The TV landscape is awash with crime dramas. But every so often, something comes along that feels different, like a chilly wind blowing in from the Hebrides. Enter An t-Eilean (translated as The Island), a Gaelic-language series set against the stark beauty of the Isle of Harris in Scotland, arriving on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer this Tuesday. Could this be the UK’s first truly gripping Gaelic crime drama?
The setup is familiar yet compelling. A murder rocks the small, isolated community, forcing an outsider – in this case, Family Liaison Officer PC Kat Crichton (Sorcha Groundsell) – to confront the island’s tangled secrets. But for Crichton, this isn’t just another case. She has a history with the influential Maclean family, the clan at the center of the investigation, a history that forced her off the island a decade earlier. Now, with the murder of Lady Mary Maclean, Crichton’s past crashes into her present like a rogue wave.
Leading the investigation alongside Crichton is DCI Ahmed Halim, played by Sagar Radia. The cast also features Iain Macrae as the imposing Sir Douglas Maclean and Sinéad MacInnes as Eilidh Maclean, adding further weight to the already-present family drama. The backdrop of Lewis and Harris, with its rugged landscapes and close-knit community, is as much a character as any of the actors, adding an atmospheric layer to the proceedings.
An t-Eilean aims to offer something fresh to the genre, not just through its unique language and setting, but through its exploration of complex relationships, small-town politics, and the weight of past decisions. Will it manage to keep audiences gripped? That remains to be seen, but the premise certainly has potential.
An t-Eilean premieres Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 9:00 pm on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer. It will also air on BBC Four at a later date.
An t-Eilean is produced by Black Camel Pictures for BBC ALBA/BBC iPlayer, with funding from MG ALBA and Screen Scotland. All3Media International are managing worldwide distribution.
