'Chilling' serial killer drama based on bestseller is your summer TV binge


ITV's new drama, The Dark, starring Laura Donnelly, follows Detective Inspector Monica Kennedy as she hunts down a twisted killer


Laura Donnelly as Detective Monica Kennedy in The Dark© ITV
Nicky Morris
Nicky MorrisActing TV and Film Editor
6 hours ago
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ITV has unveiled a first look at its gripping new serial killer drama, The Dark – and it looks seriously good.

Adapted from G.R. Halliday's debut novel, From the Shadows, the six-part series follows a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase between Detective Inspector Monica Kennedy and a twisted killer in the Scottish Highlands. If, like me, you're a fan of atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat thrillers like The Pembrokeshire Murders and The Fall, this one needs to be on your radar.

Laura Donnelly as Detective Monica Kennedy in The Dark© ITV
Laura Donnelly stars as Detective Monica Kennedy in The Dark

First look photos offer a glimpse of DI Kennedy in action as she tracks her target alongside her new partner, DC Connor Crawford. 

Ahead of the show's premiere this summer, here is everything you need to know…

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What is The Dark about?

Billed as a "chilling serial killer drama," the series follows DI Monica Kennedy as she investigates the discovery of a body found on the coast of the Scottish Highlands. 

The synopsis reads: "When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community. As paranoia rises, suspicions and secrets are forced into the light, and the locals start to realise that there is a serial killer hidden amongst them. 

Helen Baxendale as Bethany Morgan in The Dark© ITV
Helen Baxendale plays distraught mother Bethany Morgan

"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?"

Masked killer in The Dark© ITV
A first look shows a glimpse at the masked killer

The first look photos also show distraught mother Bethany Morgan (Helen Baxendale) holding a gun, as Monica appears on her doorstep once again with a case linked to her missing son. Viewers also get a disturbing glimpse of the masked killer. 

Who stars in The Dark? 

Laura Donnelly (Outlander) leads the cast as Monica Kennedy, alongside Mark Rowley (The Last Kingdom) as DC Connor Crawford and Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet) as Bethany Morgan.

Mark Rowley as Detective Connor Crawford in The Dark
© ITV
Mark Rowley plays Detective Connor Crawford

The Dark will be released on ITVX and STV Player this summer. 

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