'Genine masterpiece' thriller perfect for Unforgotten fans you can stream now

More than a decade ago, the nation was captivated by a BBC crime drama. The six-part series titled River has remained enormously popular over the years, subsequently landing on Netflix and now available to stream for free on ITVX. It charts the life of Detective Inspector John River (Stellan Skarsgård), who is tormented by the murder of his friend and colleague DS Jackie "Stevie" Stevenson (Nicola Walker).

While investigating her death, River must conceal his deteriorating mental health from his superiors in order to avoid being dismissed from the force. A synopsis for River reads: "The stages of his grief mark River's growing bonds with those he has excluded from his heart and his mind, and when a murder suspect jumps to his death whilst being pursued by River, the pressure and scrutiny that surrounds him escalates fast." "As the investigation into Stevie's murder begins to reveal her deepest secrets, River has to question everything he thought he knew about his one true friend. Their relationship might have survived her death, but can it survive the truth of who she really was in life?" Since the show first broadcast, audiences have lavished praise on the crime drama, with many drawing comparisons to the likes of Unforgotten, Broadchurch and The Wire, reports the Mirror . One viewer said: "Blew me away, you know if Netflix presents it, it must be good. wrong.

It's incredible. the most original detective story I've come across thus far." Another added: "Pure Cinema, even if it is a 'TV' show. The new wave of cinema seems to be TV, and Netflix is the new HBO, for better and worse. River, is everything True Detective should have been but didn't have the strength to achieve. River is the Netflix equivalent of The Wire." Someone else wrote: "The impact of this show is astonishing.

Boy, did this show take me by surprise. All I can say is don't miss it. It's so much more than a detective series, and Stellan Skarsgård gives a performance that will take your breath away. Nicola Walker is, of course, magnificent as well." While one person commented: "What a gem!

So glad I found this. Genuine masterpiece. Acting is believable and tender. The plot is complicated but not unbelievable." Despite there being only one series of the show, Nicola Walker once revealed to Good Housekeeping that Stellan Skarsgård would be eager to reprise his role as DI River.

However, the sole condition for him returning to film further episodes of River was that award-winning writer Abi Morgan would need to be at the helm once more. Nicola, on the other hand, appears content with the six-episode conclusion, commenting: "I kind of like that it was a really good story well told, a one-off six episodes. Not everything has to be returned to. It's one of my favourite things that I've ever been involved in." All episodes of River are available to watch on ITVX