The main reason to watch the series 'Deadwater Fell' is the presence of David Tennant. And he fully lives up to expectations.

David Tennant is known as an incredibly talented actor who most often showcases his skills in TV series, such as 'Doctor Who', 'Broadchurch', 'Jessica Jones', 'Good Omens' and so on. This year, he once again decided to try his hand at a multi-episode project, choosing the miniseries 'Deadwater Fell', which we will discuss in our latest review.

Setup in the Spirit of Classic English Detective Stories

The story, without unnecessary buildup, immerses viewers in a real tragedy that shakes a remote town in Scotland - a fire occurs in which a woman and her two children die. Neighbors, including a police officer, manage to save only the head of the family. The accident theory is immediately ruled out, as all victims' bodies show injection marks.

Having hooked the viewer with a rather intriguing mystery, the show's creators, led by director Lynsey Miller of all 4 episodes, begin to introduce the audience to the characters, including through flashbacks. And, jumping ahead a bit, it's worth saying that this technique saves the series from complete failure.

Family Drama, Not a Detective Story

The mystery in 'Deadwater Fell' does not work at all. Two suspects are immediately identified, and figuring out who is guilty is not difficult even for the least ardent fans of the detective genre. Attempts to confuse the viewer seem weak, no other potential culprits are introduced, and the only possible witness is a young drug addict, which does not add value or coherence to the story.

All this suggests that if you expect a convoluted detective story with numerous variables, a complex investigation, and unexpected motives for the criminal, you'd better rewatch 'Broadchurch'. The project 'Deadwater Fell' is more of a family drama, as the creators are more concerned with revealing abusive relationships or problems with artificial insemination when there are children from another marriage.

Here, literally everyone suffers and cries: the male police officer who didn't notice the problem under his nose and doesn't feel his own wife, his wife who cannot conceive naturally, Tennant's character who lost his family in the fire, his mother who doesn't understand why she has to endure such a tragedy, and the young man who inadvertently became a part of this whole story.

The problem with the mystery, as well as the authors' desire to squeeze tears from viewers, is quite successfully diluted by flashbacks, which not only reveal the character of Anna Madeley, who died on that fateful night, but also add some dynamics and even action (if a random accident can be called that).

Tennant Is Magnificent

The main reason to watch the series 'Deadwater Fell' is the presence of David Tennant. And he fully lives up to expectations. Although he is a bit reminiscent of his own character from the brilliant 'The Escape', who is an innocent lamb one second and a bloodthirsty wolf the next, skillfully balancing between these two facets throughout the narrative.

No actor or actress of similar talent and skill appears on screen, making this show a one-man performance. Tennant can be praised endlessly, but one would like to note his selectivity in roles, which is currently not possible.

Is It Worth Watching 'Deadwater Fell'?

By and large, this is a passable project; skipping it you will lose absolutely nothing. At the same time, for fans of David Tennant, perhaps the best British television actor, this is another opportunity to enjoy the brilliant performance of their favorite. The decision is yours as always!

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