BBC crime drama Guilt has been hailed as a 'masterpiece' and 'the best TV has to offer,' with viewers comparing it to 'Breaking Bad.' The Scottish thriller, created by Neil Forsyth, follows two brothers involved in a fatal hit-and-run. All 12 episodes are available to stream free on BBC iPlayer.
Plot and Characters
The series centres on two very different brothers: wealthy lawyer Max (Mark Bonnar) and unassuming record shop owner Jake (Jamie Sives). While driving home from a wedding, they accidentally run over and kill an elderly man in Edinburgh. Instead of alerting the police, they choose to conceal the crime.
'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,' reads the official synopsis. '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 stellar 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 Guilt is primarily set in Edinburgh's Leith district, most filming took place in Glasgow and East Kilbride. Key filming locations include Charlotte Square and the Clydebank Docks.
Critical Acclaim
The series holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic branded the drama 'simply unmissable,' while another hailed it as 'a gift to Scottish drama.' The Guardian praised the plot as a 'rare thrill.'
Viewers have been equally enthusiastic. One IMDb user commented: '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.'
Another viewer remarked: '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 said: 'Great dark humour, starts off quite amusing and gets darker. Phenomenal show, sinister and well acted.' A fourth added: '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: 'Absolute masterclass. A superior and dark gem,' with another posting: 'Masterpiece. Best crime show I've seen.'
Availability
All 12 episodes of Guilt are currently available to stream free on BBC iPlayer, making it an ideal binge-watch for crime drama fans.
