On August 14, 2025, ITVX quietly unleashed Annika Season 2, a gripping detective drama starring Nicola Walker that has fans screaming over its final five-minute twist, outshining even Department Q in suspense. The six-episode series, a hit on BBC One before streaming on ITVX, follows DI Annika Strandhed, a sharp-witted Norwegian detective leading Glasgow’s Marine Homicide Unit. The season’s shocking climax, described as “mind-blowing” by viewers, has sent X into a frenzy, cementing Annika as the year’s most addictive thriller.

Episodes | Masterpiece

Walker, 55, shines as Annika, a single mother solving gruesome coastal murders while navigating personal turmoil. Season 2 dives deeper into her psyche, with cases tied to Scotland’s waterways, from a body found in a sunken ship to a chilling lighthouse murder. The final episode’s twist—revealing a personal connection between Annika and the killer—left fans floored. “Those last 5 minutes broke me!” tweeted @TVAddict22, while @CrimeFanUK posted, “Move over, Dept Q! Annika’s twist is unreal!” The series, adapted from a BBC Radio 4 play, boasts a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, per Radio Times.

The show’s strength lies in Walker’s fourth-wall-breaking monologues, blending dry humor with raw vulnerability, as noted by The Guardian. Her chemistry with co-stars Jamie Sives (DS Michael McAndrews) and Katie Leung (DC Blair Ferguson) adds depth, while Glasgow’s moody landscapes amplify the tension. “It’s darker and more personal than Season 1,” creator Nick Walker told What’s On TV. The twist, kept secret during filming in Argyll, has sparked theories about a Season 3, with ITVX hinting at a 2026 renewal, per Express.

Fans on X praise Annika’s blend of cozy crime and psychological depth, with #AnnikaS2 trending globally. “Nicola Walker carries this show to another level,” posted @DramaQueen88. Compared to Department Q’s gritty Nordic noir, Annika offers a warmer yet equally intense vibe, with 1.5 million viewers per episode, per BARB. Some warn the twist’s emotional weight requires tissues, with @ViewerVibes tweeting, “You’ve been warned—don’t binge alone!”

As Annika dominates ITVX, its final twist has redefined the detective genre, leaving fans reeling and craving more. Stream it now, but brace for a finale that will haunt you long after the credits roll.