From Doc Martin to Dark Crime: Martin Clunes Reinvents Himself in the Haunting True-Crime Drama Manhunt

Disney+ brings back ITV’s gripping series about detective Colin Sutton and the pursuit of Levi Bellfield — with Martin Clunes in his most unforgettable role yet

For years, Martin Clunes has been synonymous with comedy. His iconic turn as the grumpy yet endearing doctor in Doc Martin made him one of Britain’s most beloved TV stars. But in Manhunt, the tone is very different. Gone are the light-hearted laughs of Portwenn; in their place is a chilling true-crime story that will leave viewers rattled, disturbed, and deeply moved.

Streaming now on Disney+, Manhunt first aired on ITV in 2019 and immediately drew acclaim as one of the most gripping British crime dramas of the decade. Based on the memoirs of former London Metropolitan Police detective Colin Sutton, the series dramatizes the painstaking investigation that led to the capture of Levi Bellfield, one of the UK’s most notorious serial killers.

For Clunes, the role of Sutton was a revelation — a quiet, unshowy performance that critics hailed as the best of his career. And for audiences, Manhunt offered a rare glimpse into the relentless grind of real police work, far removed from the sensationalized tropes of traditional crime drama.

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The Case That Shocked Britain

At the heart of Manhunt is the 2004 murder of Amélie Delagrange, a 22-year-old French exchange student living in Twickenham. Found bludgeoned to death on Twickenham Green, her case horrified the nation and baffled detectives.

Enter Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton, newly assigned to the case. Sutton’s dogged determination soon linked Delagrange’s murder to two earlier crimes: the killing of 19-year-old Marsha McDonnell in 2003 and the abduction and murder of 13-year-old Milly Dowler in 2002. The connection pointed to a predator hiding in plain sight — Levi Bellfield.

Through Sutton’s meticulous police work, Bellfield was finally brought to justice. Convicted of multiple murders, he is now serving life sentences, his name etched into British criminal history as one of its most feared killers.

The weight of these crimes — and the painstaking investigation that solved them — form the backbone of Manhunt.

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Clunes Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before

For many viewers, Martin Clunes is inseparable from the cranky yet oddly lovable Dr. Martin Ellingham. That’s what makes his transformation in Manhunt so stunning.

As Sutton, Clunes strips away theatrics and bravado. His performance is restrained, understated, and quietly powerful — perfectly mirroring the methodical nature of police work. There are no chase scenes, no flashy interrogations. Instead, Clunes embodies a man consumed by duty, driven not by ego but by a simple, relentless question: How do we stop him before he kills again?

Critics were quick to praise Clunes’s performance. The Radio Times described him as “superb,” while social media lit up with viewers calling it “his best role to date.” One fan tweeted: “This excellent drama is extremely well acted in the main role by Martin Clunes. I couldn’t stop watching — all three episodes in one go.”

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Respect for the Victims

The sensitivity of the subject matter was never lost on the production team. Colin Sutton himself served as a consultant, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. He insisted the series be made with full disclosure to the victims’ families, and that their perspectives remained central.

“They knew the story of the effort that went into the investigation and how hard we worked,” Sutton explained. “And it was the best we could do for them because we couldn’t bring their loved ones back, but we could treat them with decency and respect.”

That respect is evident in the way Manhunt handles its story. Unlike many crime dramas that sensationalize violence, the series avoids gratuitous detail, focusing instead on the emotional toll on families and the quiet persistence of detectives trying to deliver justice.

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Season Two: The Hunt for Delroy Grant

The success of the first series led to Manhunt: The Night Stalker, which aired in 2021 and is also available for streaming.

This time, Clunes’s Sutton is tasked with tracking down Delroy Grant, a serial burglar and rapist who terrorized elderly residents of South London for nearly two decades. Known in headlines as the “Night Stalker,” Grant carried out assaults from 1992 until his arrest in 2009, leaving entire communities living in fear.

If the first series was shocking, the second is haunting. Watching Sutton and his team painstakingly unravel Grant’s pattern of attacks is both riveting and emotionally draining. Clunes once again delivers a nuanced portrayal, proving that Manhunt isn’t just about crime — it’s about resilience, community, and the pursuit of justice against all odds.

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Audience Reaction: “Heartbreaking and Compelling”

Upon release, both series of Manhunt drew widespread acclaim. Viewers praised its honesty, restraint, and gripping storytelling.

Social media lit up with reactions:

• “Terribly heartbreaking and completely compelling.”

• “Some great acting, brilliantly and delicately handled.”

• “Superb, real-life drama. Martin Clunes was outstanding.”

For many, what made Manhunt stand out was its realism. It doesn’t glorify detectives as action heroes or simplify investigations into neat packages. Instead, it shows the late nights, the paperwork, the false leads, and the emotional toll — the real, grinding work that often goes unnoticed.

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Why Manhunt Still Matters

In an age of true-crime podcasts and binge-worthy Netflix documentaries, Manhunt distinguishes itself by being both gripping drama and respectful history. It reminds audiences that behind every headline is a victim, a grieving family, and detectives determined to deliver justice.

It also cements Martin Clunes as far more than just Doc Martin. His portrayal of Colin Sutton is a career-defining turn — a role that proves his versatility and depth as an actor. For those who only know him as the quirky Cornish GP, Manhunt will be a revelation.

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Final Verdict: A Must-Watch True-Crime Masterpiece

If you’re a fan of detective dramas but crave something deeper than the usual formula, Manhunt is essential viewing. It’s a chilling yet respectful retelling of two of Britain’s most shocking crime stories, anchored by a performance from Martin Clunes that lingers long after the credits roll.

Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting it on Disney+, clear your schedule: this is the kind of drama you’ll want to devour in one sitting.

Because in Manhunt, the crimes may be horrifying, but the pursuit of justice — and the humanity at its core — is unforgettable.