If you’re fed up of searching for something good to watch, we've got just the thing in the form of TV's most underrated drama. Dead Still, which first aired in the UK in 2020, is the kind of detective drama you start watching and before you know it, three hours have passed. Michael Smiley is unbeatable as the post-mortem photographer who finds himself dragged into a bizarre murder investigation – and if you’re a fan of Midsomer Murders, it really is the perfect series.

The six-part series takes us to 1880s Dublin (when post-mortem photography was a thing) and pairs Brock Blennerhasset (Michael Smiley) with an unlikely team – his quick-thinking niece Nancy Vickers (Eileen O’Higgins), assistant Conall Molloy (Kerr Logan) and a determined detective who's investigating a string of murders that are seemingly linked to Brock. But can they solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again?

With the series available to watch stream now via Prime Video, here’s everything you need to know about Dead Still before you tune in, including the plot, cast, and how to watch it.

What is Dead Still about?

dead still
Bernard Walsh

Set in Victorian Dublin at the height of the trend for post-mortem photography, the six-part series follows popular memorial photographer Brock Blennerhasset (Michael Smiley) who has a unique talent for photographing the deceased. But what starts as an insight into the profession quickly becomes a murder mystery when several suspicious deaths appear to be linked to his work.

Frederick Regan (Aidan O’Hare) is the detective tasked with investigating a string of murders that have been staged to look eerily similar to Brock’s photographs. So, what does that mean for Brock? Well, his reputation, his livelihood and his freedom are on the line so, along with his niece Nancy Vickers (Eileen O’Higgins) and Conall, the unlikely team work together to uncover the truth.

Speaking to Willow and Thatch about the drama, writer John Morton explained the show's dark undertone. “The overarching plot of the series is about a serial killer implementing a very early progenitor of the modern concept of ‘snuff photography’ so it’s definitely not all sweetness and light," he said.

"And I didn’t want to make those elements feel too comic. It’s very much morbid, gallows humour and I’ve tried to keep a good sense of absurdness to the series, but it’s predominantly got to function as a murder mystery. In real life things can get serious or absurd, often all at the same time so the show tries to represent that!”

Who’s in the cast of Dead Still?

three victoria era people staring into camera
Deadpan Pictures/Bernard Walsh

The cast of Dead Still includes:

  • Michael Smiley (Kill List, Free Fire) as Brock Blennerhasset
  • Kerr Logan (Alias Grace, C.B. Strike) as Conall Molloy
  • Eileen O’Higgins (Brooklyn, Mary Queen of Scots) as Nancy Vickers
  • Aidan O’Hare (Jackie, Kin) as Frederick Regan
  • Mark Rendall (Transplant, Departure) as Percy Cummins
  • Jimmy Smallhorne (Darklands) as Cecil Carruthers
  • Rhys Dunlop (The Secret, The Climb) as Ronnie Roper
  • Peter Campion (Faithless, Derry Girls) as Henry Vickers
  • Aoife Duffin (Moone Boy) as Betty Regan
  • Patrick FitzSymons (Doctors) as William Glendinning
  • Shane Lennon (Krypton) as Harry Farrelly

How can I watch Dead Still?

All six episodes of Dead Still are available on Acorn TV via Prime Video.

Is there a trailer for Dead StillI?

Yes, you can watch the trailer for Dead Still below:

Is Dead Still any good?

a historical scene featuring a man beside an old camera
Bernard Walsh

Yes - while it hasn't necessarily received as much praise as it should have, the show's unique premise really sets it apart from other detective dramas. It's dark at times, but there's humour, too, and fans have called it “absolutely delightful” for good reason. If you're a Midsomer Murders fan or enjoy a cosy-ish drama, it's well worth a watch.

What other detective dramas can I watch now?

murdoch mysteries a man and a woman staring at a machine
UKTV

Another brilliantly binge-worthy detective drama is Murdoch Mysteries, which follows the titular William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) who fights crime in early 20th century Canada. The determined detective has earned a reputation as the country’s go-to investigator thanks to using innovative methods like fingerprinting and ultraviolet lights. Murdoch Mysteries is available to watch on NOW. We'd also recommend Copper, which revolves around Irish American detective Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones) who works New York’s notorious Five Points neighbourhood in the 1860s. Copper is available to watch on U.