The Long Call

The Long Call
Based on	The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
Developed by	Kelly Jones
Directed by	Lee Haven Jones
Music by	Samuel Sim
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	4
Production
Executive producers	Kelly Jones Kate Bartlett
Producer	Angie Daniell
Cinematography	Bjørn Ståle Bratberg
Production company	Silverprint Pictures
Original release
Network	ITV BritBox
Release	25 October (2021-10-25) – 28 October 2021 (2021-10-28)

The Long Call is a British crime drama television series developed by Kelly Jones and Silverprint Pictures based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Ann Cleeves. It premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom on 25 October 2021 and was released internationally as a BritBox original following broadcast.

Premise

The series follows Detective Inspector Matthew Venn as he returns to his hometown in Devon with his husband for his religious father's funeral, only to find himself investigating a local murder.

Cast

Main

• Ben Aldridge as DI Matthew Venn
• Declan Bennett as Jonathan Roberts
• Siobhán Cullen as Caroline Reasley
• Anita Dobson as Grace Stephenson
• Dylan Edwards as Ross Pritchard
• Sarah Gordy as Lucy Craddle
• Aoife Hinds as Gaby Chadwell
• Pearl Mackie as DS Jen Rafferty
• Neil Morrissey as Christopher Reasley
• Amit Shah as Ed Raveley
• Martin Shaw as Dennis Stephenson
• Juliet Stevenson as Dorothy Venn
• Alan Williams as Maurice Craddle

Recurring

• Melissandre St Hilaire as Ella Rafferty
• Iona Anderson as Rosa Shapland
• Nia Gwynne as Ruth Shapland
• John-Paul MacLeod as Alfie James

Episodes

Overall No.	Episode No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Two Rivers"	Lee Haven Jones	Kelly Jones	25 October 2021 (2021-10-25)
Detective Inspector Matthew Venn returns to his hometown in Devon, with his husband Jonathan Roberts. Not long after the funeral of his father, he is put in charge of the investigation into the murder of forty-year-old Simon Walton, whose body was found on the beach. It is discovered that his last name is actually Walden and that several years earlier he was responsible for an accident in which a child died. Venn also discovers that the child’s mother had been meeting with Walden and they felt bonded over the pain of the accident. Venn attempts to reconcile with his mother, Dorothy, a member of the evangelical religious community where Venn grew up, and visits leader Dennis Stephenson, who gives him his father’s bible. Ruth Shapland, a friend of Dorothy's, reports her daughter Rosa missing and during questioning reveals that Walden had started attending church meetings at Rosa's invitation. The police receive an emergency call from a terrified Rosa, leaving Venn to conclude that she has been kidnapped.
2	2	"Church of the Brethren"	Lee Haven Jones	Kelly Jones	26 October 2021 (2021-10-26)
Venn and the police uncover a cabin where they suspect Rosa was kept, with bloodstains being the only evidence of her having been there. Further investigation into Walden reveals that he was in a relationship with his housemate Gaby Chadwell; they used to meet at the same cabin but eventually broke up. Venn’s mother reveals that she and his father kept a scrap book containing news articles about his career. Christopher Reasley, the father of Walden's housemate Caroline, encourages her to take a two-week vacation, and she reveals to her boyfriend Ed that he is manipulative. Rosa is spotted in the woods near Lovecott, and the police start a search. Rosa is found and hospitalised, and the nurse explains that a head injury may have confused her memories. Caroline discovers a non-disclosure agreement between her father and Walden, and tells Ed that her father caused an accident that injured her and killed her mother while driving drunk. Venn’s team uncovers CCTV footage that puts Christopher Reasley on their suspect list.
3	3	"Woodyard"	Lee Haven Jones	Kelly Jones	27 October 2021 (2021-10-27)
Reasley is brought in for questioning about how he got 120 pounds from the Woodyard. Some of the money is revealed to have been taken by Walden in an attempt to save the Woodyard. Venn and Rafferty ask Rosa questions about what happened to her, but she claims that she is unable to remember. She is later baptised, and re-enters the church environment. Venn and his husband are visited by Dorothy. The police question Lucy, but she initially refuses to talk. Caroline confronts her father about the non-disclosure agreement between him and Walden, which is revealed to be related to an accusation against Ed Ravely for the sexual assault of Rosa. Rosa confides in Grace Stephenson and goes to the police to tell them what happened to her. Caroline meets Ed and agrees to help him leave the area, but upon returning home to pack the police arrive to arrest him.
4	4	"Saint or Sinner"	Lee Haven Jones	Kelly Jones	28 October 2021 (2021-10-28)
During questioning, Ed confesses to rape, but denies having any involvement in Walden’s murder. Grace Stephenson has conflicting thoughts about whether or not she wants help or keep going, ultimately deciding to talk to Venn about Dennis’ treatment of her. She is brought to the station for a formal statement and Dennis is arrested. He is later released due to lack of evidence and takes Grace home. Jonathan encourages Venn to put his shame of the past behind him. Venn brings his mother into the investigation in order to gather more evidence against Dennis, leading to him telling her about his life after he left Devon. He confronts Dennis and attempts to look for Grace, but is knocked out by Dennis. He regains consciousness when Grace confronts Dennis with the knife used on Walden. Grace confesses to the murder, also telling about how Dennis controlled her, again landing him behind bars. Venn’s mother temporarily takes over the leadership at the church.

Production

In November 2020, it was announced Silverprint Pictures would adapt Ann Cleeves' novel for ITV. Kelly Jones would pen the four-part drama as her first standalone series and third collaboration with Silverprint on a Cleeves adaptation, with Lee Haven Jones directing and Angie Daniell producing.

Principal photography took place in 2020 on location in Bristol and the North Devon coast, particularly around the Taw and Torridge estuary. Matthew and Jonathan's house is located in Appledore. Actor Ben Aldridge grew up in the area.

Reception

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2022	GLAAD Media Awards	Outstanding New TV Series	The Long Call	Nominated

External links

• The Long Call at IMDb