Fortitude

Network: Pivot
Episodes: 26 (hour)
Seasons: Three

TV show dates: January 29, 2015 — TBD
Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Stanley Tucci, Richard Dormer, Sofie Gråbøl, Darren Boyd, Verónica Echegui, Sienna Guillory, Jessica Gunning, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Johnny Harris, Mia Jexen, Aaron McCusker, Alexandra Moen, Phoebe Nicholls, Nicholas Pinnock, Jessica Raine, Luke Treadaway, Christopher Eccleston, and Michael Gambon.

TV show description:      
This psychological thriller TV series takes place in Fortitude, an international community in the Arctic with inhabitants from many parts of the world. It’s known as one of the safest towns on Earth and there’s never been a violent crime there — until now.

In such a close-knit community a gruesome murder touches everyone and the unsettling horror of this crime threatens the future of the town itself. As the cold Arctic darkness gives way to endless summer nights, this apparently idyllic community struggles to make sense of the murderous horror that has been let loose in its heart.

A detective with the British police force, DCI Eugene Morton (Stanley Tucci) is a former FBI agent who has been based in the UK for over 25 years. Morton is summoned and is single-minded in his pursuit of the truth regarding the murder, not caring who he upsets in the course of the investigation.

Morton’s methods quickly gain him enemies in the small town, including hostility from the local police like Sheriff Dan Anderssen (Richard Dormer). Up until now, Anderssen’s job has consisted almost entirely of search-and-rescue. He has a quiet charisma and a strong physical presence and he is well-liked in the town. He’s also wrestling with drunkenness and self-loathing as he keeps a dark secret that could have devastating repercussions.

Anderssen is single, but intensely attracted to Elena Ledesma (Verónica Echegui), a Spanish woman who has recently moved to the island. She’s also hiding a dark secret that would make the locals nervous. The Sheriff knows her secret but it hasn’t stopped him from falling for her. Now working at the Midnight Sun Hotel, she’s become involved with a married man and is a major player in the mystery surrounding the town’s shocking events.

Hildur Odegard (Sofie Gråbøl) is Fortitude’s governor and has lived in the region for 20 years. She came to town on her honeymoon with her husband Eric. While Eric is content to work as a policeman, Hildur has thrown herself into politics and her main concern is the town’s ongoing decline. Her flagship project for the past three years has been the development of a glacier hotel — to boost tourism and guarantee the town’s existence when the once thriving mines are forced to close.

An eminent scientist, Professor Charlie Stoddart (Christopher Eccleston) is head of the Arctic research centre based in Fortitude. In charge of the environmental impact assessment for the glacier hotel development, the project that could save the town from ruin and it hinges on his findings. When local children make an unexpected discovery on the island, the respected professor is catapulted into the center of the most significant event in Fortitude’s history.

Talented young scientist Vincent Rattrey (Luke Treadaway) is the newest member of professor Stoddart’s team and is here to investigate the recent cannibalistic behavior in the polar bear population. Soon, he’s drawn into the strange and terrifying events threatening the town.

A beautiful and brilliant scientist, Natalie Yelburton (Sienna Guillory) immediately catches the eye of newcomer Vincent. Cool and calm under pressure, she’s thrown into the center of the vicious crime as the research centre becomes the key to unlocking what really happened.

Having served in Afghanistan, former military man Frank Sutter (Nicholas Pinnock) is now a search-and-rescue pilot who works with the local police. When he begins an affair with a fellow newcomer, his irresponsible actions have further reaching consequences that affects his personal and professional lives.

Frank’s wife is Jules Sutter (Jessica Raine) and they are parents to son Liam. Jules and Frank’s marriage is far from perfect and his wandering eye often causes friction. Jules’ world begins to fall apart when Liam becomes seriously ill and she makes a devastating discovery.

An award-winning photographer who’s famous for capturing the animals and landscape of the Arctic, Henry Tyson (Sir Michael Gambon) is an intelligent, independent, and proud man. He’s lived in Fortitude longer than anybody. He has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer, a condition he’s making worse with his heavy drinking over the guilt he feels over a fatal incident.

What do you think? Do you like the Fortitude TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?