The Tower (2021)
A gripping British crime drama following DS Sarah Collins as she unravels the dark truth behind mysterious deaths at a south-east London tower block.
The Tower - Series Information
- Original Title: The Tower
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Created by: Patrick Harbinson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (46 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 11
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 8, 2021 (United States - TV-14), November 8, 2021 (United Kingdom - 15)
- Networks: ITV1, BritBox
- Alternative Titles: The Tower (PL)
- Production Companies: Mammoth Screen, Windhover Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Tower - Plot
A veteran beat cop and teenage girl fall to their deaths from a tower block in south-east London, leaving a five-year-old boy and rookie police officer Lizzie Griffiths on the roof, only for them to go missing. Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins is drafted in to investigate, working to find Lizzie before she comes to serious harm, but also to uncover the truth behind the grisly tower block deaths.
The Tower - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at the mystery unfolding in south-east London.
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The Tower - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Patrick Harbinson
Main Cast
- Gemma Whelan
- Tahirah Sharif
- Jimmy Akingbola
- Emmett J. Scanlan
- Michael Karim
- Laurie Delaney
- Bobby Lockwood
- Ella Smith
- Karl Davies
- Robin Morrissey
Writers
- Patrick Harbinson
The Tower - FAQs
Is The Tower based on a true story?
The Tower is not based on a single true story, but it draws on the gritty realities of urban policing in London. The series is adapted from Kate London's novels — Post Mortem, Death Message, and Gallowstree Lane — which blend fictional crime plots with authentic procedural detail rooted in the author's own experience as a Metropolitan Police officer.
What happens to PC Lizzie Griffiths in The Tower?
At the heart of the first series, rookie officer Lizzie Griffiths vanishes from a rooftop after two people fall to their deaths from a south-east London tower block. Her disappearance — alongside a five-year-old boy — drives DS Sarah Collins' investigation, making Lizzie's fate the central mystery that sets the entire show in motion.
Who plays DS Sarah Collins in The Tower?
DS Sarah Collins is played by Gemma Whelan, best known for her role as Yara Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. Whelan brings quiet intensity and moral determination to Collins, anchoring the series with a performance that earned the character a loyal following across all three seasons of the show.
Where can you stream The Tower?
The Tower is available to stream on BritBox, including via the BritBox Apple TV Channel and BritBox Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own episodes, they are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary depending on your region.
How many seasons and episodes does The Tower have?
The Tower ran for three seasons and 11 episodes in total. Season 1 (Post Mortem) has 3 episodes, Season 2 (Death Message) has 4 episodes, and Season 3 (Gallowstree Lane) has 4 episodes. Each season adapts one of Kate London's novels, giving every story arc a self-contained yet connected feel.
Was The Tower cancelled or did it end naturally?
The Tower was cancelled after its third season, Gallowstree Lane, which aired in 2024. While the show had built a dedicated audience on ITV1 and BritBox, ITV chose not to commission a fourth series. Kate London's source novels continue beyond the adapted material, leaving further story potential unexplored on screen.
How was The Tower received by critics?
The Tower earned solid critical praise for its atmospheric tension, strong ensemble performances, and morally complex storytelling. Gemma Whelan's portrayal of DS Sarah Collins was frequently singled out as a highlight. Reviewers appreciated the show's grounded, character-driven approach to British crime drama, distinguishing it from more formulaic procedurals on British television.
What are similar shows to The Tower?
If The Tower appeals to you, try Vigil, a gripping British thriller set aboard a nuclear submarine, or Bancroft, another morally layered British crime drama. Hidden Assets and Five Days offer similarly tense, character-focused investigative storytelling. All share The Tower's commitment to complex female leads and slow-burn procedural tension.
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