Cracker

The wise-cracking Edward 'Fitz' Fitzgerald is a brilliant but flawed criminal psychologist with a remarkable insight into the criminal mind.

Cracker (1993-1995) is a British crime drama series created by Jimmy McGovern for ITV1, produced by Granada Television, running for three seasons and twenty-three hour-long episodes. Robbie Coltrane plays Edward 'Fitz' Fitzgerald, a brilliant but self-destructive criminal psychologist who drinks, smokes and gambles heavily while consulting on murder cases. Geraldine Somerville co-stars as Jane 'Panhandle' Penhaligon, and Lorcan Cranitch plays DS Jimmy Beck, the detective who must rely on Fitz's uncomfortable insight. Each episode is built around a single investigation in which Fitz probes the mind of an offender, and the drama lies as much in the damage his methods inflict on his own life and relationships as in the case itself. Set in contemporary northern England, the series moves through the gritty streets and police stations of Manchester. The tone is dark and character driven, with sharp wisecracking dialogue undercutting grim material. Fans of Mindhunter, Happy Valley and Prime Suspect will find resonance in its morally complicated investigators and its close look at violent minds.

Acclaimed for Robbie Coltrane's commanding performance and McGovern's sharp, morally complicated writing about crime and psychology.

• Mindhunterflawed criminal psychologist consulting police, dark crime drama tone, character driven investigations
• Happy ValleyBritish crime drama with morally complicated detective and gritty northern setting
• Prime Suspecttroubled investigator with self destructive habits solving serious crimes, prestige British crime tone
• Hannibalpsychological insight into killers and a volatile consultant at the center of police investigations

Created by

Jimmy McGovern

Release Date

1993-09-27

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

8.4 / 10 (121)

What is Cracker about?

A brilliant but self-destructive criminal psychologist helps Manchester police hunt killers while his own life unravels.

What is Cracker like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cracker as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Cracker violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cracker as moderate.

What did critics think of Cracker?

Acclaimed for Robbie Coltrane's commanding performance and McGovern's sharp, morally complicated writing about crime and psychology.

Which shows are like Cracker?

Shows with a similar feel include Mindhunter, Happy Valley, Prime Suspect, and Hannibal.

How long is Cracker?

Cracker: 3 seasons, 23 episodes.

Is Cracker still running?

No, Cracker has ended.

Where can I watch Cracker?

In United States, Cracker streams on Britbox Apple TV channel, BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Fawesome.