Marcella series three first look trailer sees Anna Friel go undercover as she investigates infamous crime family

THE first look trailer for series three of Marcella sees Anna Friel go undercover as she investigates an infamous crime family.

Following on from the dramatic conclusion of the previous series, the new eight-parter sees Marcella (Anna) in Belfast as an undercover detective.

She has taken on a new identity, Keira – complete with blonde hair – and has infiltrated the infamous Maguire crime family.

But as she investigates their activities, questions come to the fore about how much she’s embraced the Keira personality and left Marcella behind.

In true Marcella style, the series has interweaving storylines with strands focusing upon the Maguires’ criminal operations, and the trailer gives a hint of what fans can expect.

As she inhabits the character of Keira, Marcella’s quest for the truth puts her in danger and others in harm’s way.

Her undercover role makes her take risks, but will her old life eventually catch up with her?

An array of new cast members are welcomed to the series including Amanda Burton who takes on the role of Katherine, the matriarch of the Maguire family and Aaron McCusker plays her son, Finn Maguire.

Meanwhile Hugo Speer, who made a brief appearance in the final scenes of series two, reprises his role as Frank Young, Marcella’s undercover handler.

Marcella is certainly an intense role to play if the trailer is anything to go by, and Anna previously revealed she almost backed out of playing her.

She told Radio Times: “I nearly pulled out of it after I’d accepted it because I just thought, ‘Oh God, how can I do this? There are so many amazing female detectives that have done it so well, I don’t know what I can offer differently.’

“I had to really work hard on that, so when it was received as well as it was, I thought maybe I had done something that is different and I’ve put my own ownership and my own stamp on it.”

Series three of Marcella will air on ITV next year.