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Season 1 – River

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – River Oct 2015 Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Stellan Skarsgård stars as John River, a brilliant police officer whose genius and fault line is the fragility of his mind. He is a man haunted by the murder victims whose secrets he must unlock, a man who walks a professional tightrope between a pathology so extreme he risks permanent dismissal, and a healthy state of mind that could cure him of his gift. Created and written by Emmy and BAFTA winning screenwriter Abi Morgan, this enthralling thriller pushes viewers' expectations of crime drama in bold and unexpected ways.
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River — Season 1

River — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

River is a richly rewarding mystery that finds Stellan Skarsgård at the peak of his powers, ably rising to the nuances of Abi Morgan's pathos-laden teleplay.

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Critics Reviews

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Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News 08/17/2023
3.5/4
What tips it over are the performances, from Skarsgard’s haunted, lonely detective to Walker’s effervescent turn. Go to Full Review Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald 08/18/2021
Stellan Skarsgard brings immense gravitas and an extraordinary ability to change mood and mode in an instant in this engrossing crime series created by Emmy-winning writer Abi Morgan. Go to Full Review Ben Travis London Evening Standard 04/16/2019
Starring Stellan Skarsgård as Detective John River and Nicola Walker as his partner Stevie, the detective drama stood out in an overcrowded genre with its compelling scripts and unusual elements courtesy of writer Abi Morgan. Go to Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said 07/31/2020
River is one of those offbeat, magical series that comes along occasionally, bursting with possibility, whose leading character is in some ways the best and worst of us, whom we immediately recognise. Go to Full Review Pat Stacey The Herald (Ireland) 04/16/2019
River is a dazzling feat of high-wire writing without a safety net. Go to Full Review Brian Donaldson The List 04/16/2019
5/5
River may well blow it in the remaining four episodes, but as a starting point, the opening salvos are heartbreakingly great. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mary Ann F @RT70986907 Jan 22 Always love Stellan, but damn, this story is dreary. Maybe the weight of the world is too heavy in 2026 to get into this show now. I love deep dramas, but the relentless sadness of this one puts another serving of ache on the plate that I just don't need. Maybe I'll try it again some other time. See more Paulette M @Paulette432 Jan 11 Would watch it over and over Fabulous especially the last episode A See more Alene F @Alene Dec 2 Depressing as hell to see him always having visions of dead people with their heads blown off. Who needs it? See more Martha P @RT81266641 Aug 16 Skarsgard and Walker are brilliant in this wonderful and moving series. See more Joel G @RT44654526 10/29/2023 River, the british series from 2015, is the very best there is -- others may reach the same standard, though very few, but none can surpass this brilliantly crafted and performed limited series. Stellan Skarsgaard and Nicola Walker demonstrate a chemistry that is unmatched -- and the entire supporting cast is equally powerful. I've watched and rewatched many times and have yet to find it repetitious. Onceyou watch it, tell all your friends. See more Marianna K @RT00009010 08/10/2023 Incredibly moving and raw depiction of loss and grief set against an intriguing mystery crime setting. Couldn't help but wonder at the therapist/detective relationship though.... ! What therapist would realistically be ok that the client is stalking her, clearly obsessed with her and turning up unannounced repeatedly outside of work?! She even seemed flattered at the attention he gives to her to send absolute abuse her way. It's out of character that the River character would be that chauvinistic to think it's ok to speak to a woman like that and act in such a predatory way. Otherwise, top notch :P See more Read all reviews
River — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Stellan Skarsgård

Actor

Nicola Walker

Actor

Lesley Manville

Actor

Eddie Marsan

Actor

Michael Maloney

Tom Read

Chris Carey

Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 13, 2015 Struggling to come to terms with the loss of a colleague, John River chases a potential suspect across London; meanwhile, the mother of a murdered teenager grows desperate and blames River for failing to make good on his promise to find her daughter. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 20, 2015 Still wracked with grief at the death of his colleague, River's mental fragility is further strained as he begins to suspect that the man he chased to his death was innocent. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 27, 2015 With his career and access to the Stevie case resting on the outcome of his psychiatric report, River must keep his unofficial investigations into Stevie's death to himself, creating tension with his new partner Ira. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 3, 2015 The investigation into Stevie's murder changes direction when CCTV footage shows her to be closely involved with an illegal immigrant who owned the car that was used in her murder; the police launch a manhunt to track him down. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 10, 2015 Following the murder in the public library, River and Ira must track down the killer; their journey takes them deep into the world of the undocumented migrant community in London, a world of international hostels and immigration lawyers. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 17, 2015 As the fractured events of Stevie's murder start to swim into focus for River, the awful truth places more pressure than ever on his worsening state of mind. Details

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River — Season 1

River River River River View more photos

Season Info

Director
Richard Laxton
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Oct 13, 2015
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