ITV’s hit drama After the Flood is set to draw to a close on Monday, February 2, wrapping up a second series that has firmly gripped audiences. Since returning last month, the show has occupied the coveted prime-time slots on Sunday and Monday evenings, earning praise for its thoughtful exploration of climate change through the lens of a police procedural. Centred on the fictional town of Waterside, the series followed newly promoted detective Jo Marshall—portrayed by Peaky Blinders and Gentleman Jack star Sophie Rundle—as she navigated a puzzling fresh murder case amidst environmental chaos.
The second run saw the arrival of several new faces, including Jill Halfpenny, Alun Armstrong, Matthew McNulty, and Ian Puleston-Davies, who joined established favourites such as Lorraine Ashbourne and Philip Glenister. With the finale approaching, viewers who have followed Marshall’s investigations since the show’s successful debut in January 2024 will soon be looking for their next fix of evening entertainment. ITV bosses, however, have wasted no time in revealing an “epic” replacement for the Sunday night slot, promising a shift from environmental mystery to high-stakes espionage.
A Tense New Arrival
Taking the baton is a gripping narrative centred on John, a man whose world begins to unravel following an encounter that takes an unexpected turn. The upcoming drama plunges viewers into a world of paranoia and internal politics, as John finds himself the subject of a rigorous internal investigation. He faces intense scrutiny from his superiors, including the formidable Simone Grant, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird. Adding to the tension is his home life, where his partner Claire—portrayed by Romola Garai—struggles to cope with the suffocating secrecy that defines his profession.
Complicating matters further are John’s desperate attempts to salvage his marriage while being unable to let the case lie. He eventually finds an unlikely ally in Mehreen Askari-Evans (Zahra Ahmadi), an intelligence operative drafted in to assume his duties. As the narrative unfolds, John becomes increasingly convinced that a hardline faction of the Iranian regime is involved. However, as he races to identify the target and avert an imminent attack, a terrifying realisation dawns: the enemies he fears might be closer to home than he ever imagined.
Return to the Sands
While British viewers brace for gritty thriller territory, news from Hollywood suggests a return to sunnier, more nostalgic climes. Baywatch, once the most-watched series on the planet, is being revived. At the height of its nineties popularity, the show drew a staggering 1.1 billion weekly viewers across 140 countries, with David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson becoming synonymous with the slow-motion runs across Malibu Beach. Following a critically panned cinematic reboot starring Dwayne Johnson, producers are now opting for a hybrid approach for the small screen, blending a fresh cast with returning legends.
Leading the revival is Arrow star Stephen Amell, who has been confirmed to play Mitch Buchannon’s son, Hobie—a role previously occupied by Brandon Call and Jeremy Jackson. In a move certain to delight long-time fans, the production has also secured the return of a franchise veteran. David Chokachi, now 58, will reprise his role as Cody Madison. According to industry reports, Cody has traded full-time lifeguarding for the hospitality trade, now running a beach bar called The Shoreline. While he still occasionally dives into the surf to save a life, his primary role is that of a mentor and friend to the new generation of lifeguards, offering them a second home, a listening ear, and—after a particularly gruelling rescue—free chicken wings.
