Channel 4’s new Scotland-set thriller Summerwater gets it wildly wrong

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Channel 4’s new show, Summerwater, is being billed as a captivating drama that will be both exciting and emotionally resonant, blending humor, heartfelt moments, and tragic events.

They have a point, honestly. It is a bit of a tragedy, but not because of the story itself. It’s just so frustrating to see so much talent and potential go to waste on a thriller that just doesn’t quite work. It’s a real letdown!

Dougray Scott stars as David in a story about people seeking escape at Summerwater, a holiday park in Scotland. Each character is hoping to find peace from their difficult lives and troubled relationships. However, as the story suggests, they’ll soon be forced to face their hidden desires and painful realities.

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The story unfolds over 24 hours through the eyes of six different characters. Their individual experiences all converge on one central event, though ‘connect’ might be a more accurate way to describe how their stories relate.

Perhaps ‘throws them together’ is a better description, because the novel Summerwater creates connections between these different vacationers, and those connections are as uneasy and unpredictable as mixing oil and water.

Both parts of the story are strong and captivating on their own, and each one builds enough suspense to leave you eager to find out what happens next.

When the story shifts to focus on David, Scott’s initially troubled and angry character becomes more nuanced, though he remains somewhat prickly. This change reveals the complicated dynamics of his marriage to Annie (played by Shirley Henderson). Likewise, Annie is a complex character, and isn’t quite as she first appears.

Calum Ross, known for his role in Wednesday, isn’t the only standout performer in the cast. He brings a deeply moving and empathetic quality to his character, Alex Henderson, portraying him as sensitive, vulnerable, and thoughtful.

I gotta say, even though the game has its flaws, Summerwater really stood out to me with how it handled discrimination. The story focuses on Alina, an Eastern European character played by Anna Próchniak, and her family, and it doesn’t shy away from showing how tough things can be for them – it’s frustrating, but in a way that feels really honest and impactful.

While flashbacks effectively build connection with the characters and their backgrounds, the story frequently switches perspectives before we can fully experience each character’s journey, leaving plot threads feeling incomplete.

The show also hints at supernatural occurrences, as seen in the trailer. It’s similar to Yellowjackets in that it leaves viewers wondering if there’s a mystical explanation for what’s happening, and doesn’t offer clear answers.

According to Channel 4, Summerwater is a “mysterious, all-knowing place.”

The show hints strongly at a supernatural element, even suggesting it at times, but ultimately never confirms it, which is a misstep. Summerwater builds up too much mystery around this possibility and then doesn’t deliver a clear answer, leaving viewers unsatisfied and wanting more.

Despite a weak storyline, Summerwater benefits from a very talented cast who did their best to bring a promising concept to life.

Almost, but not enough.

Summerwater is airs Sunday 16 November on Channel 4 at 9pm.

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2025-11-16 16:19