# The Red King (TV series)

The Red King is a 2024 British crime drama television series, which was screened across six episodes from 24 April on Alibi. It was created and written by Toby Whithouse with Daniel O'Hara and Lisa Clarke directing. The Red King stars Anjli Mohindra as Grace, a detective sergeant posted to the fictitious island of St Jory, off the Welsh coast. St Jory is home to the True Way, a pagan cult which was established about 100 years ago by the Nancarrow family. Locals claim it no longer exists but celebrate festivals for the tourist trade. Grace and police constable Owen (James Bamford) investigate the murder of a boy, Cai, despite lack of cooperation from most residents. Main characters are former sergeant Gruffudd (Mark Lewis Jones), pub owner Lowri (Lu Corfield), her daughter Winter (Maeve Courtier-Lilley), doctor and Cai's father Ian (Marc Warren) and Nancarrow descendant Heather (Adjoa Andoh).

## Synopsis

After informing on fellow police officers, Grace is posted as a sergeant to the small Welsh island of St Jory. She stays at the village's only pub, run by Lowri. The local doctor, Ian, asks Grace to solve the case of his missing son, Cai, who had disappeared a year earlier. Retired sergeant Gruffudd had concluded Cai had left the island and hence undertook a cursory search. Most locals react negatively when Grace re-opens the investigation with local constable Owen's initially hesitant assistance. She learns that St Jory is home to the True Way, a pagan, folk-based cult, which was established about 100 years earlier. Residents claim the cult has died out. Grace finds Cai's corpse in a derelict shelter, but homicide investigators from mainland Wales rule it an accidental death before returning. Cai's former babysitter Lucy had an affair with Ian. Lowri's daughter Winter supports Grace's investigation.
St Jory becomes isolated by an annual, severe weather storm. Grace obtains an aerial photo of the shelter area, on the date when Cai died, which shows True Way symbolism and Mihangel's car parked nearby. Grace and Owen confront Mihangel, but he suicides. Mihangel's corpse is later desecrated with pagan symbols and reference to a Biblical passage, which local priest Douglas provides. Owen believes the quote is directed at Grace. Grace begins to suspect Gruffudd, who spurns her questioning. Gruffudd is killed by Douglas after he finds Cai's backpack in the vicarage. Grace and Owen arrest Douglas but True Way's leader, Heather subverts police authority and kidnaps Douglas. Heather and her followers organise adult residents to attend the village hall to conduct a show trial of Douglas. Heather presents the case against Douglas for Cai and Gruffudd's deaths. Grace initially argues against the sham trial, but realises she must defend Douglas from True Way's planned execution. Heather reveals that Douglas is also an alleged paedophile who had been transferred to St Jory after sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl. Heather asks residents to vote for Douglas to be dealt with by True Way or returned to police custody and have a legal trial.
Heather lies that the vote is tied and so asks Grace to supply the deciding vote: Grace votes for True Way to take Douglas. Lucy's boyfriend, Silas explains to Grace that True Way are also planning a sacrifice after their victim's ruination. Winter and Lucy urge Grace to save Douglas' life due to Heather's lies. Grace realises that she herself is the sacrifice, due to her sense of justice having been ruined during the show trial. Grace and Owen retrieve Douglas and hide him. With Ian's help, they escape True Way's search party. Grace presents herself to True Way's adherents, while Owen organises other residents to appear at the island's 200m deep hole. Their presence as witnesses prevents Grace's sacrifice. Heather had intended to have Grace and Douglas thrown down the hole to their deaths. She had convinced her adherents that this would appease their gods and rejuvenate Heather's body. Ian rushes into the circle, grabs Heather, and both fall down the hole.

## Cast and characters

* Anjli Mohindra as Grace Narayan: Detective Sergeant replaces Gruffudd at St Jory's police station. She had reported her former boyfriend DC Cooper and another officer for grievously assaulting an alleged rapist.
* James Bamford as Owen Parry: police constable, Elan's husband, Owen junior's father
* Lu Corfield as Lowri Bain: pub owner, Grace's landlady, Winter's mother. True Way adherent
* Maeve Courtier-Lilley as Winter Bain: Lowri's daughter, Cai's friend, begins idolising Grace
* Mark Lewis Jones as Gruffudd Prosser: retired Detective Sergeant, deliberately misled search for Cai. Father of Bethan, who left for mainland two years earlier
* Tuyen Do as Minh Prosser: Gruffudd's second wife, married about two years earlier
* Sam Swainsbury as Father Douglas Carrisford: St Jory's Church priest, arrived five years earlier
* Adjoa Andoh as Lady Heather Nancarrow: St Jory's main business and landowner. True Way's secret leader but claims it no longer exists
* Marc Warren as Dr Ian Prideaux: local general practitioner, town drunk, Cai's father. Had an affair with Lucy before Cai disappeared a year earlier.
* Oliver Ryan as Mihangel Pugh: farmer, True Way adherent
* Rosie Sheehy as Elan Parry: Owen's wife, Owen junior's mother. True Way adherent
* Dylan Jones as Alun Crowther: Eric's twin brother, mortician's assistant, boorish bully. True Way adherent
* Lloyd Meredith as Eric Crowther: Alun's twin brother, mortician's assistant, boorish bully. True Way adherent
* Lauren Morais as Lucy Popkin: Cai's former babysitter, had an affair with Ian, Silas' girlfriend, True Way adherent, Bethan's friend
* Aled ap Steffan as Silas Bennion: Lucy's boyfriend, conspiracy theorist, fears True Way
* Jim Kitson as Leslie Crowther: local mortician, Gruffudd's friend, father of Alun and Eric. True Way adherent
* Wayne Cater as Dylan Onion: fisherman, reports attempt to steal his boat
* Connor Calland as Matt Benfield: uniform policeman warns Grace before suiciding. Former True Way adherent.
* Jill Halfpenny as Ann Fletcher: DCI homicide investigator, determines Cai died accidentally

## Production

The Red King is written by Toby Whithouse and directed by Daniel O'Hara and Lisa Clarke. The executive producers are Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, Philippa Collie Cousins for UKTV and writer Whithouse and director Daniel O’Hara. The series is produced by Guy Hescott.
The cast includes Anjli Mohindra, Adjoa Andoh, Marc Warren and Jill Halfpenny, as well as Mark Lewis Jones, Oliver Ryan, Sam Swainsbury, Lu Corfield, James Bamford and Maeve Courtier-Lilley.
The story is set on the fictitious St Jory island off the Welsh coast, but was filmed in Northumberland, and had begun by 19 June 2023. Filming locations included Embleton, Craster, Alnmouth, and Cambois. The Morris dancers featured in the series were from Black Gate Morris.

## Broadcast

The series premiered in the United Kingdom on Alibi on 24 April 2024.

## Reviews

The Guardian gave it four out of five stars, comparing it favourably with The Wicker Man. They said "The Red King applies entertaining topspin to the road-tested premise, adding yet more rug-pulls and buckets of sarcasm and self-reflexiveness." Carol Midgley in The Times praised the "dry, dark wit" of Whithouse’s script, and said the cast is "high pedigree". Keith Watson in The Daily Telegraph awarded the series four stars out of five and praised the performance of Mohindra who "hits just the right note".

## Episode guide

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Daniel O'Hara | Toby Whithouse | 24 April 2024 (2024-04-24) |
| Grace shunned by colleagues for reporting fellow officers; she's diverted into side office. Grace sees Matt on balcony; he rambles before jumping off. Month later: Grace enters pub room; declines breakfast from Lowri. During tourist season's last day, Grace sees folk wearing costumes and masks. At police station she introduces herself to Owen. They only work office hours. Owen: Crowther twins are minor disturbers and Heather is most prominent citizen. Tourists leave via ferry for Tenby. Grace meets Ian, who describes Cai's disappearance. Gruffudd decided Cai left on last year's ferry. Ian caught in Mihangel's garage. Owen: island was thoroughly searched. Grace reads Cai's file, peruses ferry CCTV. In pub, Grace asks Gruffudd whether Tenby's CCTV was checked. Lowri advises Grace continue discussion at station. Grace meets Winter. Ian remembers search halted due to annual storms, which often lasts days and isolates islanders. In church, Grace learns about True Way cult established by Nancarrow family. Douglas recalls Cai's biblical quote. Grace halts Crowthers' party; expels underage drinkers. She disables noncompliant Crowthers; Owen cuffs them; later Crowthers are released. Gruffudd rails at Owen, then vilifies Grace. Grace imprisons Gruffudd overnight. Heather says True Way no longer exists. Grace finds Cai's corpse. |||||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Daniel O'Hara | Toby Whithouse | 1 May 2024 (2024-05-01) |
| Flashback: Grace consults a police therapist, who insults her. Present: Grace meets homicide investigators, led by Ann. According to Ann, Cai accidentally locked himself in derelict shelter. Cai's backpack not found. Grace notices large painted stones near shelter. Ann rushes investigation. She assigns Grace to recheck witness statements. Grace to Ian: cannot confirm whether it's Cai. Ann to Ian: might be Cai but not identified yet. Grace chases Mihangel into forest. On her way back, she finds island's deep hole. Police transfer corpse. Ann to Gruffudd: Grace's background. Owen to Grace: Gruffudd spoke to Cai about pestering Lucy. Gruffudd confronts Grace for reporting officers. Winter advises Grace to overlook locals' quirky behaviours. Grace finds beheaded chicken on bed; sleeps in cell. Lowri apologises for dead chicken. Ann's unrepentant for revealing Grace's background. Grace to Ian: Cai identified. Lucy to Grace: Cai had crush. Grace asks Gruffudd whether he falsified Cai's search; he refuses to answer. Pathologist confirms Cai's death was accidental. Grace obtains aerial photos of shelter area. Homicide team leave as storm arrives. Winter brings in Crowthers, who confess to placing dead chicken. Aerial photo: True Way symbol and car near shelter. Grace phones Ann who pretends not to hear. |||||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Daniel O'Hara | Toby Whithouse | 8 May 2024 (2024-05-08) |
| Flashback: young Grace consoled by policewoman; Grace's mother has bipolar episode. Present: Douglas encourages Grace to mingle. Grace shows Owen aerial photo of True Way symbol and car. Winter displays annual village hall photos. People missing from last year: Gruffudd, Elan and Lowri. Grace: 2018 photo's missing. Silas to police: True Way still exists; his file's are at home. Silas knocked out. Lucy: Gruffudd maybe attacker; he's pestered her since Bethan left. Bell rings, community sings "Knock on Wood". Gruffudd lies: Minh does not understand English. Gruffudd denies hitting Silas; claims stayed home last year. Douglas plays Cai's birthday video. Grace collect Silas' folder during storm, files stolen by masked person. Gruffudd needles Owen: where did Grace go. Heather faints. Winter wakes Grace. Ian tends Grace's wound. Ian claims affair was consensual: Lucy was 17. Grace arrests Ian for assaulting Silas. Fellow locals support Ian but Lucy reveals affair. Heather claims she's terminally ill. Elan argues with Owen over list of locals not in last photo. Ian and Cai argued over Lucy before Cai left. Grace displays aerial photo. Storm passes; residents take annual photo. Grace reveals True Way related to Cai's death. Lucy, Elan and Mihangel undertake True Way ritual. |||||
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Daniel O'Hara | Toby Whithouse | 15 May 2024 (2024-05-15) |
| Flashback: Grace visits her mother prior to St Jory posting. Present: Silas withdraws complaint against Ian. Mihangel flails himself as Elan and Lucy arrive. Heather and Douglas confront Grace over her True Way revelations. She rebukes them: cult were involved. Ian identifies Mihangel's car. Grace and Owen visit Mihangel, who collects his shotgun. He points it at police, but he blows his head off. Ian arrives to verify Mihangel's death. Owen informs Elan, who tells fellow residents. People cheer as Grace and Owen return to station. Grace: do not know Mihangel's associates. Minh to Grace: Gruffudd absent during last year's storm. Grace sees Bethal's laptop. Heather and Winter chat about islanders. Ian celebrates Mihangel's death. Gruffudd confronts Grace for unauthorised home search. She counters: where's Bethal? He slams Grace's wardrobe before leaving. Heather to Winter: why steal Silas' folder? Elan and Lucy find Mihangel's defiled corpse in village hall with biblical message. Heather provides Grace with hall keys and Silas' folder. Lowri reveals Winter had folder. Winter: stalled Cai's investigation to keep Grace on island. Owen to Elan: leave island after investigation, as True Way's dangerous. Someone grabs Lucy. Grace: people casting blame on True Way for Mihangel's desecration. |||||
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Daniel O'Hara | Toby Whithouse | 22 May 2024 (2024-05-22) |
| Flashback: Cooper to Grace: insufficient evidence of bashing alleged rapist. Present: Grace decides to question Lester. Winter volunteers to sneak into Gruffudd's house for Bethan's laptop. Crowther twins pretend to be dead: spook Grace. Lester: lists people who have mortuary keys. Lucy provides Bethan's laptop password. Grace faints and is taken to pub bedroom. Lowri prepares Grace's drink. Heather stops taking medication. Owen distracts Gruffudd; Winter sneaks upstairs. Winter reads Bethan and Cai's emails. Gruffudd refuses to answer Owen's questions. Owen and Winter tell Grace about Bethan's laptop. Grace: they jeopardised investigation. Gruffudd and Minh arrive. Gruffudd: Cai assisted Bethan to leave St Jory; Bethan enrolled at Leeds University. Gruffudd went to pub during last year's storm where Lowri was confined. Dylan informs Grace: attempted boat stealing. Lowri confirms Gruffudd's alibi. Grace checks Dylan's boat. Gruffudd sifts through Grace's evidence. Lucy tells Gruffudd: someone's trapped in church. Grace views last year's ferry CCTV. They see Douglas missed ferry. Gruffudd searches church; finds Cai's backpack. Douglas stabs Gruffudd, who handcuffs himself to Douglas before dying. Douglas saws off Douglas' arm. Owen and Grace find Gruffudd's corpse. Grace arrests Douglas. Heather and islanders confront Grace: they will deal with Douglas. |||||
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Daniel O'Hara | Toby Whithouse | 29 May 2024 (2024-05-29) |
| True Way adherents grab Douglas. Heather announces trial at village hall. Elan reveals her True Way status. Locals assemble in village hall. Grace represents Douglas. Heather outlines Douglas' actions; mainland trial would see justice thwarted by lawyer's tricks. Grace argues that Douglas should be given opportunity to defend himself: Heather will execute Douglas making islanders complicit. Heather describes Douglas' sexual relationship with 12-year-old girl. Islanders vote regarding Douglas' guilt. Heather lies: votes are equal. Grace casts deciding vote: for death. True Way adherents prepare Douglas. Lucy reveals True Way knew Douglas was child molester. True Way wanted to sacrifice Cai to appease their gods, which would rejuvenate Heather. Grace and Owen liberate Douglas; hide in village hall. Grace discovers Matt was an islander: gave True Way her name. Heather caused Grace's ruination by subverting her belief in lawful process. Lowri to Winter: True Way killed Cai to save Heather. Ian diverts Crowthers' search. Douglas admits to handing Cai to Mihangel. Grace orders Owen to imprison Douglas. Grace submits to True Way. Owen organises remaining islanders to prevent Grace's sacrifice, and the True Way surrender and are arrested. Ian rushes forward, grabs Heather: both plunge down hole. Six months later: Grace exonerated. Police were infiltrated by Heather's agents. Grace is offered the chance to take over policing on St. Jory permanently, but her choice is not revealed. |||||