Trigger Point meets Cold Feet: The Dark is the “hide behind the sofa” crime thriller coming to ITV

When ITV describes a series as a "hide behind the sofa" thriller, you know it's going to be good, which is why we're already heavily invested in its upcoming series, The Dark. The new crime thriller will introduce us to DI Monica Kennedy (Laura Donnelly) who embarks on a tense cat-and-mouse hunt for a twisted serial killer across the Scottish wilderness and, with stars from Trigger Point (Mark Rowley) and Cold Feet (Helen Baxendale) in it, it's set to be quite the TV moment.

Fortunately, Monica isn't alone on her mission; she also has her new professional partner DC Connor Crawford (Mark Rowley) for company, which she's certainly going to need. Because when the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the countryside, it soon becomes apparent that this isn't a one-off - and she’s about to uncover a whole string of killings carried out by a wily criminal.

While we patiently wait for The Dark to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.

What is The Dark about?

The six-part series, which is based on the 2019 novel From The Shadows by Edinburgh-born author G. R. Halliday, follows Scottish detective Monica Kennedy (Laura Donnelly), who’s called upon when the body of a young man is found in the Scottish wilderness. The body is staged in an eerie way, and DI Kennedy believes it's just the beginning of a horrifying campaign. As rumours and gossip spreads among the rural community, the locals quickly realise that there’s a serial killer in the vicinity.

ITV’s official synopsis continues: “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?”

Of what viewers can expect, Ben Stephenson of Poison Pen (who are producing the series) commented: “The Dark is a gripping hide behind the sofa thriller with unguessable twists and a central character whose mysterious past gives her an extraordinary insight into a twisted killer as well as an overpowering empathy for those left in the killer's wake.”

ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill also shared a taste of what's in store, calling the series “a compelling new drama which introduces the fearless DI Monica Kennedy, who has to try and catch a serial killer in this really chilling Scottish story. Matt’s adaptation is brilliantly gripping and I am delighted to be adapting this novel with him and the team at Poison Pen.”

Who’s in the cast of The Dark?

The cast of The Dark includes:

• Laura Donnelly (The Nevers, Sugar) as Detective Monica Kennedy
• Mark Rowley (Trigger Point, Karen Pirie) as Detective Connor Crawford
• Emun Elliott (The Gold, Sexy Beast) as Barclay Adams
• Helen Baxendale (Noughts + Crosses, Cuckoo) as Bethany
• Rona Morrison (Our Ladies, Macbeth)
• Cal MacAninch (Trigger Point, Downton Abbey)
• Stella Gonet (The Salisbury Poisonings, Breeders)
• Phil McKee (The Rig, Professor T)
• Tunji Kasim (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Nancy Drew)
• Catherine McCormack (Lockerbie: a Search for Truth, 28 Weeks Later)

Is G. R. Halliday's book, In the Shadows, any good?

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Yes - it's a pacy and gripping read, with the dark Scottish landscape providing the perfect backdrop for the mystery at the centre of it. The novel was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Debut Prize in 2019 and, excitingly, given that it's the first in a trilogy that also includes Halliday’s Dark Waters and Under the Marsh, it seems there’s scope for ITV to consider a follow-up series.

How can I watch The Dark?

ITV hasn’t announced a release date for The Dark yet, but do know that it will air at some point this summer. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here.