“Utterly gripping TV”: Winter Ridge is Hannah Waddingham’s “beyond brilliant” crime drama to watch tonight
When Hannah Waddingham stepped into the shoes of Rebecca Welton in ITV’s Ted Lasso, the world fell head over heels for her. And while, yes, it was a role that should have earned her global fame, there’s another series that came before it that deserves just as much attention. Winter Ridge is the star’s beyond brilliant crime drama that premiered in 2018 and is now available to stream – and it’s utterly gripping TV.
The drama stars Hannah as mental health specialist, Dr Joanne Hill, who finds herself embroiled in a deeply disturbing murder investigation. Why is her expertise needed? Because a serial killer is on the lose – and they’re targeting victims who each have degenerative conditions. Creepy? Yes. Gripping? Absolutely!
With the film now available to watch on Prime Video, here’s everything you need to know about Winter Ridge, including the plot, cast, trailer and how to watch it.
What is Winter Ridge about?
Amazon Prime
The film, which was first released in 2018, introduces us to promising young detective, Ryan Barnes (Matt Hookings). His world comes crashing down, however, when he arrives home on his anniversary to discover that his wife has been involved in a tragic car accident.
Fortunately, she survives, but six months on and with his wife still in a coma, Ryan isn’t coping. So what does he do? Throw himself into his work – specifically, a murder investigation that soon develops into a hunt for a serial killer. Working alongside DCI John Faulkner (Michael McKell), their investigation leads to the realisation that the serial killer specifically targets vulnerable victims who suffer from degenerative disease (many of them have dementia) – strange, to say the least.
Amazon Prime
And that’s where Hannah Waddingham comes in. Hannah plays mental health specialist Dr Joanne Hill, whose expertise is needed given the nature of case. The question is, can she help the police find the serial killer before he gets to more victims? And how will Ryan cope with a case that has strange parallels with his own personal trauma?
In an interview with Devon & Cornwall Film, director Dom Lenoir explained how, despite the dark nature of the film, his hope was to raise awareness of dementia. “The elements that deal with degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s really struck a chord with my own family’s experiences. I’m hoping this film will raise an interesting debate on the condition, and bring the audience to a new understanding of loneliness,” he said.
Who’s in the cast of Winter Ridge?
Amazon Prime
The cast of Winter Ridge includes:
- Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) as Joanne Hill
- Matt Hookings (The Awakening) as Ryan Barnes
- Michael McKell (Doctors) as John Faulkner
- Olwen Catherine Kelly (Ascension) as Jessica
- Ian Pirie (Pressure) as Mike Evans
- Noeleen Comiskey (The Beyond) as Jane Evans
- Alan Ford (Toast of London) as Dale Jacobs
- Justin McDonald (Vampire Diary) as Tom Harris
- Ella Road (The Wyrd) as Amanda Jacobs
Is there a trailer for Winter Ridge?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Winter Ridge below.
Is Winter Ridge any good?
Yes – if you’re a fan of crime dramas, there’s a lot to like about Winter Ridge. It’s not a big budget film, so don’t expect too many frills, but it deserves praise for breaking the mould of typical detective series with its believable premise and focus on dementia, which many viewers will be able to relate to. Following its release, the film went on to win four awards at the London Independent Film Festival and we think it deserved every one of them.
How can I watch Winter Ridge?
Good news – Winter Ridge is available to watch now on Prime Video
What other Hannah Waddingham dramas can I watch now?
Netflix
If you haven’t yet seen The Woman in Cabin 10, it’s a good place to start. An adaptation of Ruth Ware’s bestselling novel, Hannah stars as a guest on board a luxury cruise ship where a mysterious death – or should we say murder – takes place. You can watch The Woman in Cabin 10 on Netflix. For a series that’s a little gentle, we’d recommend Ted Lasso. Hannha plays the owner of AFC Richmond, who hires the titular Ted (Jason Sudeikis) to manage the team as a deliberate act of sabotage. The first three series of Ted Lasso are available to watch now on Apple TV.
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