The BBC crime drama Guilt has been hailed by fans as a 'masterpiece' and 'one of the best' shows they have ever seen. The Scottish thriller, created by Neil Forsyth, follows two brothers involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Edinburgh. All 12 episodes are currently available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
What Is 'Guilt' About?
The series centres on Max (Mark Bonnar), a high-flying lawyer, and his laid-back brother Jake (Jamie Sives), a record shop owner. After accidentally killing an elderly man while driving home from a wedding, the brothers decide to cover up the incident. Max attempts to make the death appear natural, but their lives unravel as the deceased's relatives and suspicious neighbours begin asking questions. The brothers must navigate shifting loyalties and betrayals, trusting no one—not even each other.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Guilt holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it 'simply unmissable' and 'a rare thrill'. One IMDb user wrote: 'I knew it would be good when I saw the cast, but it excelled at every viewer touchpoint. Over the 12 episodes it grew and grew and the characters just exploded with acting professionalism.' Another viewer enthused: 'This mini-series is stellar perfection. Without a doubt one of the best I've seen in a long time. It's clever, witty, dark and heartwarming, all in one neat package.'
A third fan commented: 'Great dark humour, starts off quite amusing and gets darker. Phenomenal show, sinister and well acted.' Another compared it to Breaking Bad, calling it 'Dark, intriguing, compelling, brilliantly acted.' One viewer simply stated: 'Masterpiece. Best crime show I've seen.'
Cast and Production
The ensemble cast includes Emun Elliott, Ruth Bradley, Bill Paterson, Stuart Bowman, Phyllis Logan, Ellie Haddington, Sara Vickers, Greg McHugh, Henry Pettigrew, Stewart Porter, Sian Brooke, and Angus Miller. While the story is set in Edinburgh's Leith district, most filming took place in Glasgow and East Kilbride, including locations such as Charlotte Square and the Clydebank Docks.
The first series aired in 2019, followed by a second in 2021, and a third and final series in 2023. The show has become a critical triumph with a worldwide audience.
