Crime drama enthusiasts are raving about the Netflix limited series Collateral, with many claiming it surpasses acclaimed shows like Luther and The Fall in engagement and binge-worthiness. The four-part police procedural has captivated audiences since its release.
A Gripping Police Procedural
Created and written by David Hare, Collateral marks his first original series for television. Directed by SJ Clarkson, it first aired on BBC Two in February 2018 and was quickly picked up by Netflix for a global release the following month.
The show stars three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan as Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie, alongside Billie Piper, John Simm, Nathaniel Martello-White, Jeany Spark, Nicola Walker, Kim Medcalf, Nick Mohammed, and Hayley Squires. The ensemble cast has been widely praised for their performances.
Plot and Accolades
The official plot synopsis reads: “Investigating the murder of a pizza delivery man, a London detective uncovers a tangled conspiracy involving drug dealers, smugglers and spies.”
Collateral received two BAFTA Television Award nominations: Best Photography & Lighting: Fiction and a Best Supporting Actress nod for Billie Piper.
Audience and Critic Reactions
Critics have lauded the series, with one writing: “Collateral felt believable and exciting.” Another noted: “It's a smart and solid miniseries, particularly for those who don't already watch a lot of bleak British detective shows and can still be surprised by how everything in London seems connected.”
A third critic remarked: “It's a tangled web of individuals and motivations, and while some may find this all a bit too heavy on coincidence, there's no question that Collateral is a gripping procedural.”
Viewers have been equally enthusiastic. One Rotten Tomatoes user posted: “Superb. Everything you want a modern thriller series to be. And limited too! Carry Mulligan is faultless.” Another fan compared it to other shows: “I've just watched this after watching and attempting to watch a number of other police/crime dramas over the preceding weeks (The Fall, The Bay, The Undoing) and I'd say this was probably the best of them, certainly way better than The Bridge, of which I watched 2 episodes before giving up; Marcella, which I gave up on after one episode and Luther which I gave up on after 20 minutes.”
An IMDB review echoed the sentiment: “It has been a while since I have thoroughly enjoyed a TV series as much as I did Collateral. First off, the acting was superb. Carey Mulligan and Jeany Spark proved to be talented actors and so did Nathaniel who was a joy to watch, not only with his good looks but giving the audience the feel of a true, dashing detective. Secondly, the writing was very good and kept me wanting more without getting bored. In fact, there was so much action, one would find it difficult to move away even for a minute!”
Another viewer highlighted its broad appeal: “Some of the greatest writing and complex storylines I have seen in years. WOW, what an excellent 4-Part series-with a killer soundtrack as well. Collateral has something for everybody: It's a murder mystery, It's a political drama, It's a spy thriller. As you follow this very complex tale you cannot help but feel the intrigue and tension build. It is a tremendous shame the British Academy Television Awards only saw fit to give Collateral only 2 nominations. Collateral is a must watch for everyone in 2019.”
Collateral is available to stream on Netflix.
