If you’ve had a Vera-shaped void in your life since the ending of the classic series, we’ve got something to cure the withdrawal symptoms. With a formidable female detective at its centre, rugged countryside backdrops and intriguing cold cases, Ellis is a beyond brilliant detective drama which, in our opinion, is the best series since. And the best news is, you can get stuck into the Channel 5 drama tonight.
Sharon D Clarke first brought DCI Ellis to life in 2024. The drama sees her travel across rural communities in northern England, where she’s enlisted to crack cases that have stumped local police forces. But it’s no easy feat – she’s often met with hostility from the communities she’s trying to help, and officers resent her talent.
Ready to crack a cold case? Here’s everything you need to know about Ellis, including the cast, plot and how to watch it tonight.
What is Ellis about?
There’s only one woman to call when a case has turned cold: DCI Ellis (Sharon D Clarke). The straight-talking and tenacious detective is parachuted into failing investigations across northern England with her right-hand man, DS Harper (Andrew Gower). Each episode centres around a different cold case. But not only does she have to untangle baffling mysteries, she’s met with hostility from both local officers and the communities she’s trying to help.
The first series, which first aired in 2024, follows the pair as they work on three different investigations, including the death of an 18-year-old and the suspicious disappearance of a police detective. The second series follows a string of equally gripping investigations, each of their unravellings sending shockwaves across small rural communities.
What makes Ellis stand out is that it shines a light on the experiences of Black women within the police force. Despite being a first-class murder detective with a determination to seek justice and a deep well of compassion, Ellis is often overlooked.
Sharon previously spoke about the importance of taking on the role. ‘I didn’t grow up seeing Black women playing roles like that on television. To have a generation see that as a normal thing is so powerful for me,’ she told The Guardian. ‘When I was in Holby City, I had five young Black women at different times come up to me saying: “I’m training to be a doctor because of Lola.” And so I’m hoping that Ellis will have the same effect.’
Who’s in the cast of Ellis?
The cast of Ellis includes:
- Sharon D Clarke (Showtrial, Lost Boys & Fairies, Rocketman) as DCI Ellis
- Andrew Gower (The Winter King, Carnival Row, Outlander) as DS Harper
- Allison Harding as Assistant Chief Constable Leighton
- Charlotte McCurry (Ballywalter) as Detective Constable Kate Trent
Is Ellis any good?
Yes – if you love a brilliant British police drama, it’s the perfect next watch. Each episode is feature-length (over an hour), meaning the characters and stories are well fleshed out. Sharon is mesmerising as Ellis, bringing a commanding and captivating energy to the role – you believe everything she says. One reviewer described it as the ‘best show since Vera’, and they’re not wrong. With a formidable female lead, intriguing cold cases and beautiful rural backdrops, it’s the perfect replacement.
Is there a trailer for Ellis?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Ellis below.
How can I watch Ellis?
You can watch Ellis now on Channel 5.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For something set further afield, we’d suggest A Remarkable Place To Die. The drama follows Detective Anais Mallory (Chelsie Preston Crayford), who returns to her hometown of Queenstown, New Zealand, to investigate an extremely personal case and a series of perplexing murders. You can watch A Remarkable Place To Die now on U and Channel 4. Fancy another detective drama with a fantastic female lead? We’d recommend Passenger, in which former city detective Riya Ajunwa (Wunmi Mosaku) finds herself stuck policing in her ex-husband’s sleepy village. But when a local girl mysteriously vanishes, Riya soon realises Chadder Vale is hiding a dark web of secrets and the disappearance is just the tip of the iceberg. Passenger is available to watch now on ITVX.