The 2012 ITV drama Leaving, starring the late Helen McCrory and Callum Turner, has soared into the Netflix charts, with viewers hailing it as an “utterly absorbing” watch.
The three-part series originally debuted 13 years ago and has now begun grabbing fans’ attention on the streaming platform.
Cast and plot
McCrory, who played Polly Gray in the first five seasons of Peaky Blinders, leads the cast. She is joined by Masters of the Air star Callum Turner.
Leaving revolves around 45-year-old wife Julie Ranmore, whose job as a hotel events manager keeps her from thinking too much about her loveless marriage. Things change when she is introduced to unemployed 21-year-old Aaron, who is still living with his parents.
They start working at the same hotel, and what begins as a flirtationship escalates into a full-blown affair, with the couple having to deal with the consequences.
Viewer praise
On IMDb, one viewer simply described the show as a “little gem”. Another said it was “utterly absorbing”, adding: “Brilliantly acted, often tense and heartbreaking, this is an outstanding drama…the late Helen McCrory gives an unforgettable performance.”
Another labelled it as “maddening all the right ways”, with others hailing it as perfect for a “little binge on a rainy afternoon”.
McCrory’s legacy
McCrory died of breast cancer in 2021 at the age of 52, keeping her illness private and only telling those closest to her. She died ahead of the sixth series of Peaky Blinders being filmed, which was postponed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Her husband, Homeland star Damian Lewis, said at the time she had a “heroic battle with cancer”, stating that she was a “beautiful and mighty woman”. He added: “She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and we know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives.”
Leaving is available to watch on Netflix.
