ITV’s ‘After the Flood’ tackles murder and climate change in its return
ITV’s 2024 series After the Flood returns with a harrowing narrative involving murder set against the backdrop of environmental concern, initiating with a dramatically staged flood that engulfs a Yorkshire town, reports BritPanorama.
The new season introduces the troubling aftermath of moorland fires, which have now begun to plague the fictional community of Waterside. The local landowning family, depicted as indifferent to ecological responsibility, resorts to burning heather to prepare for the grouse-shooting season. A protester highlights the consequences, stating that burning the moor leads to increased water runoff, contributing to future flooding.
As tensions rise, the plot thickens when a blood-stained van is discovered, leading detective Joanne Marshall, played by Sophie Rundle, to the body of a young church warden found amongst the scorched heather. This character is soon joined by another victim, both of whom were killed under suspicious circumstances.
Rundle’s portrayal of Jo complements a cast that includes Lorraine Ashbourne as Jo’s mother, a local councillor whose combined parental and political duties add depth to the narrative. With the arrival of property developer Jack Radcliffe, Jo faces personal and professional challenges, momentarily reflecting on the past while navigating current dilemmas.
DS Phil Mackie, portrayed by Nicholas Gleaves, emerges as a formidable antagonist, characterized by his corruption and menace. He manipulates Jo and her estranged husband, Pat, leveraging potentially incriminating information to maintain control over them.
The groundwork laid in the first series culminates as Jo and Pat covertly investigate Mackie’s actions, despite the risk of severe repercussions. The plot intertwines police corruption with personal stakes, echoing familiar themes found in past works like Line of Duty.
Though some critics have described After the Flood as “Happy Valley-lite,” the series offers unique explorations of contemporary issues and ecological themes, setting it apart from its comparisons. While Jo Marshall’s character lacks the dramatic intensity of Catherine Cawood from Happy Valley, Mackie is positioned as a villain reminiscent of Tommy Lee Royce, creating a complex and engaging narrative.
‘After the Flood’ continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV1
