we trust? Tom is an obvious suspect, but is he a killer or just a red herring with an EXCELLENT wardrobe of sweaters?

As in Broadchurch, Deadwater Fell is interested in the impact of a crime investigation on the survivors, the suspects, and the community. The Kendricks' best friends Steve (Matthew McNulty) and Jess (Cush Jumbo) soon take center stage in the fallout, even as they are struggling with their own issues.

What Are Critics Saying?

The response to Deadwater Fell has been overwhelmingly positive, with the show carrying an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have said:

'The more layers are peeled back, the more unsettling Deadwater Fell becomes'. – TV Insider

'Daisy Coulam's script and the cast make these feel like real people, not cackling TV villains or victims, which makes it all the more disquieting and compelling.' – Den of Geek

'Crime dramas have their fashions, and Coulam uses the abstract architecture of Broadchurch to create psychological confusion, an effect achieved with a jumbled chronology.' – London Evening Standard

'The four-episode Deadwater Fell from creator Daisy Coulam isn't really an overhaul of its particular genre, but thanks to entertaining performances and a perspective that steers viewers away from the obvious, it's a reasonably satisfyingly fast whodunnit.' – Hollywood Reporter

Short but Not So Sweet

Deadwater Fell premiered on England's Channel 4 back in 2020. Though popular, it didn't have a far reach until recently, when it became available to a wider audience via streaming. Now audiences can watch the series on Netflix in England (or elsewhere, if you have an English VPN!) Depending on the region, you may also be able to watch it on Prime.

Deadwater Fell is a perfect series to binge, with only four episodes.