Still Waters tells a new ‘The Light in the Hall‘ story, in the same location as the 2022 drama, and with some of the original cast members.
Since this was shown in Wales, and on Acorn TV last year (which is the version I’ve seen), the year is 2025, and this time, the murder mystery begins 30 years earlier, with a dead body, inside a building that explodes.
Back to the present-ish, and Robert (Robert Glenister – The Death Of Bunny Munro) is the head of a big water company, which wants to buy up the countryside land for a reservoir expansion , but “Big business = BAD!”
Returning to the village for the first time in many years, is Rhys Owen (Mark Lewis Jones – Hostage (Netflix)), banned from his local pub, telling the owner, “You think you know the truth, but you don’t”, since he’s rumoured to have killed cousin Llyr at the time – even having gone to jail for it, but maintains his innocence. Normally, you might stay away from such a place going forward, but he’s come back to the area to look after his father, who’s in poor health.
One of the original cast, Caryl (Sian Reese-Williams – The Beautiful Game), is a journalist who wants to help Rhys get answers – even though he wants to put it all behind him.
This time round, though, Still Waters is all very ‘Gritty BAFTA’, with the trailer showing it’s full of oddly-filmed scenes with characters all over the place. A bit like those interviews where they’re filmed looking in odd directions, as opposed to just looking at the bloody camera.
The Light in the Hall was a load of tedious toss, but this one is a slight improvement. However, it’s still incredibly slow, so bear that in mind, if you’re in two minds about it.
And there’s no big surprises to it, but there are some scary eyebrows!
Still Waters begins Tuesday night on Channel 4 at 9pm, continues the following night, and then is on each Tues/Weds for the subsequent two weeks. Once broadcast, all episodes will be on All 4.
It’s not yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but when it is, it will be listed on the New DVD, Blu-ray, 3D and 4K releases UK page.
Cert: 
Running time: 45-50 minutes per episode (6 episodes)
Release date: June 16th 2026
Channel: Channel 4
Format: 1.85:1
Series Directors: Rhys Carter, Sion Ifan, Erin Richards
Producer: Jane Dauncey
Creator: Regina Moriarty
Writers: Regina Moriarty, Anwen Huws, Sian Naiomi, Angharad Elen, Catherine Linstrum, Gina Moriarty
Music: Sam Barnes, Tic Ashfield, John ER Hardy
Cast:
Caryl: Sian Reese-Williams
Rhys Owen: Mark Lewis Jones
Llyr Owen: Ieuan Evans
Rhys Ifanc: Oliver John
Eve: Nia Roberts
Mabli: Maeve Courtier-Lilley
Bryn: Wyn Bowen Harries
Robert: Robert Glenister
Hari: Tom Rhys Harries
Gareth: Matthew Gravelle
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.