ITV has unveiled a selection of first-look images from the upcoming six-part chilling serial killer drama The Dark, starring Laura Donnelly (The Nevers, Sugar) and Mark Rowley (Trigger Point, Karen Pirie) coming to ITV, STV and available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player this summer.
The images offer a look at DI Monica Kennedy (Laura Donnelly) as she embarks on a tense cat and mouse hunt for a twisted serial killer across the Scottish countryside alongside her new partner DC Connor Crawford (Mark Rowley). Distraught mother Bethany Morgan (Helen Baxendale) is also shown, pushed to her limit after Detective Monica appears on her doorstep once again with a case linked to her missing son.
When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community. As paranoia rises, suspicions and secrets are forced into the light, and the locals start to realise that there is a serial killer hidden amongst them.
With her experience of dealing with the darkest of humanity Monica Kennedy quickly becomes entangled in a heightened game of cat and mouse with a cunning killer. Only she can stop this monster before he claims any more victims. But when her own history creeps up on her, she begins to lose trust in her own judgement. Will it be her own actions that are the biggest risk to herself and her family?
Ben Stephenson, Preethi Mavahalli, Luke Woellhaf and Fern McCauley executive produce alongside Hartley, with Matt Brown producing. Lena Rae and Nessah Muthy also write on the series, while Gilles Bannier serves as lead director and executive producer. The series is adapted for television by Matt Hartley and produced by Poison Pen Studios, part of ITV Studios.
For CultureCues, The Dark sounds like a strong addition to ITV’s crime drama slate. A Scottish serial killer mystery, a detective with her own past creeping back in and a rural community full of suspicion is exactly the sort of set-up that can make a six-part thriller properly addictive. Add in Donnelly and Rowley leading the investigation, and this already feels like one to keep on the summer watchlist.
The Dark is coming to ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player this summer.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.