TV series "Marcella" (Marcella) is a British detective thriller that has gained a cult following among crime drama fans since its premiere in 2016. The main character played by Anna Friel, returns to police work after tragic events in his personal life, solving complicated crimes. But how many episodes are there in each season, and how not to get confused in the chronology? This article will help you understand all the details - from the number of episodes to hidden Easter eggs that viewers often miss.
It is important to understand that "Marcella" was released intermittently, and the format of the episodes changed from season to season. For example, the first season consisted of 8 episodes, and the third season consisted of 6, but with an extended runtime. We analyzed official data ITV And Netflix, to provide up-to-date information for 2026, including possible sequel announcements. If you are planning a marathon or are looking for a specific series, you will find answers to all your questions here.
Total number of episodes in Marcella: summary table by season
For convenience, we have collected data for all seasons in one table. Please note that the length of the episodes varies: in the first two seasons, episodes lasted ~45 minutes, and in the third - up to 60 minutes (excluding advertising). This is important to consider when planning your viewing.
| Season | Release year | Number of episodes | Total duration | Premiere channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016 | 8 | ~6 hours | ITV (UK) |
| 2 | 2018 | 8 | ~6 hours 20 min | ITV |
| 3 | 2021 | 6 | ~6 hours | ITV / Netflix (international premiere) |
Interesting fact: the third season was originally planned as the final one, but due to the success with viewers (especially on Netflix) the creators were considering the possibility of filming a fourth. However, at the moment (June 2026) there is no official confirmation. Read more about the fate of the series in the section about the future of the franchise.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions Netflix breaks seasons into "parts" (for example, season 3 might appear as 2 parts of 3 episodes). This is a technical point of the platform - the actual number of episodes remains unchanged.
Season 1: 8 episodes with a surprise ending
Season 1 "Marcellas" was released in April 2016 and immediately attracted the attention of critics due to its non-linear narrative and psychological depth. The action takes place in London, where a former detective Marcella Bax returns to work after divorce and disappearance of husband. The main plot revolves around a series of murders connected to an unsolved case from the heroine's past.
Feature of the season - chronological leaps between 2005 and 2016, which reveal the motivations of the characters. This technique often confuses viewers, so we recommend watching without much interruption. Key series:
- 🔍 Episode 1 — getting to know Marcella and her family; first murder.
- 💀 Episode 4 — revealing the connection between the victims and the heroine’s past.
- 🎭 Episode 8 (final) — a shocking tweet involving Marcella's husband.
Watching hack: If you have trouble following the timelines, turn on the subtitles - they often indicate the year the scene takes place (for example, [2005] or [2016]). This will help you avoid losing the thread of the plot.
- Season 1
- Season 2
- Season 3
- Haven't watched it yet
Season 2: 8 episodes with a new killer and personal dramas
The second season, which premiered in 2018, moved the action to North London, where Marcella investigates a series of ritual child murders. The plot became even darker, and the heroine’s psychological state worsened - she began to suffer from dissociative disorder, which added tension to the series.
Key changes compared to the first season:
- 📍 New location — the action moved from South London to North London.
- 👮 New partners — Marcella works with a detective Tim Williamson (performed by Keith Allen).
- 🧠 Psychological emphasis — more attention is paid to the mental health of the main character.
The season finale once again left viewers in shock: the killer was not the one everyone suspected. It's interesting that the scriptwriters were inspired by a real case "Channel Killers" (Ian Brady and Myra Hindley), which adds documentary depth to the series.
If you liked the second season, pay attention to the series "Broadchurch" — there is a similar approach to investigating murders in a small community.
Season 3: 6 episodes, but with extended runtime
The third season was released in 2021 after a three-year break and became the most anticipated. The format has changed: instead of 8 episodes of 45 minutes, viewers received 6 episodes of 60 minutes. This decision was explained by the creators' desire to delve deeper into the psychology of the characters and give more screen time to key scenes.
The plot of the season focuses on the investigation into the murder of a young woman found in the forest. At the same time, Marcella’s personal arc is developing: she is trying to improve her relationship with her daughter and cope with the consequences of traumas from the past. Important details:
- 🌳 Location - most of the action takes place in the forest Epping Forest.
- 👧 Marcella's daughter — May becomes a full-fledged character with his own storyline.
- 🔫 New antagonist - the killer uses
hunting rifle, which complicates the investigation.
⚠️ Attention: In the third season there is a scene with trigger content (suicide), which can be difficult to understand. If you are sensitive to such topics, skip 22-25 minutes 3 episodes.
The season finale left a lot of questions open, sparking speculation about a fourth season. However, for now ITV And Netflix filming of the sequel has not been confirmed. Read more about the prospects for the franchise in the next section.
Who is the killer in season 3?
Turned out to be the killer Stella Dewar, a psychologist who avenged her sister's death. The motive is revealed in the final scene, where she confesses to Marcella before her arrest.
The future of Marcella: will there be a season 4?
After the release of the third season, fans are actively discussing the possibility of a continuation. Here is what is known today (June 2026):
- 📉 Ratings — views on Netflix were high, but not record-breaking.
- 💰 Budget — filming in London is becoming more expensive, which can become an obstacle.
- 🎭 Cast — Anna Friel expressed readiness to return, but only under a “strong scenario.”
- 📜 Plot plots — the finale of season 3 leaves room for development (for example, the fate of Marcella’s daughter).
According to the producer Nick Logan, negotiations about the fourth season have been held, but so far the project is in limbo. Alternative option - spin-off with other characters (for example, about the detective Tim Williamson).
If you want to support the series, subscribe to the official pages ITV on social networks and leave requests for continuation - sometimes this influences studio decisions!
Even if Season 4 doesn't happen, Marcella has spin-off potential thanks to its deep universe and supporting characters.
Where can you watch Marcella legally in 2026?
Today the series is available on several platforms, but their range depends on your region. Here are the current data:
| Platform | Region | Seasons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Worldwide (except UK) | 1–3 | Included in subscription |
| ITVX | UK | 1–3 | Free (with ads) |
| Amazon Prime Video | USA, Canada, Australia | 1–3 | Rent/purchase (~$2–3 per episode) |
| Okko | Russia, CIS | 1–3 | Included in subscription |
Important: on Netflix the series may disappear from the catalog if the rights are not renewed. To avoid missing out on care, add "Marcella" in My list — the platform will send a notification before deletion.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid pirated resources! In 2023, cases were recorded where malware was distributed on illegal sites under the guise of Marcella series. It's better to take advantage of the free trial period on Netflix or Okko.
Interesting facts about filming that you might not know
Behind the scenes "Marcellas" There are many interesting details hidden that make the series even more interesting. Here are some of them:
- 🎬 Directorial debut — directed the first episode of the first season Susie Lisenby, known for her work on "Sherlock".
- 🏠 Marcella's House — exterior shots of her house were filmed in a real neighborhood Hampstead (London), and the interiors are in the pavilion.
- 🩸 Realistic corpses — mannequins from the company were used for murder scenes Special Effects Ltd, who also worked on "Game of Thrones".
- 🎶 Soundtrack - wrote the music Ben Fost, author of film scores "007: Skyfall coordinates" And "Sicilian Diary".
Another little-known fact: the role of Marcella was originally offered to Helen McCrory (known from "Pikam"), but she declined due to scheduling conflicts. Anna Friel I got the role a week before filming started!
☑️ What to watch after "Marcella"
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the TV series “Marcella”
How many episodes are there in Marcella so far?
For June 2026 in the series 22 episodes: 8 episodes in the first two seasons and 6 episodes in the third. If there is a fourth season, this number will increase.
Why is the third season shorter than the previous ones?
The creators explained this as a creative decision: they wanted to focus on quality of storytelling, increasing the length of each episode to 60 minutes. The budget also played a role - filming in the forest Epping Forest were more expensive than in urban locations.
Where can I find transcripts of episodes with timecodes?
Official transcripts are on the website ITV Press Centre (press only), but fans maintain a detailed wiki at Fandom, where timecodes of key scenes and dialogues are indicated.
Will there be Russian voice acting for the new season?
If the fourth season does come out, then with a high probability it will be voiced in Russian for Netflix And Okko. Previous seasons had professional dubbing from the studio "Pythagoras" (Marcella's voices - Elena Chebaturkina).
What books are similar to Marcella in terms of atmosphere?
We recommend paying attention to:
- 📖 "The Girl on the Train" Paula Hawkins (psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator).
- 📖 "Dark Places" Gillian Flynn (investigating old murders with personal involvement).
- 📖 "Serial" Thomas Harris (if you are interested in the psychology of murderers).