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Entertainment • Television

Marcella

Marcella is a British crime drama television series created by Hans Rosenfeldt and co-created by Nicola Larder.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Marcella is a British crime drama television series created by Hans Rosenfeldt and co-created by Nicola Larder. It aired on ITV in the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2021 and was also distributed internationally by Netflix. The series stars Anna Friel as Marcella Backland, a London detective whose personal life and memory loss complicate her investigations.

Premise

The series centres on Marcella Backland, a Metropolitan Police detective who returns to work after leaving the force for family reasons. Her investigations are complicated by blackouts, emotional instability, and family disruption.

Production

Marcella was created by Hans Rosenfeldt, known for The Bridge, with Nicola Larder as co-creator. The series was produced for ITV and later distributed internationally by Netflix.

Broadcast and release

The first season aired in 2016, followed by later seasons in 2018 and 2021. The show ran for three seasons in total and was presented as a British crime drama.

Cast and characters

Anna Friel stars as Marcella Backland, with Ray Panthaki and Nicholas Pinnock among the principal cast. The story focuses on police work as well as Marcella's private life and mental state.

Key facts

  • Marcella is a British crime drama television series created by Hans Rosenfeldt and co-created by Nicola Larder.
  • The series stars Anna Friel as Marcella Backland, a London detective dealing with memory loss and personal turmoil.
  • It aired on ITV from 2016 to 2021 and was distributed internationally by Netflix.
  • The show ran for three seasons and is associated with the Nordic noir style.
  • The series was available to Canadian audiences through Netflix.
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Canadian context

The series was available to Canadian audiences through Netflix, making it part of the streaming catalogue seen by many Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Marcella?
Marcella is a British crime drama television series about a London detective who returns to work while dealing with memory lapses and personal turmoil.
Who created Marcella?
Marcella was created by Hans Rosenfeldt and co-created by Nicola Larder.
Who stars in Marcella?
Anna Friel stars as Marcella Backland, with Ray Panthaki and Nicholas Pinnock also among the main cast.
When did Marcella first air?
Marcella first aired on ITV on 4 April 2016.
How many seasons does Marcella have?
Marcella has three seasons.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcella_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series premise, broadcast dates, network, cast, and overall production details.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80094728
    Supports: International streaming availability, season count, genre, and creators.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5269594/
    Supports: Release window, genre, main cast, and series format.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marcella
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, network, release date, and lead cast.