The Jetty, BBC review — Jenna Coleman shines in detective drama about violence against women

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There have been countless detective shows about girls who go missing, but now we are seeing more series that explore the societal issues behind violence against young women. After watching "Under the Bridge," a Disney+ series inspired by a true story of a teenage girl murdered by her peers, we now have a thought-provoking four-part thriller from the BBC that delves into issues of consent and grooming in a small English town setting.

The Jetty opens with a fire set intentionally at a lakefront home in the countryside of Lancashire. The detective in charge of the case is Ember Manning, who is in her thirties and has more experience and wisdom than her colleagues. Despite hoping to move on from the loss of her husband, Ember is pulled back into the past as she uncovers unsettling secrets during the investigation.

The fire sheds light on a troubling situation with a pregnant 15-year-old and reignites interest in a cold case of a girl who went missing twenty years ago. Is there a connection between the two? Weruche Opia, a true-crime podcaster, comes to town after getting a tip about a sexual predator and is convinced the cases are linked, informing Ember.

When Ember begins a personal side investigation, she starts to question her own connection with her deceased spouse. Their relationship began when she was a teenager and he was in his twenties. Could the feelings she thought were love actually be something darker? Coleman does a great job of showing the uncertainty and unease that arise from these reflections.

In the show, there are two connected stories and a side story involving Ember's teenage daughter Ruby Stokes that explore how young girls are sometimes pressured into things they may not realize is wrong. While the show doesn't vilify boys, it does suggest a culture of sexism and lack of understanding about consent in schools and on the internet that is relevant to today's issues.

However, these complex issues may have been more effectively addressed through a serious and direct play instead of a messy mystery story filled with overused plot devices, forced explanations, and dramatic elements. Overall, The Jetty is not quite sturdy enough to handle such heavy themes.

Episodes 1 and 2 will be shown on BBC1 on July 15 and 16 at 9pm, followed by the final episode the next week. You can also watch the series on BBC iPlayer.