Long Bright River – Series Review | Peacock

LONG BRIGHT RIVER on Peacock is a new crime series with eight hour-long episodes. Amanda Seyfried stars in this very character-driven and Philadelphia-based series based on a book. Read our full Long Bright River series review here

LONG BRIGHT RIVER is a new Peacock Original series. This time, it’s a crime and thriller production about addicts who appear to have overdosed. However, one attentive police officer notices something is off.

Before the end of episode 1, it’s obvious that someone is killing these women living on the streets of Philadelphia. Yes, we’ve got a serial killer story on our hands. The series has eight hour-long episodes, and all have been released on the premiere day.

Continue reading our Long Bright River series review below. Find it on Peacock now.

Set in very dire (but realistic) circumstances

In Long Bright River, we follow police officer Michaela “Mickey” Fitzpatrick (Amanda Seyfried). She patrols a Philadelphia neighborhood that has been hit particularly hard by the opioid crisis.

It’s her own childhood neighborhood, so she recognizes that this area wasn’t always as rough and people weren’t as destitute as they are now. Addiction has taken away their ability to make good choices. That first choice to do drugs has determined their fate.

Maybe even sealed it?!

However, Mickey still sees the addicts as people (as do a few others working in the area), and she pays attention. So, when all other cops are quick to rule any and every death an OD, she looks closer at the victims.

A serial killer targets the most vulnerable

Paying attention is how Mickey – along with the coroner, Aura (Dead Ringers‘ Britne Oldford) – discovers that all these deceased women did not OD. In fact, it seems pretty obvious that they were murdered, given that their deaths all have the exact same reason.

Before long, Mickey must recognize that her personal history could be related to the case. Of course, the fact that her sister is missing and could be a victim makes this a priority case immediately.

Alongside Amanda Seyfried in the lead as Mickey, we have a wonderful cast. Some portray characters who highlight exactly how it’s possible for the serial killer to operate under the radar. Other characters are there to illustrate the collective power of a hurting community.

In the cast, you’ll see Nicholas Pinnock (Criminal) as Mickey’s former partner, Dash Mihok (Before I Wake) as her current partner, and Perry Mattfeld (Who Invited Them) as someone who knows her sister and also lives on the street.

Obviously, this series has many other characters, and I can’t list them all here. However, I also want to mention the young and amazing Callum Vinson (Chucky) as Mickey’s son, Thomas, and Harriet Sansom Harris (Werewolf by Night) as Mickey’s landlord.

Watch Long Bright River on Peacock now

Long Bright River is a Peacock Original limited series based on the book of the same name by Liz Moore. I have not read the book, but I must admit I just might add it to my list of books I need to check out.

The creators adapting the series are book author Liz Moore and writer Nikki Toscano (Hunters, Florida Man, Bates Motel). Both are also producers on the limited series, as are Amanda Seyfried and Amy Pascal (The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Ghostbusters, Venom 3)

Hagar Ben-Asher, Mona Fastvold (The Crowded Room), Meera Menon (Dirty John), and co-creator Nikki Toscana are all directing episodes in this limited series.

Watching Long Bright River isn’t exactly a feel-good experience – to be honest, crime thrillers rarely are – but it does cover very important issues. Not least, how people down on their luck (as addicts usually are) are regarded as worthless and their deaths ignored.

Obviously, there’s more to this story as it is a serial killer plot. However, it also manages to keep an intense focus on the real issues of being trapped by one’s own bad choices. In fact, “choice” is a key element of the story and should be relatable for all viewers in some way.

Long Bright River is on Peacock with all 8 episodes from March 13, 2025.

Details

Director: Hagar Ben-Asher
Writers: Liz Moore, Nikki Toscano
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Nicholas Pinnock, Ashleigh Cummings, Callum Vinson, John Doman, Dash Mihok, Britne Oldford, Matthew Del Negro, Harriet Sansom Harris, Patch Darragh, Joe Daru, Perry Mattfeld, Albert DiCesare