Netflix has quietly added the ITV crime drama Prey to its UK library, and the show is already climbing the most-watched rankings. The series, which originally aired in 2014, stars acting legends John Simm and Philip Glenister, making it a must-watch for fans of Broadchurch, Prime Suspect, and Line of Duty.
BAFTA-Nominated Mini-Series
The first series of Prey launched on 28 April 2014 on ITV, with a second series commissioned in April 2015 and airing in December that year. Each series consists of three episodes, each lasting approximately 45 minutes, giving it a mini-series structure. The show earned a BAFTA Television Award nomination in the 'Mini Series' category in 2015.
Rosie Cavaliero plays DS Susan Reinhart, the only main character appearing across both series. The first series' lead is John Simm (Grace, Doctor Who, Life on Mars), while Philip Glenister (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) takes the principal role in the second series. The cast also includes Anastasia Hille, Craig Parkinson, Benedict Wong, MyAnna Buring, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Ralph Ineson, and Daniel Jillings.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
For his portrayal of DC Marcus Farrow in the first series, John Simm won a Royal Television Society North West Award for 'Best Male Performance'. The show holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic described it as "a near perfect blend of well-crafted characterizations within the context of a credibly gripping murder case." Another noted: "Despite its familiar premise, Prey is an engrossing, dynamic series, a testament to the sturdiness of the tropes it's driven by."
Audiences have also praised the series. One IMDb reviewer wrote: "BRITS DO IT BEST... The Brits just seem to have the formula for these types of series..always spot on..better than anything on American and Canadian TV." Another added: "Gripping ITV drama. ITV have made quite a few solid crime dramas recently and this series is among the better ones."
Plot Synopsis
The official synopsis reads: "In the aftermath of her marriage, Detective Sergeant Susan Reinhardt puts long hours into her job as she struggles to cope with her inner demons while fighting to unravel the truth by taking on two intense cases. Both cases appear to involve corruption by U.K. law enforcement officials." In the first series, she pursues DC Marcus Farrow, wanted for the murder of his wife and son. In the second, prison officer Dave Murdoch's pregnant daughter is kidnapped, and he must help an inmate escape to secure her release.
Prey is available to stream on Netflix now.
