Watch Manhunt (2019)

Manhunt is a British crime drama television series that premiered in 2019 on Acorn TV. The show follows the true story of the investigation into the 2004 murder of French student Amélie Delagrange in London, England. The series is led by veteran actor Martin Clunes who plays Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton, the head of the homicide investigation team tasked with solving the crime.

As the series opens, viewers are introduced to Amélie Delagrange as she is attacked and killed in a quiet South West London park. The investigation is led by DCI Colin Sutton, a seasoned detective who is tasked with trying to solve the seemingly random murder. Amélie is a French national studying in London who had been out with friends earlier in the evening. Her body is discovered the next morning by a passerby, and no witnesses come forward to provide any leads.

As the investigation progresses, the team begins to look at other similar cases of young women who have been attacked in the same area around the same time as Amélie's murder. It becomes clear that they are dealing with a serial attacker and that he may still be on the loose. The investigation takes the team to France, where they discover a similar attack occurred that may be linked to Amélie's murder.

Throughout the series, viewers are given a glimpse into the life of Colin Sutton, a man deeply committed to his job and his family. He is a thoughtful, compassionate detective who takes the lead on the most challenging cases. He is supported by his team, including his trusted colleague DCI Steve Wilkins (played by Stephen Wight), who is tasked with overseeing the wider aspects of the investigation.

The show doesn't shy away from the toll that this type of work can take on the investigators. Colin feels the weight of responsibility for finding Amélie's killer, but he also struggles with his own personal demons. He has a strained relationship with his son, who is struggling with personal issues, and he is also dealing with the fallout of a previous investigation that went wrong.

The show is grounded in realism, and the creators have gone to great lengths to accurately depict the events that led to the conviction of Amélie's killer. They use real-life footage from the investigation and trial to further illustrate the story. There is a strong emphasis on the painstaking work that goes into solving a case like this, from analyzing CCTV footage to interviewing witnesses and uncovering DNA evidence.

The series also explores the impact that the investigation had on the families of the victims and the killer. The families of the victims are left to deal with the aftermath of the crimes, unsure if justice will ever be served. The killer's family is also thrust into the spotlight, grappling with the fact that their loved one could be capable of such heinous acts.

The show's cast delivers strong performances all around, but it is Martin Clunes who is truly the standout. He is excellent as Colin Sutton, portraying him as both a driven investigator and a complicated human being. He brings a depth of emotion to the role that makes it easy to connect with his character.

Overall, Manhunt is a gripping and deeply affecting series that explores the cost of crime, both for the victims and those who are tasked with bringing the perpetrators to justice. It is a well-crafted drama that is not to be missed.