Psychological Thriller Drama, Summerwater, Premieres Monday, May 25 Exclusively on Acorn TV in the U.S. and Canada

Produced by Freedom Scripted in Association with All3Media International

Based on Sarah Moss' Best-Selling Novel, the Six-Part Series Stars Shirley Henderson, Dougray Scott and Valene Kane and is Written and Created by BAFTA Award Nominee John Donnelly (The Pass)

"Fans of creepy mystery Twin Peaks will love this psychological thriller" - Daily Mail

View and Embed Official Trailer

Download Official Key Art and Photos

NEW YORK - April 21, 2026 - AMC Global Media's Acorn TV, the leading streamer for compelling international crime dramas and murder mysteries, today announced that the thrilling and compulsive six-part drama, Summerwater, based on Sarah Moss' The Sunday Times' Top Ten novel, is premiering on Monday, May 25, exclusively on Acorn TV in the U.S. and Canada. Additional episodes will drop weekly on Mondays on the platform. Written and created for television by BAFTA Award-nominated John Donnelly (The Assessment, Utopia, The Pass), the suspenseful series stars Shirley Henderson (Dept. Q, The Nest, Happy Valley), Dougray Scott (Sherlock & Daughter, Vigil, The Crow Girl) and Valene Kane (Say Nothing, Gangs of London, The Fall).

The series' launch is part of Acorn TV's second annual Murder Mystery May, kicking off Friday, May 1, with new series premieres every week. The popular, month-long programming event celebrates the breadth of Acorn TV, showcasing the world's best mysteries ranging from fan-favorite whodunits to quirky sleuths to diabolical thrillers.

At a Scottish cabin resort enduring unpredictable weather, the residents of Summerwater attempt to escape life's problems in the serenity of isolation. Far from a relaxing retreat, Summerwater turns out to be a mysterious, all-knowing place, where residents are confronted with their deepest desires and darkest truths. Weaving together the lives of several families, as they are observed closely from their disparate cabins, Summerwater shows how the simmering tensions between vacationers leads to a devastating climax.

A thrilling and compulsive drama about relationships, sex, class, and not being able to escape yourself, Summerwater is a surreal world that takes the viewer on a journey of wit, heart, and tragedy. An unflinching yet empathetic look at human nature across generations, Summerwater provides a riveting portrait of the divided nation that is modern Britain. The series features additional cast members Daniel Rigby (I, Jack Wright), Gabriel Scott (House of the Dragon), Anna Próchniak (Showtrial) and Arnas Fedaravičius (The White Lotus).

Summerwater is written and created for television by BAFTA Award-nominated John Donnelly and is directed by BAFTA Award-nominated Robert McKillop (Guilt, Ludwig) and Fiona Walton (Rebus, Shetland). The series is produced by Freedom Scripted in association with All3Media International who are the show's global partner, with the support of Screen Scotland. Mike Ellen is the Executive Producer for Freedom and Jules Hussey is the Series Producer.

NOTE TO EDITORS

If you have any questions or would like to arrange interviews with the cast or creative team, please contact those listed below. We appreciate your support and coverage of Summerwater.

Acorn TV Contacts:

Susanna Zimmerman | [email protected]

Sam Luckert | [email protected]

About Acorn TV

AMC Global Media's Acorn TV is the leading streaming service for brilliant mysteries and suspense-driven dramas. Experience the world's best stories, from the criminally cozy to the daringly dark and get wrapped up in brilliant mysteries as Acorn TV adds exclusive programming every week to a deep library - all commercial-free. Acorn TV's recent slate is comprised of acclaimed commissioned and original series including popular UK detective drama Harry Wild (Jane Seymour), Signora Volpe (Emilia Fox), The Chelsea Detective (Adrian Scarborough), New Zealand detective series My Life Is Murder (Lucy Lawless), acclaimed Irish crime thriller Bloodlands (James Nesbitt, co-executive produced by Jed Mercurio), British crime drama Whitstable Pearl (Kerry Godliman), Kiwi romantic comedy Under the Vines (Rebecca Gibney, Charles Edwards) and British detective drama Dalgliesh (Bertie Carvel), to name a few. Current and upcoming Acorn TV Original Series include crime drama Art Detectives (Stephen Moyer), Irish Blood (Alicia Silverstone), Murder Before Evensong (Matthew Lewis), You're Killing Me (Brooke Shields) and many more. The above add to a growing catalog of popular bingeable dramas including Jack Irish (Guy Pearce), Doc Martin (Martin Clunes), Deadwater Fell (David Tennant, Cush Jumbo) and all 24 seasons of fan-favorite Midsomer Murders, among others. 

"…glorious streaming service… an essential must-have" - The Hollywood Reporter 

"Netflix for the Anglophile" - NPR 

Acorn TV is available for $8.99/month or $89.99/year. Facebook: OfficialAcornTV - Twitter: @AcornTV - Instagram: @Acorn_tv