Annika rises slightly above the standard, formulaic British crime shows that have become commonplace. What makes it stand out is its willingness to be clever and humorous. A notable feature is when a central figure delivers what’s known in theatrical circles as an aside—a dramatic device frequently linked with Shakespeare, where a character breaks from the narrative to speak directly to the viewers. Seeing this approach used here is intriguing, and surprisingly, it proves effective because the main characters generally have something worthwhile to offer. However, the crimes that Annika and her colleagues investigate are rather ordinary. It’s disappointing they didn't devise more imaginative stories to complement the well-developed personalities. Speaking of which, it seems almost every installment features the perpetrator or someone involved attempting to flee. Another drawback is the overt incorporation of progressive themes, which many people understandably find grating. While I personally don't have a problem with diverse lifestyles, the show doesn’t accurately reflect reality for most individuals. Why does it feel so necessary to portray it as such? Ultimately, Annika is a crime drama that surpasses what we typically see from the UK, though it could have been even stronger if the criminal plots had been crafted with the same skill as the characters themselves.

Source on TMDB