The Long Call

The Long Call season 1 on ITV1
Watch The Long Call on ITV1
Status:
Ended
Season 1:
Ended on October 28, 2021
Watched: 0%
0 of 4 Episodes
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Why Watch
"Discover why this Ann Cleeves adaptation broke barriers for representation in the British murder mystery genre."
Tone: Analytical, appreciative, and historically grounded.
Where to Watch
JustWatch Streaming details by: JustWatch
AI Critic Analysis
Series Deep Dive:

The Long Call stands as a significant milestone in British television, marking a shift toward more inclusive storytelling within the detective genre. By bringing Ann Cleeves’ DI Matthew Venn to the screen, the production moved away from typical police tropes to explore the intersection of faith, family, and identity. Set against the haunting beauty of North Devon, the series challenged viewers to confront the lasting impact of religious exclusion. Its legacy is found in its understated pacing and the grounded portrayal of a protagonist whose personal history was as vital as the case at hand. Though the series has concluded, its impact on representation in prime-time drama continues to resonate. Set a reminder for future updates, as the world of Venn may yet see a revival or expansion.

Analysis Refined: March 2026
Season: 1
Watched? # Air Date Episode Name
E1 Oct 25, 2021 Two Rivers
E2 Oct 26, 2021 Church of the Brethren
E3 Oct 27, 2021 Woodyard
E4 Oct 28, 2021 Saint or Sinner
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Watched / Unwatched
Mark Series:
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Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type: Limited Series

The Long Call is a standalone Limited Series designed as a completed, finite historical narrative. This four-part adaptation marks a significant entry in the British crime drama genre, specifically tailored to translate the atmospheric prose of novelist Ann Cleeves into a visual medium. Produced by Silverprint Pictures for ITV, the production focused on the homecoming of Detective Inspector Matthew Venn to a small, religious community in North Devon. The creative team prioritized a self-contained structure that allowed for a deep exploration of the protagonist's personal trauma and the central murder mystery within a single, cohesive broadcast event.

The scale of the production was defined by its commitment to location filming and a character-driven script that reached a definitive resolution by the final episode. Unlike open-ended procedural dramas, the series was marketed and executed as a complete story arc, ensuring that the thematic elements of reconciliation and justice were fully addressed. This finite approach provided a high-quality, cinematic experience for the audience, concluding the specific narrative journey of the first book while remaining a distinct, standalone piece of television history.

Production Trivia: A four-part crime drama produced by Silverprint Pictures and distributed by ITV Studios, adapted from the novel by Ann Cleeves.
Oracle Insights Refined:: March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: 391 days
Trailer
Technical Details
Network: ITV1
Seasons: 1
Years: 2021 - 2021
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mini-Series, Mystery
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Frequently Asked Questions

There are no plans for a second season because The Long Call was developed as a definitive four-part standalone miniseries. While the source material belongs to a larger book series, this television adaptation was intended to be a complete limited event.

The series is not based on a true story but is an adaptation of the 2019 novel of the same name by acclaimed crime writer Ann Cleeves. It marks the first installment of her Two Rivers book series featuring the character Detective Inspector Matthew Venn.

The production was filmed on location in North Devon, England, to authentically capture the coastal atmosphere of the original novel. Key filming locations include the seaside town of Ilfracombe, the village of Hele Bay, and the estuary at Crow Point.

The complete series consists of four episodes, which were originally broadcast over four consecutive nights. Each episode runs for approximately one hour, providing a concise and focused mystery from start to finish.

Ben Aldridge stars as the protagonist, DI Matthew Venn, a detective who returns to his hometown to solve a murder while grappling with his religious past. He is supported by a talented cast including Pearl Mackie as DS Jen Rafferty and Juliet Stevenson as Dorothy Venn.

The story follows DI Matthew Venn as he investigates the discovery of a body on a beach in North Devon while attending his father's funeral. The case forces him to reconnect with the strict evangelical community he was cast out of years prior.
FAQ Refined:: March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: 250 days