David Tennant crime drama is leaving Netflix viewers ‘captivated from beginning to end’

Whenever an actor plays an iconic role, it can become hard for them to find success in other avenues.

It took Robert Downey Jr several years to shake Tony Stark off, while Matt Smith post-Doctor Who went through a couple of years where his only big role was in 2015's Terminator Genisys.

It’s all the more impressive than that David Tennant has not just shrugged off the role of The Doctor, but has found a new, even stronger niche.

The drama series stars David Tennant (Channel 4)

Tennant consistently finds himself in outstanding British drama shows, with many of them being the most grizzly and unsettling crime shows on TV.

Whether it be Broadchurch, Litvinenko, Des, or one of the less grizzly shows such as Staged or Good Omens – Tennant has had a post-Doctor career that many would envy on its own.

And Netflix fans have found yet another show of his to lose themselves in and it can be watched all in a single night.

You can check out the trailer here:

The show in question is Deadwater Fell, where Tennant’s character becomes suspect number one in the murder of his wife and three kids.

Also starring Cush Jumbo and Matthew McNulty, the series has only four 45-minute episodes, so whilst it will stay with you for much longer – it can easily be watched in one night.

It was originally produced by Channel 4, however, it has since made its way over to Netflix.

Tennant plays a dark role in the show. (Channel 4)

When added to the platform, an influx of new fans came in – nearly all of whom were gripped by the show.

A fan on the subreddit r/BritishTV posted about the show, saying: ‘Captivated me from beginning to end’.

One viewer posted on X: “I want to rewatch Deadwater Fell. For me, one of the best David Tennant roles. That character is creepy.”

Another said: “F**king HELL Deadwater Fell is THE BEST THING I’ve watched in a LONG time!”

With an 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, most reviewers seem to agree – with The Guardian previously giving it four out five stars.

Critics and audience members alike were captivated by Tennant's performance. (Channel 4)

Their review by Lucy Mangan called the show ‘the new Broadchurch ... but more irresistible’.

They said: “Whether it will catch the public imagination like Broadchurch did is anybody’s guess.

“It feels far more solidly engineered, easily as convincing in its portrait of a small community suddenly shattered by an awful event, and it elicits more emotional investment from the off.”

‘Broadchurch but better’ is an advert I will never be able to ignore.