Why The Dark is shaping up to be ITV's most chilling crime drama in years

What happens when a close-knit community realises a serial killer could be hiding in plain sight? That's the premise behind The Dark, ITV’s new thriller adapted from G.R. Halliday’s debut novel From The Shadows.  

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, the six-part series follows DI Monica Kennedy (Laura Donnelly) as she investigates the murder of a young man whose body is discovered in a remote glen. But as more victims emerge, what first appears to be an isolated tragedy soon reveals something far more terrifying: a serial killer is hiding within the community. 

But solving the case isn't Monica's only challenge. As the investigation intensifies, secrets from her own past begin to resurface, threatening both the case and the people she loves. 

The Dark premiered on Sunday, 12 July on ITV1 HD (CH 103), and new episodes will be airing every Sunday and Monday at 9pm until the finale on Monday, 27 July. If you'd rather unravel the mystery at your own pace, all six episodes are also available to stream now in Apps > ITVX. 

Read on to find out what makes The Dark one of ITV's most intriguing new crime dramas. 

At the heart of The Dark is DI Monica Kennedy, played by Laura Donnelly, a detective who's built her career investigating the darkest crimes imaginable. Calm, observant and fiercely determined, she's the kind of investigator who never gives up, but that relentless drive comes at a personal cost.  

When the body of a young man is discovered in the Scottish wilderness, Monica fears it's only the beginning. As more victims emerge and paranoia spreads through the close-knit community, she's drawn into a tense game of cat and mouse with a killer who always seems to be one step ahead. 

As Monica hunts a serial killer stalking the Scottish Highlands, she's also forced to confront secrets from her own past. Balancing the demands of the investigation with life as a mother, she begins to question the one thing she's always relied on: her own judgement.

It's that emotional depth that sets Monica apart. While The Dark delivers all the twists and suspense you'd expect from a gripping crime drama, it's also invested in the people behind the investigation, making Monica's journey just as compelling as the mystery she's trying to solve. 

At first glance, The Dark might look like a classic murder mystery, but it quickly sets itself apart. Rather than relying on familiar crime drama staples like police stations, interrogation rooms and forensic labs, the series takes viewers into the vast Scottish Highlands, where the remote landscape becomes as much a part of the mystery as the killer stalking it.

Blending psychological suspense with elements of folk horror, The Dark is about more than solving a string of murders. It's a story about the devastating impact violent crime has on families and close-knit communities, where grief, suspicion and long-buried secrets force everyone to question who they can really trust.

Of course, no good thriller is complete without plenty of twists. As Monica becomes locked in a tense game of cat and mouse with a killer who's always one step ahead, every breakthrough uncovers new suspects and fresh questions.

The series is packed with clever misdirection, keeping viewers guessing right until the end. In fact, most of the cast didn't know who the killer was until the final scripts were revealed, making the ending just as surprising for them as it will be for audiences.

Leading the cast is Laura Donnelly (Outlander) as DI Monica Kennedy, alongside Mark Rowley (The Last Kingdom) as her new detective partner, Connor Crawford. While Monica is guarded and methodical, Crawford's easy-going personality and determination to earn her trust create one of the series' most compelling partnerships.  

They're joined by Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet) as Bethany Morgan, a grieving mother whose family finds itself at the centre of the investigation, and Emun Elliott (Guilt) as her volatile husband Barclay. Completing the core cast is Stella Gonet (The Crown) as Monica's mother, Angela, whose close relationship with her daughter offers moments of warmth amid the darkness surrounding the case.

From its peaceful Highland landscapes to its unsettling murder mystery, The Dark is a crime thriller that knows how to keep viewers on edge. The contrast between Scotland's breathtaking scenery and the horrific crimes at the heart of the story creates an atmosphere where danger could be lurking around every corner. 

The show's darkest moments come not just from the crimes themselves, but from the psychological toll they take on those caught in their wake. As Monica races to stop a killer before they strike again, each new clue uncovers disturbing truths, unexpected suspects and mounting tension that keeps viewers constantly on edge.

But The Dark is more than a gripping whodunnit. It's an unsettling exploration of grief, trauma and the lasting scars violence leaves on families and communities. With every new revelation, the sense of dread deepens, blurring the line between hunter and hunted and making this one of ITV's most chilling thrillers in years.

The first episode of the six-part series The Dark premiered at 9pm on Sunday, 12 July on ITV1 HD (CH 103). New episodes will air on Sundays and Mondays until the finale on Monday, July 27.  

Or, if you want to binge the entire mystery, all six episodes are available to stream on ITVX (Apps > ITVX) now.