“Move Over, Dept. Q!” Nicola Walker’s New Detective Thriller Just Hit ITVX — And the Final 5 Minutes Left Viewers Screaming, Shaking, and Obsessed for Months!
Without warning, ITVX just dropped a 6-part detective thriller so gripping, so emotionally brutal, and so twist-filled that fans are bingeing it in one night and spiraling for weeks. Nicola Walker delivers a powerhouse performance in a dark mystery packed with betrayals, buried secrets, and a finale that flips everything upside down. Viewers say it’s “better than Dept. Q,” “more intense than Broadchurch,” and “the most haunting crime drama in years.” Prepare to be obsessed for months. The final 5 minutes? You’ll never sleep again.
ITVX Quietly Drops Nicola Walker’s ‘Gripping’ Detective Thriller — And Fans Say It’s Even Better Than Dept. Q
“I wasn’t ready for that ending…” That’s the consensus from stunned viewers who just discovered a newly added detective thriller on ITVX — and it stars none other than Nicola Walker in one of her most powerful, emotionally gutting roles to date.
The show? River. The verdict? A dark, devastating masterpiece that some say outshines even Netflix’s wildly popular Dept. Q.
Originally aired in 2015, River flew under the radar for years. But its recent, quiet arrival on ITVX has reignited a storm of praise and curiosity. Described by early viewers as “the best crime series you’ve never seen,” this six-part psychological thriller is fast becoming a word-of-mouth sensation — especially among fans who thought nothing could top the Scandi noir boom.
What is River about?
Starring Stellan Skarsgård as Detective Inspector John River and Nicola Walker as DS Jackie ‘Stevie’ Stevenson, River is not your typical police drama. It begins like a crime procedural but quickly morphs into something more poetic, heartbreaking, and surreal.
The twist? DS Stevenson, River’s beloved partner, has been murdered — and yet, she never truly leaves. Haunted by her presence (and others), River grapples with his fractured mental state while trying to solve her murder. It’s a ghost story, a detective thriller, and a raw portrayal of grief and guilt all rolled into one.
And at the emotional center of it all is Nicola Walker — delivering a performance so magnetic, fans are still reeling.
“Better than Dept. Q”? Fans weigh in
River doesn’t rely on fast-paced action or flashy twists. Instead, it burrows deep into its characters’ minds — exposing trauma, loneliness, and how memory can both heal and haunt. Viewers who discovered it for the first time on ITVX are calling it “a soul-shattering masterpiece.”
“Dept. Q was brilliant, but River made me cry like no crime drama ever has. It’s not just a mystery — it’s therapy through fiction.”
“I didn’t think anything could top Dept. Q for emotional impact, but the final 10 minutes of River destroyed me. Nicola Walker and Stellan Skarsgård are on another level.”
Critics agree: A ‘slow-burn symphony’ worth the watch
Though River has always been praised by critics, its understated nature meant it never reached mainstream popularity — until now. With ITVX making it widely available, the drama is finally getting the second life it deserves.
Rotten Tomatoes gives River an impressive 100% critics score, while fans consistently rate it as one of the most underrated British dramas in years.
Why now? The perfect storm of re-discovery
As viewers seek out deeper, more complex crime stories beyond the formulaic whodunit, River is proving to be the unexpected answer. With comparisons to Broadchurch, Line of Duty, and The Fall, the show sits in elite company — and some argue, surpasses it.
Its re-release couldn’t be better timed, especially as fans of Dept. Q and Adolescence hunger for more psychologically rich, character-driven crime thrillers.
Where to watch
All six episodes of River are now available to stream on ITVX. Whether you’re watching for the first time or revisiting to catch the emotional details you missed, be warned — once you start, you won’t stop until you’ve reached the haunting, unforgettable final scene.
And when you do? Don’t be surprised if you find yourself saying: “This might just be better than Dept. Q.”
