The first season of BritBox’s after the flood attempted to mix a climate change disaster narrative with a murder mystery centered around corrupt police. The result was a bit of a mixed bag. Now, with the second season, we pick up a year after the first season’s events.
after the flood Season 2: Stream or Skip?
Opening shot: A chaotic scene inside a factory where people are bustling through a door labeled “AEXOUS LABRATORY SERVICES.”
Key points: One year has passed since the devastating floods in Yorkshire, where police officer Joanna Marshall (Sophie Rundle) has been promoted to constable after uncovering a murder linked to the disaster. Her daughter is nearly a year old. On the personal front, Joanna has recently divorced her husband Pat Holman (Matt Stokoe) following revelations of his corruption as a cop. Both Joanna and Pat are left furious about Sergeant Phil Mackie (Nicholas Greaves), another corrupt officer who seems immune to consequences, possibly due to his knowledge of their own misconduct.
During a drive back from a polar plunge with friends to honor her deceased husband, Joanna’s mother, Molly (Lorraine Ashbourne), stumbles upon an abandoned van with a shattered windshield and signs of blood. She revisits the site just before her granddaughter’s birthday party and reaches out to her former partner, Deepa Das (Tripti Tripraneni).
At the party, Joanna and Pat are incensed when Mackie appears. His leverage over them stems from his awareness of their ethical lapses, making him a formidable presence.
Meanwhile, a controlled fire ignites on the moorland owned by the Benson family, prompting Pat’s teenage niece, Sophie Kamali (Maui Connock), to lash out. She firmly believes that these fires are a direct cause of the town’s flooding crisis, raising fears about future disasters.
Then, the next morning, a body is found in the wilderness. Joanna and her superior, DCI Ravi Bulsara (Anil Desai), arrive to investigate. It’s here that Joanna interacts with DS Sam Bradley (Jill Halfpenny), who joins the team from Newcastle. Among the victim’s belongings, she discovers a medical bracelet and a set of keys linked to a nearby farm.
However, this mystery deepens since the victim seems to have been shot after his death. The farm where he worked has become a dumping ground for debris, and a man named Zab Palmer (Matthew McNulty) has been injured and appears to be fleeing the farm’s owner when Joanna arrives. Yet, he has managed to escape custody multiple times.
Which show do you remember? Mick Ford continues to weave the themes of British murder mysteries with climate change, reminiscent of series like 5 Days at Memorial.
Our view: The second season still grapples with the same issues as the first. There are too many narratives pulling in different directions. The Yorkshire town is not only reeling from natural disasters but also experiencing a troubling increase in murders—some possibly related, though it’s hard to tell what matters more. It seems like corruption is rampant among the police, even more than you’d expect in a big city.
Joanna’s private life is chaotic as well. While this messiness is common in British detective shows, the intertwining troubles of her and Molly seem to hinder meaningful exploration into climate change or the murders themselves.
It feels like Ford may be piling on even more storylines this season, especially with Joanna and Pat’s quest to take down Mackie while juggling everything else. And let’s not forget—more wildfires and floods appear likely due to the lack of vegetation able to withstand heavy rains. A bit overwhelming, right?
Featured performance: Sophie Rundle continues to impress as Joanna, proving to be the most compelling character amid many clichéd portrayals.
Sex and skin: None.
Parting shot: Joanna’s search for Sophie culminates in the rescue of another teen amidst a raging fire. She then joins paramedics at yet another location where a body has been discovered—this one shot in the chest, much like the first.
Sleeper Star: I’m curious about the role of Jill Halfpenny as the newcomer, DS Sam Bradley. Will she end up as Joanna’s ally, or is she just another crooked cop?
The most pilot-like line: Even while trapped and bleeding, Palmer made a point to ask Joanna if he might have seen him on a dating app.
Our call: We suggest skipping after the flood. Despite the talented cast and crew, the show often feels chaotic and confusing, marred by a lack of focus on a single narrative. It’s tough to connect with.
