Channel 5 detective drama that’s ‘better than Vera’ returning for season 2
The show has been hailed as 'groundbreaking'.
The widely praised Channel 5 detective series Ellis will return for a second season after proving a huge hit for the newly rebranded network.
The three-episode show came out in October 2024 and sees the titular FBI agent, played by Mr Loverman star Sharon D. Clarke, ‘parachuted in to resolve failing investigations’.
The ‘tenacious cop’ follows a trail of ‘cryptic clues’ as she is drawn into a ‘complex conspiracy’ alongside her right-hand man, DS Harper (Andrew Gower).
The show was watched by 2.4 million viewers when it was first released, with each episode coming in at a whopping runtime of one hour and 30 minutes.
The groundbreaking crime drama is also the first in the UK to feature a solo Black female lead.
The Bafta-nominated star celebrated the renewal, sharing: ‘I am thrilled to return as DCI Ellis. The response to the first series was overwhelming, and I am excited to continue this journey with such a talented team, especially with the wonderful Andrew Gower by my side.
Each episode is 90 minutes long (Picture: Channel 5)‘Ellis is a character who resonates deeply, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what we have in store for her and Harper in series two.’
Acorn Media Enterprises (Acorn TV) added: ‘Ellis was an instant fan-favourite for the Acorn TV audience and met with rave reviews from top critics for its elevated and smart storytelling brought to life by the incomparable Sharon D Clarke and Andrew Gower.
‘We could not be more excited to dive in on a second season of unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat cases with this dynamic pair.’
One fan called it one of the ‘best series’ they have seen (Picture: Channel 5)Laurie Comody praised Ellis on Google reviews, writing: ‘Inspector Ellis is one of the best series of its kind to come along recently. It’s serious without being morose or depressing. It interjects humor sparingly, but perfectly timed. The actors are a natural fit for their roles, and the stories are intriguing without being too complicated.’
Stephen Redmond added: ‘This is one of the best detective shows we have watched for ages and definitely above average and better than my beloved Vera. Sharon D Clark is superb in the role of Ellis and her sidekick DS Chet Harper is brilliantly played by Andrew Gower to give some humour to the drama.’
Meanwhile, Bryan Knox praised: ‘I think it is truly wonderful that not only is DCI Ellis an extremely strong woman, but an extremely strong Black woman at that. All the other actors are brilliant in the show as well.’
In the realm of critic reviews, Radio Times hailed Ellis as ‘the British detective drama that the genre has been crying out for.’
It added: ‘The show is helmed by Sharon D Clarke [three-time Olivier winner], who effortlessly pours wit, enigma and emotion into her leading role.’
Three-time Olivier winner Sharon thanked the ‘overwhelming’ reaction to Ellis (Picture: Channel 5)The Wall Street Journal said: ‘Ellis may be seen by the inept and understaffed as a black female intruder, but her signature is really her grim attitude and, naturally, her near-flawless investigative gifts.
‘Ms. Clarke makes her daunting and likeable, no small accomplishment, but the only way the show could survive.’
Reflecting on portraying the complicated relationship between the Black British community and the police, Sharon told The Guardian this week: ‘The show is based on Merseyside’s first Black female detective, and I spent a lot of time with her, learning about her experiences.
‘And listen, when Cressida Dick said [in 2020] that there is no institutional racism in the police force … how much of a fool did she look? We have the marks and the scars and the funerals to show that it exists.’
She continued that a role like this is ‘long overdue’.
‘When I started doing television, I would only be seen as a nurse. I played so many that I got to the point where I was like: “I can’t do it any more.” So I removed myself from television and didn’t audition,’ she said.
Ellis is available to stream on 5 now.
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