After The Flood review: A twisty ITV drama that defies logic

After the Flood centres on a chilling mystery that will defy belief, or more rather logic, as it challenges viewers to question everything and everyone they see onscreen.

The ITV crime drama follows Sophie Rundle's pregnant police officer Joanna Marshall, who is swept up in a dark and twisty conspiracy after flooding hits her town and a body is found in a lift after it has dissipated — only the person in the lift didn't drown in the flood, they died two days earlier.

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What follows is a gripping if sometimes unbelievable narrative in which Joanna tries her best to find out what happened, why it did, and more importantly who the John Doe is. And she is willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to seek out the truth.

There are some shows that require its audience to suspend their disbelief in order to enjoy it, and After the Flood is one of them. Mick Ford's six-part drama is full of so many twists and turns that it feels like a rollercoaster ride, as each episode ends on a shocking note that leaves more questions for viewers to ponder than it does answers.

The most questionable part of the story, though, is Joanna's actions. From the get-go we learn that she is unafraid to dive head first into danger to protect others, as she is introduced to viewers by helping save a baby that was swept by the flood whom a man aids her in bringing back safely to their mother. Her bravery in spite of obvious threat is pushed to the limits the more she investigates the John Doe case, particularly as she —an officer training to become a detective— goes so far as to break the law in order to get answers.

Joanna's recklessness is explained as being a reaction to the inaction of the male-dominated police force she works in, a notion that is often examined in crime dramas where women are front and centre — fighting misogyny and the system as best they can from the inside out. Unlike The Killing or Silence of the Lambs, though, After the Flood tends to veer off course, focusing on defying logic with the case rather than Joanna's experiences in the force.

That said, Rundle does a great job of bringing Joanna to life onscreen through her moving portrayal of an officer on the edge. She is pushed not only by the job but by her family, and her only source of refuge is her mother Molly (Lorraine Ashbourne) who is always ready to listen to her daughter's harebrained investigation even as she tries to take down the political leaders that let down the people.

Rundle receives good support from her fellow cast members, the biggest name of which is Philip Glenister who plays real estate developer Jack Radcliffe, who has some dark secrets. But it is mainly thanks to Rundle's performance that After the Flood will keep viewers engaged in the story, as its goes down some unexpected avenues the further it develops.

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For some viewers the show's ridiculous nature will be enjoyable, for others it will prove a challenge. After the Flood may be hoping to make a splash but really the success of it will depend entirely on how much people at home can forgive an illogical story.

• 📺 Where to watch After the Flood: ITV1 at 9pm from Wednesday, 10 January.
  

• ⭐️ Our rating: 3/5
  

• 🍿 Watch it if you liked: Mare of Eastown, Fargo, The Long Shadow.
  

• 🎭 Who's in it?: Sophie Rundle, Philip Glenister, Lorraine Ashbourne, Matt Stokoe, Anita Adam Gabay, Arthur McBain.
  

• ⏰ How long is it? Six one-hour episodes.
  

• 📖 What’s it about? After a disastrous flood, police officer Joanna Marshall is called in when a body is found in a lift but when she realises the deceased died days earlier she decides to investigate what happened to him and why.