16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Martin Compston's 'terrific mystery' series now free to stream
The thriller is based on the book by Dorothy Koomson and follows two estranged friends who are reunited 17 years after being accused of murdering their schoolteacher
Line of Duty aficionados are in for a surprise as ITVX has added a lesser-known series featuring Martin Compston to its streaming service.
The drama, which stars Jodhi May from Dune Prophecy and Spooks' Lorraine Burroughs, is adapted from Dorothy Koomson's novel.
It tells the tale of two former friends who come back together after 17 years, having once been accused of killing their schoolteacher (portrayed by Compston) during their teenage years.
The series in question is The Ice Cream Girls, which at the time of its original airing was hailed by viewers as "a terrific mystery".
A fan commented on IMDb: "You will be entertained and gripped until the surprising conclusion."
This short series consists of only three episodes, allowing UK viewers to binge-watch it for free, albeit with advertisements.
Another viewer rated it highly with 9 out of 10 stars, stating: "I have to admit I didn't read the book and I can't make a parallel between it and the series but maybe I don't have to."
They continued: "This was another perspective of the Ice Cream Girls story and it can be appreciated even if you haven't read the book.
"I didn't expect the ending and as I have understood it is different from the book, but I have really enjoyed it."
The show garnered impressive ratings, with its premiere episode attracting 5.53 million viewers.
Shot in Bray, County Wicklow, the location stands in for the seaside city of Brighton.
Georgina Campbell and Holli Dempsey star as the younger versions of Serena Gorringe and Poppy Carlisle, the duo implicated in the murder.
Sam Wollaston from The Guardian shared his thoughts on the premiere, remarking: "There's an obviousness to it. An ITV drama-ness about it. It's so consciously trying to be a psychological thriller, not just your bog-standard thriller."
He continued, expressing his commitment despite reservations: "I'll watch the rest, because it's enthralling enough for me to want to know what happens, or rather what happened. But I won't be lying awake at night thinking about it."
The gripping series, The Ice Cream Girls, is currently available for streaming on ITVX.
