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."
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.
Tone: Analytical, appreciative, and historically grounded. Refined: March 2026
Season: 1
# Air Date Episode Name Watched?
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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Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type: Limited Series

The Long Call is a standalone Limited Series that concluded its 4-episode run in October 2021. This production was conceived as a focused adaptation of the first novel in the Matthew Venn book series by Ann Cleeves. Produced by Silverprint Pictures for ITV, the series was designed to explore a specific, high-stakes investigation set against the atmospheric backdrop of North Devon. By centering the narrative on the personal and professional homecoming of the lead detective, the creative team ensured that the central mystery and the emotional arc regarding his religious upbringing reached a natural resolution within the four-night broadcast event.

The decision to structure the show as a finite series allowed the writers to maintain a tight pace and a high level of production quality without the need for open-ended plot threads. While the source material belongs to a literary series, the television adaptation was marketed and delivered as a self-contained story that provides a complete viewing experience. This approach aligned with the trend of modern British police procedurals that prioritize a singular, impactful case over multi-season continuity.

Directed by Lee Haven Jones and written by Kelly Jones, the series was produced by Silverprint Pictures for ITV. It stars Ben Aldridge as DI Matthew Venn, alongside Pearl Mackie and Juliet Stevenson.
Confidence: 5% Last Refined: March 2026
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Technical Details
Network: ITV1
Seasons: 1
Years: 2021 - 2021
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mini-Series, Mystery

Notes:

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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.
FAQs Updated: March 2026
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