BBC iPlayer viewers have been urged to watch the eight-part thriller He Had It Coming immediately. The Australian drama, starring British actress Lydia West, has been praised as "the best whodunnit in years" by Women's magazine Mamamia.
Plot and Cast
West, known for Channel 4's Big Mood, plays Elise, an awkward scholarship student who befriends influencer Barbara, portrayed by Liu Bordizzo. After a series of bad experiences with men, the pair deface a statue of their university's male founder during a drunken night, intending to make a political statement. Their act takes a dark turn when the university's star athlete is found dead at the statue's foot, implicating them in a murder investigation.
As detectives hunt for the killer, the girls must sever all ties to the crime. The synopsis teases: "Bad feminists, worse detectives. Two unlikely uni friends are dumped into a murder mystery when their drunken protest is hijacked by a killer. Dark, chaotic comedy with Lydia West."
Critical Acclaim
Although UK viewers are new to the series, He Had It Coming premiered in Australia last year to positive reviews. Mamamia's review stated: "He Had It Coming is the rare show that delivers a fast-paced, twist-filled, genuine murder mystery while simultaneously offering sharp, funny, and utterly unforgettable social commentary on modern gender politics." The review added: "If you're a fan of satirical campus thrillers like Scream Queens but with a bit of social bite, you need to watch this immediately."
Nick Lee, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, praised the show: "He Had It Coming is a fun, pacey campus whodunnit with a vibrant poke into gender politics. It's deliciously dark, comic and has a very bingeable vibe." An IMDb user added: "Great binge series. Keeps you keen and interested. Has lots of twists and turns and thrilling entertainment. However, the worst thing ever is the series ending on a cliffhanger where who knows if there's going to be a season two?"
Availability
The drama has yet to be renewed for a second series. He Had It Coming is streaming on BBC iPlayer and will start airing on BBC Three at 11.15pm on Friday, August 14.
