The BBC crime thriller Guilt is a must-watch this summer. All 12 episodes are available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer. The show has a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and has been praised as a 'phenomenal' and 'unmissable' drama.
What Is 'Guilt' About?
Guilt is a Scottish production written and developed by Neil Forsyth. The first series launched in 2019, with a second in 2021 and a concluding third series in 2023. The programme has achieved critical acclaim and been broadcast internationally.
The 'pitch-black, twist-filled' thriller centres on two contrasting brothers: affluent solicitor Max (Mark Bonnar) and modest record shop proprietor Jake (Jamie Sives). While driving home from a wedding in Edinburgh, they accidentally run over and kill an elderly gentleman. Rather than contacting the authorities, they choose to conceal their crime.
According to the official synopsis: 'After convincing Jake to help him conceal the fatal hit-and-run, Max attempts to make the death look like it happened from natural causes. However, the brothers' lives quickly begin to unravel when the deceased man's relatives and suspicious neighbours start asking questions. As they try to stay one step ahead of the law and local gangsters, the duo is forced to navigate shifting loyalties and betrayals, proving they can trust no one - not even each other.'
Cast and Production
The ensemble cast also features 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. Though Guilt predominantly unfolds in Edinburgh's Leith district, the majority of production occurred across Glasgow and East Kilbride. Key shooting locations include Charlotte Square and the Clydebank Docks.
Critical and Audience Reception
The programme holds an exceptional 93% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer branded the drama as 'simply unmissable'. Another critic hailed it as 'a gift to Scottish drama', while The Guardian praised the storyline as a 'rare thrill'.
Viewers appear equally enthusiastic. One IMDb contributor stated: '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. The cast melded the story into one intensely watchable series that is up there with the best that TV has to offer.'
A further comment read: '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. Bravo to BBC Scotland on this one. Such a shame that it's so underrated.'
A third viewer remarked: 'Great dark humour, starts off quite amusing and gets darker. Phenomenal show, sinister and well acted,' while another enthused: 'Like a Scottish version of Breaking Bad! Dark, intriguing, compelling, brilliantly acted. You never know where it's going till it's got there. Love it!'
A fifth viewer concurred, commenting: 'Absolute masterclass. A superior and dark gem,' with yet another adding: 'Masterpiece. Best crime show I've seen.'
