Netflix's latest gripping crime drama, Legends, features a Call the Midwife icon in a completely transformed role. Despite having only dropped last week, all six episodes of the series are currently available to stream on the platform, and it has steadily climbed to the top of the service's most-watched shows.
About the Series
Inspired by the book The Betrayer, co-written by Guy Stanton, the show charts the exploits of a group of HM Customs officers who go undercover to take on perilous drug gangs. Set during the 1990s towards the end of Margaret Thatcher's tenure as Prime Minister, the series follows a team of Customs workers who adopt an unconventional approach in their fight against the illegal drug trade, driven by mounting political pressure.
Cast and Characters
Steve Coogan stars as Don, a no-nonsense head of operations tasked with recruiting a team to go undercover. Former Call the Midwife star Charlotte Ritchie has transformed into customs officer Sophie, the wife of main character Guy (played by Tom Burke). Sophie works at Heathrow Airport and becomes involved in the dangerous world of 1990s gangland Britain alongside her husband.
The series also stars Hayley Squires from I, Daniel Blake, ITV's Victoria star Tom Hughes, Rustin actor Aml Ameen, Jasmine Blackborow from Netflix's The Gentleman, Douglas Hodge, Johnny Harris, Gerald Kyd, Numan Acar, Joshua Samuels, Kem Hassan, and Thomas Coombes.
Viewer Reactions
Legends viewers have already given their verdict on the new series, with one person writing on IMDB: "Awesome watch. So impressed with this show. And really impressed with Coogan's part in this." A second stated: "Outstanding! I was so impressed with this series, such a good watch," while another branded the show as "gripping."
Who Did Charlotte Ritchie Play in Call the Midwife?
Charlotte Ritchie joined Call the Midwife as Nurse Barbara in 2015 and remained on the show for four years. The death of Nurse Barbara Gilbert in series seven of the BBC period drama sent shockwaves through viewers as her tragic ending unfolded. The devoted midwife had been living in wedded bliss with Reverend Tom Hereward (Jack Ashton) when they returned to Poplar from spending time in Birmingham. After reprising her role as a midwife at Nonnatus House, Barbara came down with a cold. Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann) paid Barbara a visit, confirming she had blood poisoning from meningitis, and she was rushed to the hospital. Although Barbara showed signs of improvement, septicemia caused irreparable harm, as three of her fingers had tissue damage and consequently ended her career as a midwife. It suddenly became clear that Barbara wasn't going to recover, and she died with Tom and Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett) by her bedside in heartbreaking scenes.
Other Roles
Since leaving Call the Midwife, Charlotte has been no stranger to starring on the small screen with roles in some of television's most popular dramas. In 2019, she played Lin in Doctor Who before appearing as Iris Shepherd in Death in Paradise, Matilda in Drifters, DS Irene Ross in McDonald & Dodds, and DS Francis in Code of Silence. Between 2022 and 2024, Charlotte played Bonnie in Grantchester and Alison Cooper in Ghosts from 2019 until 2023. In 2023, she portrayed Barbara in the movie Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet.
Legends is available to stream on Netflix.
