A 'compelling' and 'ridiculously first rate' BBC crime drama has been lauded by fans and critics alike for its high production value, impressive acting performances, and the genuine mystery at its heart. It has even drawn comparisons to the mega-hit, Broadchurch.
Sherwood: A Must-Watch for Broadchurch Fans
The BBC is known and loved for its many top dramas, from beloved police drama Line of Duty, to the gritty crime favourite Happy Valley, and the enduringly popular, Benedict Cumberbatch-fronted, Sherlock. But one show is being praised as a must-watch for fans of Broadchurch. The show in question is the 2022 series, Sherwood.
Created and written by James Graham, the first season is made up of six episodes and centres on a Nottinghamshire mining village which is rocked by two shocking killings. It is very loosely based on true events, taking inspiration from the real-life murders of trade unionist Keith Frogson and hairdresser Chanel Taylor in July 2004.
Star-Studded Cast and Critical Acclaim
The series stars David Morrissey and Lesley Manville and, in the summer of 2024, a second series was released. A third series has been filmed but has not yet been released. Sherwood boasts a score of 96% on the popular review-aggregation website, Rotten Tomatoes where fans and critics alike have shared their praise.
One person wrote: 'Ridiculously first rate. Reminds me of the top notch gravitas of Broadchurch, same unimpeachably high production values and knockout writing and acting.' Another said: 'The richness of each character, scene and spoken word is several steps ahead of other shows. Each actor delivers a truth.'
A third shared: 'This has proven to be one of the best in its genre. What stands out and really the beauty of the show are the separate stories and character build. There are multiple story lines here....the question is will they ultimately intersect and connect to an event in 1984. Very well done.'
While a fourth agreed: 'An incredibly rich and believable series. And, unlike so many other TV mysteries, there's an actual mystery at the heart of this.' Someone else said: 'This series is an eye opener to the real world of political policing in the uk. A great series and a great watch. Not for people who aren't intelligent.'
International Recognition
Sherwood's success has even reached across the pond. A US-based fan said: 'SHERWOOD ranks as one of the best TV SERIES of all time, so far I've only placed three Series on that list: The Sopranos, Homeland, Succession and now the fourth - Sherwood. I can't find fault with anything except I'm waiting here in Washington DC for Season 3 to drop (obviously for a Yank like me, I hope it's available on Britbox, + Netflix, Hulu, etc.'
Critic James Croot added: 'Sherwood might just be the most compelling crime drama to come out of the UK since Broadchurch.'
Sherwood is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
