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True Detective: Night Country Sky Atlantic ●●●●●

I watched, and was gripped by, the first season of True Detective but gave its second and third runs a miss.

Given the critical reception to both, it was probably for the best, however things looked a lot more promising for fourth series Night Country.

The main selling point is Jodie Foster’s return to the world of crime as she stars as Liz Danvers who, along with Kali Reis’ Evangeline Navarro, must solve the disappearance of eight men from a research station among freezing conditions in Alaska.

The show is based in the fictional town of Ennis, located near the Arctic Circle, and gets its name as it’s set during the polar night, when there is no sunrise for several weeks.

This darkness adds another layer of atmosphere, danger and unpredictablity to the case the detectives are investigating.

Night Country was created by Issa López, who serves as showrunner, writer and director, and is the first season without the direct involvement of original developer Nic Pizzolatto – still credited as an executive producer.

The series focuses on local indigenous people, employment issues and mental health.

All the characters, and in particular Navarro and Danvers, are given a hard time of things over the course of the six episodes, with both having to deal with a lot in their personal lives.

Isabella Lablanc stars as Danvers’ teenage step- daughter Leah who is going through personal identity crisis.

Navarro’s sister Julia, played by Aka Niviana, gives a wonderful, heartbreaking and realistic portrayal of someone dealing with mental health problems.

Neither of the main detectives are very likeable human beings, and they are not particularly fond of each other either.

They hit out against various people in their lives but their struggles, strength and determination to get to the truth get you rooting for them by the end.

The duo’s case coincides with an old murder case close to Navarro’s heart and there is also an unexpected, possibly supernatural, element.

Overall this was a gripping and a great watch and I’m glad I returned to the show.

● Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your movie or TV show recommendations to your fellow readers.

Chill down their spines Jodie Foster and Kali Reis