What I'm Watching: "Marcella"

ITV's Marcella — which arrives Stateside July 1 on Netflix — is ludicrous, over the top, ridiculous fun. Anna Friel + Laura Carmichael + Jamie Bamber + a ruthless serial killer whose MO is suffocating people with plastic bags over their heads + a compromised detective with rage blackouts = perfect way to spend my Monday evenings during this eight-episode run. 

Marcella is compulsive viewing, even as it veers into the ludicrous, but is ultimately saved by the presence of Friel, who deftly balances grim and loony modes. She's the anchor at the center of a production that would jettison off to the upper atmosphere if she weren't there to keep it grounded.

The mystery itself is totally nonsensical (so many red herrings! so many suspects with beards! so many convoluted sideplots!) but I could not stop watching, and I do hope Marcella returns for another season of madness and intrigue.