Shetland fans obsessing over BBC crime drama hailed as ‘best crime show in last 10 years’

The atmospheric Welsh drama, Hinterland, follows a tortured cop who solves complex crimes against the stunning coastal backdrop of west Wales

issing Shetland? The BBC’s gripping noir crime drama, Hinterland, could just be your next TV obsession.

Much like the early seasons of the Scottish-set drama, Hinterland features the same winning formula: a tortured cop, complex crimes, and a breathtaking yet bleak landscape. This time, however, we’re trading the Scottish isles for the hauntingly beautiful Welsh coast.

Mali Harries, Richard Harrington and Aneirin Hughes in Hinterland© TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy Stock Photo
Mali Harries, Richard Harrington and Aneirin Hughes star in Hinterland

The Welsh drama, which holds a stellar 83% Rotten Tomatoes score, follows a troubled London detective looking for a fresh start in Aberystwyth, where he quickly finds himself unraveling dark local mysteries.

The series first aired on S4C in Welsh in October 2013, before an English version arrived on the BBC the following year. Its final episode aired in 2016 after three seasons.

What is Hinterland about?

The series follows DCI Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington), who has just left the Metropolitan Police in London in search of a new life in Aberystwyth, Wales.

It’s not long before Tom is called to the scene of a brutal attack at an isolated chalet in the sand dunes.

Richard Harrington in Hinterland© TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy Stock Photo
Richard Harrington stars as tortured cop Tom Mathias

The synopsis for series one continues: “The victim is believed to be a 64-year-old God-fearing woman, Helen Jenkins, but she is nowhere to be found.

“The investigation leads him to the remote village of Devil’s Bridge, where Helen Jenkins’ body is found at the bottom of a deep ravine, not far from the site of the old children’s home that she ran for many years. The home was closed 15 years ago, and the building is now a hotel, but the untouched attic reveals a snapshot of a tortured past. Only by unlocking the secrets of the children’s home can Mathias crack the case and reveal the murderer.”

Who stars in Hinterland?

Richard Harrington (Bleak House) leads the cast as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Mathias.

He’s joined by Mali Harries (The Way) as Detective Inspector Mared Rhys, Alex Harries (Keeping Faith) as Detective Constable Lloyd Elis, Hannah Daniel (EastEnders) as Detective Sergeant Siân Owens and Aneirin Hughes (Keeping Faith) as Chief Superintendent Brian Prosser.

Richard Harrington, Mali Harries in Hinterland© TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy Stock Photo
The series is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

What have viewers said about the show?

The show has amassed a large fan base over the years, who have hailed the series as “excellent” and a “must-watch”.

One person wrote on social media: “Hinterland is a must watch Welsh series. Binged on it for 3 days. Brilliantly written and portrayed. Just the right amount of intensity to keep you glued. 9.5/10,” while another described the series as “haunting, beautiful and bleak”.

A third fan hailed the drama as “one of the best crime shows of the last decade”.

All three seasons of Hinterland are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 

CRE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/906504/shetland-fans-will-love-bbc-crime-drama-hinterland/