Starting January 3, French channel Polar+ is bringing American viewers a fresh way to discover British crime drama with The Island (original title: An t-Eilean). Shot primarily in Scottish Gaelic and set against the stark beauty of the Outer Hebrides, this four-part miniseries blends family trauma, small-town secrets, and atmospheric island noir into a very different kind of UK thriller.
What Is “The Island” About?
The Island unfolds on the remote Isle of Harris, part of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. When Lady Mary Maclean, the matriarch of a powerful local clan, is found murdered, the crime shatters the fragile balance of the community and exposes long-buried tensions.
The local police are forced to dig into the Macleans’ past, unearthing rivalries, betrayals, and family obligations that have been simmering for generations. The more the investigators advance, the more it becomes clear that this is not just a whodunit, but a story about what an isolated community is willing to hide to protect its own.
A Hometown Detective Caught Between Loyalty and Justice
At the center of the investigation is Kat Crichton, a young liaison officer recently assigned to the case. Kat isn’t an outsider parachuted in from the city—she grew up on Harris and personally knows many of the Macleans.
That intimate connection becomes both an asset and a liability. Every interview is loaded with unspoken history, every decision is colored by shared childhood memories, family ties, and social pressure. On an island where everyone is related to someone, Kat has to navigate:
- Complex kinship networks and old resentments
- Community expectations that clash with police procedure
- Her own past, resurfacing as the case progresses
This makes The Island less about flashy twists and more about the emotional cost of solving a crime when you’re investigating your own people.
Watch the Trailer
Get a first look at the tone, landscapes, and characters of The Island here:
A Strong British and Scottish Cast Behind the Mystery
Although created for the Gaelic-language public broadcaster BBC Alba, The Island draws on a solid ensemble of British and Scottish talent.
- Sorcha Groundsell plays Kat Crichton, the investigator who must reconcile her sense of duty with the emotional landmines of returning home.
- Sagar Radia portrays DCI Ahmed Halim, Kat’s superior, tasked with steering the investigation while managing both police politics and local sensitivities.
- Iain Macrae and Elspeth Turner embody key members of the Maclean family, whose personal histories and conflicting loyalties become central to understanding what really happened to Lady Mary.
Instead of relying solely on procedural beats, the series leans heavily into sibling relationships, generational clashes, and the weight of inherited responsibility. Each character is gradually forced to confront their role—direct or indirect—in the spiral of events that led to the crime.
Why “The Island” Stands Out in the European Crime Landscape
Created by Nicholas Osborne and co-written with Patsi Mackenzie, The Island is directed by Tom Sullivan and produced by Black Camel Pictures. What truly sets it apart from more conventional British crime dramas is its commitment to authenticity on several levels.
Scottish Gaelic as the Main Language
The series is primarily filmed in Scottish Gaelic, a bold choice for a crime show with international ambitions. For US audiences accustomed to English-language UK procedurals, The Island offers a different sonic and cultural texture—yet remains accessible thanks to dubbed and subtitled versions available along its distribution chain.
On-Location Filming in the Outer Hebrides
Production took place on the Isle of Harris itself, with standout scenes shot at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle. Rather than just using the scenery as a backdrop, the show treats the island as a full-fledged character: isolated, beautiful, and quietly menacing.
Visually, that means sweeping coastal views, rugged landscapes, and imposing stone architecture that amplify the sense of confinement and surveillance—everyone sees everything, and secrets are hard to keep.
An Ambitious Gaelic Production
With an estimated budget of about one million pounds per episode, The Island ranks among the most ambitious Gaelic-language productions to date. Initially broadcast in early 2025 on BBC Alba and later on BBC Four, the series was subsequently sold abroad, proving there is international appetite for niche, language-specific storytelling—especially when it’s wrapped in a gripping crime narrative.
The arrival of The Island on Polar+ opens the door for more viewers in France—and, via international visibility and streaming discussions, for US fans of British crime drama who like to seek out under-the-radar titles.
For Fans of Island Noir and Slow-Burn Crime
If you’re in the US and you enjoy shows like Broadchurch, Shetland, or Nordic noir series that explore the dark side of tight-knit communities, The Island should sit comfortably on your radar. It combines:
- A self-contained criminal investigation across four episodes
- A deep dive into family history and intergenerational trauma
- A strong sense of place shaped by geography, language, and culture
Rather than piling on endless twists, the miniseries focuses on how an isolated territory molds its inhabitants—and how a single act of violence can unravel not just a family, but an entire community’s story about itself.
Key Facts: When and Where to Watch, Episodes, and Language
For viewers tracking international releases and festival buzz, here are the essential details about The Island as it appears on Polar+:
- French premiere on Polar+: From January 3
- Number of episodes: Four episodes, each running roughly 47 to 51 minutes
- Primary language: Scottish Gaelic, with dubbed or subtitled versions available depending on territory
In other words, this is a compact, bingeable island thriller you can finish in a weekend, without committing to multiple seasons.
Why “The Island” Matters Right Now
In an entertainment landscape dominated by English-language content, The Island is a reminder that crime stories can be both familiar and radically different at the same time. The procedural framework is recognizable, but the language, location, and cultural stakes give it a distinctive edge.
For American crime drama fans who like to explore beyond mainstream streaming catalogs—and for anyone curious about Scottish culture beyond the usual clichés—this Gaelic mini-series offers a rare mix of accessibility and authenticity.
FAQ
When does “The Island” start airing on Polar+?
The Island is scheduled to air on Polar+ starting January 3, giving French viewers access to the series shortly after its initial UK runs on BBC Alba and BBC Four.
How many episodes are there and how long is the miniseries?
The show is a four-part miniseries. Each episode runs between 47 and 51 minutes, making it a concise, self-contained story you can comfortably watch over a weekend.
What language is “The Island” filmed in?
The series is filmed primarily in Scottish Gaelic. For international audiences, including those accustomed to English-language content, dubbed or subtitled versions are made available depending on local distribution deals.
Is “The Island” connected to other British crime series?
No, The Island is an original, standalone story created by Nicholas Osborne and co-written with Patsi Mackenzie. While it shares thematic DNA with other island or small-community crime dramas, it is not part of a franchise and does not require prior viewing of any other series.
