Richard Armitage is back in the crime genre, and this time he's stepping away from his frequent collaborator Harlan Coben to headline a brand-new ITV series. Winter, a six-part procedural based on the French hit Balthazar, has just unveiled its first official look, and it promises a gripping partnership between Armitage's forensic pathologist and Annabel Scholey's detective.
The new images show Armitage's Dr. Ethan Winter and Scholey's DI Lauren Bell deep in conversation, clearly mid-investigation. The series is set in Bristol and follows Winter, a brilliant but unconventional pathologist whose ability to read victims makes him invaluable to murder cases. His rule-bending methods clash with Bell's meticulous approach, but together they form a formidable team.
Each of the six episodes will feature a self-contained crime story, but a larger mystery threads through the season: an unsolved murder that haunts Winter. This structure should appeal to fans of Harlan Coben's adaptations, who enjoy both standalone cases and an overarching arc.
Armitage is no stranger to dark thrillers, having starred in Coben's The Stranger and Stay Close on Netflix. His new role feels like a natural fit for viewers who've exhausted those series and are craving more British crime drama. The supporting cast includes Jamie Kenna (House of the Dragon), Carlotta Banat (Heads of State), Josh Barrow (Hostage), Adwoa Akoto (The Sandman), and several others.
While Winter is a fresh take, it shares DNA with other compact crime series that have won over audiences. For those who appreciate tight storytelling, our list of detective series that nail it in under 20 episodes is worth checking out. And if you're in the mood for a masterclass in crime drama, Mare of Easttown remains a benchmark.
Meanwhile, Coben's I Will Find You continues to dominate Netflix's charts, recently becoming one of the platform's most-watched English original scripted shows. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of twisty mysteries, and Winter seems poised to fill that void for viewers who prefer British settings and procedural formats.
No official release date for Winter has been announced yet, but the first look suggests it's well into production. With Armitage and Scholey leading the charge, this could be one of the most anticipated crime dramas of the year.
