Better Than ‘Killing Eve’? Jodie Comer’s Haunting Crime Drama Is a Hidden Gem Worth Watching

Before Jodie Comer became a household name for her award-winning performance as Villanelle in Killing Eve, she appeared in a chilling BBC mystery that showcased a very different side of her talent. Combining elements of a crime investigation, a ghost story and a family drama, this three-part series delivers an unsettling mystery built around an elderly man, a suspicious death and a past that refuses to stay buried.

First broadcast in 2014, the drama stars Comer alongside Michael Palin and Mark Addy. Its compact episode count makes it an easy choice for a short binge, while its eerie atmosphere and gradually unfolding secrets offer plenty to keep viewers intrigued.

What Is the Story About?

The three-part drama introduces Tom Parfitt (Michael Palin), a frail elderly man from Yorkshire who appears to have no one left in his life. After deliberately staging a fall at his home, he is admitted to a residential care facility, seemingly looking for a way out of his lonely existence.

But his arrival is followed by a shocking incident. The social worker who accompanies him to the home falls to her death from the fourth-floor window of his room. Tom is the only witness, leaving everyone to wonder whether the tragedy was an accident or whether he knows more than he is willing to reveal.

Teenage care assistant Hannah Ward (Jodie Comer) becomes increasingly interested in the mystery. Alongside police detective Rob Fairholme (Mark Addy), she tries to piece together Tom’s history and understand what really happened.

Their investigation soon takes a disturbing turn. Strange events begin affecting people connected to Tom, including Hannah and her own family. Then Tom mysteriously disappears from his hospital bed, leaving Hannah with even more questions.

The search draws the characters into a dangerous world shaped by lost love, betrayal and secrets from the past, with the story eventually leading towards Scarborough.

Jodie Comer’s Compassionate and Determined Character

Hannah is far removed from the bold, unpredictable characters that would later define some of Comer’s best-known performances. She works in a care home, but her ambitions lie elsewhere: she hopes to attend university and build a life beyond her current responsibilities.

Circumstances at home, however, make it difficult for her to pursue those plans. Her mother and brother depend on her, and she has become the person who holds the family together. Despite her own struggles, Hannah continues to put other people’s needs first.

Speaking to the BBC about the role, Comer described Hannah as compassionate, caring and remarkably strong. She was particularly drawn to the character’s ability to support those around her even when her own life was far from easy.

That sense of responsibility extends beyond her family as the story progresses. Hannah becomes someone other characters trust with their fears and secrets, while her growing connection with Tom forms an important part of the drama.

Comer’s performance gives the character warmth and emotional depth, providing a human centre to a story filled with increasingly unsettling developments.

Jodie Comer Also Sings the Haunting Theme Song

One unusual feature of the production is Comer’s contribution to its music. The actress performs an eerie version of the traditional folk song Scarborough Fair, which is used in the opening titles and helps establish the series’ unsettling atmosphere.

Singing was not initially a major part of her audition. Comer explained to the BBC that the subject only came up later, when the production team asked whether she could sing. Although she joked that she was no Whitney Houston, she had some previous experience from her days in local theatre before focusing more heavily on dance.

She also noted that the arrangement was quite different from the familiar Simon & Garfunkel version. Its more traditional sound suited the mood of the episodes and added another layer to the story’s mysterious atmosphere.

Who Is in the Cast?

The series brings together a strong ensemble of British television performers, led by Michael Palin, Jodie Comer and Mark Addy.

The main cast includes:

• Michael Palin as Tom Parfitt
• Jodie Comer as Hannah Ward
• Mayuri Boonham as Isha
• Richard Lumsden as Jeff Harding
• Kate Dobson as Lucy Fairholme
• Eileen Davies as Nancy
• Julia Sawalha as Jan Ward
• Mina Anwar as Roshana Salim
• Jamie Rooney-West as Sean Ward
• Mark Addy as Rob Fairholme
• Tony Pitts as DCI Grogan

Behind the scenes, the series was written by Gwyneth Hughes and directed by Ashley Pearce. The production was filmed in Yorkshire, including Scarborough and Huddersfield, bringing an authentic northern English setting to its ghostly mystery.

Where Can You Watch It?

All three episodes are currently available on ITVX, making it possible to watch the complete story in one sitting.

Each instalment runs for approximately an hour, so the series is a manageable option for anyone looking for a short but atmospheric crime drama. Viewers should be aware that it contains violence and distressing scenes.

Is It Worth Watching?

For viewers who enjoy British mysteries with a supernatural edge, this is a worthwhile addition to the watchlist.

Michael Palin brings an intriguing sense of mischief and mystery to Tom, while Jodie Comer delivers a compelling early performance as Hannah. Their contrasting characters help drive a story that gradually moves beyond a seemingly straightforward death investigation into something much stranger.

It is not a conventional police procedural, nor is it simply a ghost story. The combination of crime, family relationships, buried secrets and supernatural elements gives the three episodes a distinctive atmosphere. The mystery may become genuinely unnerving as it unfolds, making this a better choice for viewers who enjoy suspense than those looking for a lighthearted watch.

What Else Can You Watch Starring Jodie Comer?

If you want to explore more of Comer’s television work, two other dramas are worth considering.

In Help, she stars as a care home assistant who goes to extraordinary lengths to protect her patients when the COVID-19 pandemic hits. Her character forms a particularly moving connection with Tony, played by Stephen Graham. The emotional drama is available on Channel 4.

For fans of historical stories, The White Princess offers a very different experience. Comer plays Elizabeth of York, whose marriage to Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy) helps unite the rival houses of Lancaster and York and brings the Wars of the Roses to an end. The series is available on Prime Video.

From historical drama to emotionally intense contemporary stories and unsettling mysteries, these roles demonstrate the range that has made Comer one of Britain’s most compelling screen performers.