Watch Red Riding

Red Riding is a British television miniseries made for Channel 4 and aired in three parts on Sundance Channel in 2009. Set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire Ripper murders in the 1970s and 1980s, it tells the story of a young journalist who becomes obsessed with the case and uncovers a web of corruption and cover-ups that stretches from the local police department to the highest levels of government.

The series is based on four novels by David Peace, collectively known as the Red Riding Quartet, and is directed by three different directors - Julian Jarrold, James Marsh, and Anand Tucker - each of whom brings a distinct visual style and tone to their respective installments. The cast is led by Andrew Garfield, then best known for his work in British theatre and indie films, in the role of Eddie Dunford, the journalist at the center of the story.

Part One, directed by Jarrold, is titled "1974" and introduces us to Dunford as a cocky, ambitious reporter for a provincial newspaper in Leeds. He senses a big story when a young girl goes missing and is soon linked to a series of gruesome murders that have terrorized the city for years. As Dunford digs deeper, he realizes that the police are more interested in pinning the crimes on a suspect than in solving them, and that his paper's own publisher (played by Warren Clarke) may be involved in a cover-up. Meanwhile, Dunford becomes romantically involved with the sister of one of the victims (played by Rebecca Hall) and puts himself in danger as he tries to uncover the truth.

Part Two, directed by Marsh, is titled "1980" and takes us to the West Yorkshire Police, where a new investigator, Peter Hunter (played by Paddy Considine), is brought in to review the Ripper case. Hunter is a maverick who clashes with his colleagues and becomes convinced that the wrong man was convicted of some of the murders. As he delves deeper into the files, he finds evidence of police brutality and collusion with organized crime, and becomes the target of a campaign to discredit him. Meanwhile, Dunford has moved to Manchester and is trying to make a name for himself at a larger newspaper, but finds himself drawn back into the case when his former girlfriend (played by Maxine Peake) contacts him with new information.

Part Three, directed by Tucker, is titled "1983" and brings the various threads of the story together as Dunford and Hunter join forces to expose the corruption and bring the real killers to justice. This installment is the most intense and violent of the three, with several shocking twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It also features standout performances by Sean Bean as a wealthy businessman with ties to the police, David Morrissey as a crooked cop, and Eddie Marsan as a mentally disturbed suspect.

Throughout the series, the Yorkshire landscape is depicted as a bleak, oppressive, and claustrophobic setting that reflects the dark and twisted minds of the killers and their enablers. The use of period-appropriate music, costumes, and production design also adds to the authenticity and mood of the story.

Overall, Red Riding is a gripping and unsettling crime drama that explores the nexus of power, politics, and violence in a particular time and place. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle the graphic content and bleakness, it's a must-see for fans of true crime, neo-noir, and British television.