Messiah

Crime drama series following the investigations of DCI Red Metcalfe.

Messiah (2001-2008) is a British crime drama series created for BBC One, produced by BBC Northern Ireland. Ken Stott plays DCI Red Metcalfe, a detective leading murder investigations in England, with Neil Dudgeon as DI Duncan Warren and Maxine Peake as DS Vickie Clarke among his principal team. Michelle Forbes plays Susan Metcalfe, whose connection to the investigations adds emotional weight to the work. Each story unfolds across feature-length ninety minute episodes, tracking the procedural detail of tracking down a killer through interviews, forensic leads, and tense confrontations. The series runs five seasons with eleven episodes in total, and each season builds its own investigation rather than a single continuing arc. The tone is grim, measured, and atmospheric, with a focus on the pressure placed on the detectives. Fans of Cracker, Prime Suspect, and Broadchurch will find resonance in its British police procedural approach to dark crime.

• Crackershared police procedural investigation structure and British crime tone
• Prime Suspectshared British detective drama with serial killer investigations and dark tone
• Broadchurchshared serialized murder investigation format on British television

Release Date

2001-05-26

Episode runtime

90 min

Rating

7.9 / 10 (26)

What is Messiah about?

A British police detective leads investigations into murders across feature-length episodes.

What is Messiah like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Messiah as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Messiah violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Messiah as moderate.

Which shows are like Messiah?

Shows with a similar feel include Cracker, Prime Suspect, and Broadchurch.

How long is Messiah?

Messiah: 5 seasons, 11 episodes.

Is Messiah still running?

No, Messiah has ended.