SECRET society

A dedicated cop searches for a missing teenager on a sinister pagan island

The Red King Wed, 9pm, Alibi (box set, Sky Box Sets, Virgin TV Box Sets & NOW)

Gritty police procedural meets eerie folk horror in Alibi’s new crime drama The Red King, which follows a dogged cop who uncovers terrifying secrets on a remote island.

The six-part series, penned by Being Human’s Toby Whithouse, centres on spirited Sergeant

Grace Narayan (Anjli Mohindra), who, after speaking out against corruption within her inner-city police force, is ostracised and sent to a new post on the (fictional) isle of St Jory, off the Welsh coast.

OUTSIDER

‘Grace is a by-thebook officer who thrives on seeking justice the right way – she’s like a dog with a bone who doesn’t give up,’ says Vigil and The Lazarus Project’s Mohindra, 34.

‘Grace knows this punishment posting is an attempt at making her leave the force and she’s determined not to let that be the case.’

But as Grace tries to settle into her new home, she grows increasingly disturbed by life on the island, which adheres to its own pagan religion, the True Way, and she learns that the locals worship a deity called The Red King.

‘The island has become the perfect breeding ground for a cult to take hold, and they don’t like outsiders,’ says Mohindra.

‘Grace soon rubs people up the wrong way.’

Among the locals who

Grace encounters are retired cop Gruffudd Prosser (Men Up’s Mark Lewis Jones) and steely landowner Lady Heather Nancarrow (Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh).

‘Heather has been raised on this island and is like the lady of the manor,’ explains Andoh, 61. ‘She feels a maternal responsibility for the islanders. But she also has a vice-like grip and wants to stay in charge. There’s a danger that Grace

‘The island has become the perfect breeding ground for a cult to take hold’ ANJLI MOHINDRA

is going to upset the rhythm of the island, and Heather doesn’t want that challenge…’ Grace soon makes even more enemies on St Jory when she starts delving into the unsolved case of missing teenager Cai, the son of troubled doctor Ian Prideaux (Van Der Valk’s Marc Warren), and the locals quickly close ranks. But as Grace makes some shocking discoveries, what lies behind the boy’s mysterious disappearance?

FEAR AND DISTRUST

‘A lot of people are keeping secrets. We kept comparing it to The Traitors because it feels like people are constantly hiding things,’ teases Mohindra. ‘There’s fear and distrust. It becomes a classic whodunnit with red herrings, and Grace is pushed to the limit.’

Although the series is set in Wales, it was actually filmed in Northumberland and the cast were delighted to immerse themselves in the rugged coastline, with dolphins seen swimming offshore.

‘By the end of the shoot, I had seen so many dolphins,’ smiles Andoh. ‘There’s so much beauty there, so there’s a comforting feel to this world of St Jory – which makes everything worse when things start to happen…’

Douglas Carrisford Sam Swainsbury St Jory’s caring vicar was close to missing teen Cai and is glad that Grace is looking into why the boy vanished. Dr Ian Prideaux Marc Warren Heavy-drinking and traumatised, the GP is desperate to find his son Cai, who vanished a year earlier. DCI Ann Fletcher Jill Halfpenny When she arrives from the mainland to join the investigation, the no-nonsense detective’s attitude surprises Grace. Sergeant Grace Narayan Anjli Mohindra The gung-ho cop becomes embroiled in the sinister case of Cai’s disappearance when she is sent to Welsh island St Jory.

Gruffudd Prosser Mark Lewis Jones The belligerent ex-cop resents Grace’s presence and wants her to stop investigating Cai’s disappearance. Lady Heather Nancarrow Adjoa Andoh The seemingly genial landowner has an uncompromising core and will do anything to protect life on St Jory. Owen Parry James Bamford The young cop is Grace’s colleague on the island and he comes to appreciate her skills.