UK viewers can now tune into an ‘engrossing’ Australian crime drama.
The six-part series Savage River was directed by The Dressmaker’s Jocelyn Moorhouse, while it was also led by Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Don McAlpine (Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet).
Initially released in 2022, it starred Katherine Langford – best known for starring in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, as well as Cursed, Love, Simon and Knives Out. This week it was also released on ITVX, where the entire series can be watched for free.
The synopsis for the series teased how her character Miki Anderson ‘returns to her hometown in rural Victoria after ten years in prison, intending to get on with her life.’
However, after a murder is committed in the town and the townspeople suspect Miki, she must set out to prove her innocence.
Upon its release the series drew comparisons to Broadchurch and Sharp Objects.
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As The Age wrote: ‘As its name suggests, there’s nothing inviting about the town of Savage River. The atmosphere is menacing and the residents appear tense and worn down by their lives. It’s a community scarred by a violent past and riven by covert animosities and allegiances.’
Meanwhile The West Australian shared in its review of the show: ‘Unsettling, beautiful to look at and impeccably acted – this series looks set to be a hit. If you loved Sharp Objects, you’ll devour this excellent new drama. A must-see.’
‘Savage River refuses racist, misogynist and classist tropes. Here, the sense of menace emanates from the town’s patriarchal, capitalist leaders who have made their fortune by slaughtering animals. The apathy and racism of police is problematised, and white, male power is explored as a corrupting influence. The show has a whole lot of heart, too, with some truly endearing characters. With a ripping plot, the story will sweep you away,’ The Conversation wrote.
Fans of the series also shared their thoughts on IMDB.
‘Savage River was a brilliantly paced crime/drama with an incredible cast to back it up. From the outset, the plot line found a grounded feel, and escalated in a suspenseful, subversive manner,’ lachie-ince shared.
‘Give it a watch, it’ll definitely make you think, sad, thankful, sympathetic, angry, happy, cry, and lose sleep cause you won’t want to stop watching,’ ntgselucy posted.
‘The series held my complete attention right to the end, and I was really moved by the final moments – this was so well done,’ Lu_Dan added.
Savage River also starred Apple Cider Vinegar’s Mark Coles Smith, The Newsreader’s Robert Grubb, The Doctor Blake Mysteries’ Nadine Garner, Mix Tape’s Jacqueline McKenzie, The Babadook’s Daniel Henshall and One of Us Is Lying’s Cooper Van Grootel.
It also stars All Saints’ Virginia Gay as police detective Rachel Kennedy, a local who got pregnant when she was a teenager, got married, got divorced and then moved away to pursue her career.
Speaking to The Age, the actress said her early discussions with the creative team about the show likened it to ‘an Australian Broadchurch, with that sense that everybody’s got a motive, everybody’s got an alibi, and those alibis are connected to other people who also have a motive’.
‘I really responded to the writing, which was so much about things existing in the shared looks. These are people who are used to seeing each other and who know each other’s mannerisms, so just a look lets you know that there’s something between them.
‘I loved being a part of a story where the visual language was as important to the storytelling as what characters are saying to each other.’
Savage River is streaming on ITVX.
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