Watch River

Name: River
Genre: Drama
Released: October 13, 2015
Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Nicola Walker, Adeel Akhtar

TV-MA
2015
1 Season
8.0 (27,850)

River is a six-part British television drama produced for BBC One in 2015. It stars Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd as the titular character, Detective Inspector John River, who is assigned to investigate the murder of a young woman named Erin Fielding. As he delves into the case, River begins to experience vivid hallucinations of Erin, who becomes his constant companion and helps him solve the crime.

The show is set and filmed in London, with dark and moody cinematography that adds to the overall atmosphere of the series. The show is deeply emotional and psychological, exploring themes of grief, loss, and mental health.

At the beginning of the show, we learn that River is struggling with mental health issues due to the recent loss of his partner and colleague, Detective Sergeant Jackie 'Stevie' Stevenson (played by Nicola Walker). Despite her passing, Stevie continues to visit River in his hallucinations, offering him guidance and companionship. Over the course of the series, it becomes clear that River's mental state is becoming increasingly fragile, with his colleagues becoming concerned for his wellbeing.

As the investigation into Erin's murder progresses, River and his new partner, Detective Sergeant Ira King (played by Adeel Akhtar), uncover a complex web of criminal activity that goes much deeper than they initially suspected. While River's relationship with Erin becomes increasingly complicated, he is also forced to confront his own demons as he tries to come to terms with the past and move on with his life.

One of the standout features of the show is SkarsgÃ¥rd's performance as River. He brings a depth and complexity to the character that is both compelling and deeply moving. As River's mental state deteriorates, SkarsgÃ¥rd portrays his unraveling with a subtle, nuanced touch. Despite the often-dark subject matter, there are also moments of levity and humor, which SkarsgÃ¥rd handles with ease.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Akhtar delivering a standout performance as River's partner. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, providing a much-needed source of light in an often-dark story. The show also features a strong female cast, with Walker's Stevie and Georgina Rich's Rosa Fallows providing compelling supporting roles.

River was created by Abi Morgan, a prolific British television writer who has also worked on shows such as The Hour and The Iron Lady. Her writing is sharp and insightful, drawing the viewer into River's world and keeping them on the edge of their seat until the show's stunning conclusion.

The show's soundtrack is also worth mentioning, with an eclectic mix of music that perfectly captures the mood of each scene. From the haunting hymns that accompany River's hallucinations to the upbeat pop songs that provide moments of levity, the music adds an extra layer of depth to the show.

Overall, River is a masterful piece of television that combines gripping crime drama with deep emotional resonance. It's a must-watch for fans of SkarsgÃ¥rd, as well as those who enjoy complex, character-driven stories. While the show deals with heavy themes, it's ultimately a story of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward.

River is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between October 13, 2015 and on BBC One

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Seasons

6. Episode 6

November 17, 2015

River is convinced that Stevie's investigation into the exploitation of undocumented migrants holds the key to her murder. Further questioning of someone close to the team reveals a system of immigration cases that could lead into some very unexpected places. When a common link to certain businesses is found, it all starts to fall into place for River, with unfortunate repercussions. As Stevie's loved ones reel from the truths unearthed, River holds the future in his hands. How will he keep his final promises to Stevie? How can he keep her secrets for her and do what is right? And, if he solves her murder, can he cope with losing her forever?

5. Episode 5

November 10, 2015

Following the murder in the public library, River and Ira must track down the killer. Their journey takes them deep into the world of the undocumented migrant community in London, a world of international hostels and immigration lawyers. They begin to get a sense of what it was that Stevie might have been unravelling before she died. Was it these investigations she was punished for? And as River finds himself back at the hearing voices group, an unfortunate contribution leads to River being drawn closer to Rosa, his colleague and counsellor. But as River finally finds some solace, Ira is led into the heart of the storm, and the spotlight is thrown onto somebody with an awful lot to lose.

4. Episode 4

November 3, 2015

River's state of mind reaches crisis point as the team launch a manhunt to find the man who owned the car used in Stevie's murder. Was she really as lonely as River thought? As he tries to survive the torment of an uncontrollable manifest, a concerned Rosa encourages River to start attending a group she runs for like-minded troubled souls, with mixed results. Meanwhile a drunken evening at Chrissie's reveals that River may not be the only one with a less-than-perfect personal life. And when he discovers the surprising identity of someone Stevie spoke to the night she died, it looks like he's blown the case wide open.

3. Episode 3

October 27, 2015

With his career and access to the Stevie case resting on the outcome of his psychiatric report, River must keep his unofficial investigations into Stevie's death to himself. This sends tensions high with his new partner Ira, who fears being dragged down by River's instability, and Chrissie, who needs River working on his own caseload, most pressingly investigating a suspicious workplace accident that has left a foreman fighting for his life. But River's mind is elsewhere as the discovery that Stevie has been keeping secrets forces him to reassess how well he knew his best friend and colleague. Unearthing new information about who Stevie spoke with in the lead-up to her murder throws suspicion on somebody close to her - somebody with real motive.

2. Episode 2

October 20, 2015

Still wracked with grief over the death of his friend and partner Jackie 'Stevie' Stevenson, River and his colleagues must attend her wake. There he is surprised to come across her brother Jimmy - recently released after serving sixteen years for a brutal murder, in which Stevie's own evidence was key. River reaches breaking point as he begins to suspect that the man he chased to his death was innocent. The victim's pregnant and unstable girlfriend is on the warpath and pursues River, only to find in him an unexpected ally in a confusing world.

1. Episode 1

October 13, 2015

John River is a respected police officer haunted by the murder victims whose secrets he must uncover. Struggling to come to terms with the recent loss of a close colleague, River chases a potential suspect across London, with tragic consequences. In his fragile mental state, he comes under increasing pressure both from the press and within the police force as calls for his dismissal grow. Meanwhile, the mother of a murdered teenager is growing increasingly desperate - the boyfriend has confessed but no body has been found, and she blames River for failing to make good on his promise to find her daughter.

Description

Where to Watch River

River is available for streaming on the BBC One website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch River on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime and Tubi TV.