The first episode of
Deadwater Fell received positive reviews from critics. David Craig of
Radio Times gave it four out of five, calling it a "complex and fascinating mystery". He praised screenwriter Daisy Coulam for fleshing out the characters, particularly Kate Kendrick (
Anna Madeley): "While
Deadwater Fell might initially sound like another case of '
disposable woman' in the crime genre, writer Daisy Coulam deserves recognition for elevating the character of Kate above such a trope."
Lucy Mangan of
The Guardian likewise rated it four out of five, comparing it positively to
Broadchurch: "Whether it will catch the public imagination like
Broadchurch did is anybody's guess. It feels far more solidly engineered, easily as convincing in its portrait of a small community suddenly shattered by an awful event, and it elicits more emotional investment from the off. I'm finding it an irresistible treat, but these things are essentially alchemical and unpredictable.
Broadchurch with freckles – think of it like that if it'll help. Come on in; the
Deadwaters lovely." == References ==