Traces (TV series)

Red Production Company

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Television production
Parent	StudioCanal

Traces is a British crime drama created by Red Production Company, a subsidiary of StudioCanal. The series was co-developed and scripted by Val McDermid and Amelia Bullmore, originating from McDermid's concept. It first aired on Alibi on 9 December 2019. Subsequent broadcasts included a repeat on BBC One in January 2021 and on Drama in January 2022. The second season, comprising six episodes, premiered in February 2022 and was later shown on BBC One starting March 2024.

Synopsis

The narrative of Traces centers on three women working in forensic science—Emma Hedges, Sarah Gordon, and Kathy Torrence—who are based at the fictional Scottish Institute of Forensic Science and Anatomy (SIFA) at the University of Tayside in Dundee, Scotland. Together, they investigate a homicide case aiming to identify and apprehend the culprit.

Cast

The principal cast for the initial season included:

• Molly Windsor portrays Emma Hedges, a lab technician who returns to Dundee for new employment while seeking answers about her mother's murder.
• Laura Fraser plays Sarah Gordon, a Chemistry professor at the University of Tayside and Emma’s supervisor at SIFA.
• Jennifer Spence appears as Kathy Torrence, a forensic anthropology professor and colleague at SIFA.
• Martin Compston acts as Daniel MacAfee, director of a construction firm and Emma’s love interest.
• Vincent Regan features as Phil MacAfee, ex-director of MacAfee Construction and Daniel’s father.
• Michael Nardone is Detective Inspector Neil McKinven, an associate of Professor Gordon with knowledge regarding the Marie Monroe investigation.
• Phil McKee takes the role of Jimmy Levin, husband to Marie Monroe and Emma’s stepfather.
• John Gordon Sinclair depicts Drew Cubbin, Emma’s father and former partner of Marie Monroe.
• Morayo Akandé plays Detective Constable Trina Adeboyo, working alongside DI McKinven at Police Scotland.
• Jamie Marie Leary as Skye Alessi, Emma’s childhood best friend.
• Carly Anderson as Marie Monroe, Emma’s deceased mother whose murder remains unresolved.
• Laurie Brett portrays Izzy Alessi, Marie Monroe’s close friend and Skye’s mother.
• Joana Borja acts as Pia Salvador, a forensic scientist and romantic partner of Kathy Torrence.
• Andrea Hart appears as Janine Muir, receptionist at SIFA.
• Anna Leong Brophy plays Louise Chiu Jones, chemist and Emma’s laboratory colleague at SIFA.
• Neve McIntosh is Julie Hedges, Emma’s maternal aunt who became her guardian after her mother’s death.
• Janey Godley features as Clare Tindall, a criminal defence lawyer representing Daniel.

Production

Although Traces is set in Dundee, the majority of filming was conducted in Bolton. The series’ opening theme is a rendition of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" performed by Valerie Broussard.

Critical reception

The Guardian awarded the show three out of five stars, acknowledging strong performances but describing it as "what happens when TV runs out of new shows." Meanwhile, The Times gave it two out of five stars, critiquing it for lacking distinctiveness.