Payback, a six-part crime thriller set in Edinburgh, is available to stream for free on ITVX. The series, first aired in 2023, follows a mum-of-two whose life is thrown into chaos after her husband is killed in a seemingly random attack.
Plot and cast
The drama was created by Debbie O'Malley and executive produced by Jed Mercurio, known for Line of Duty. It stars Morven Christie as Lexie Noble, a stay-at-home mum with a seemingly perfect family life in the suburbs of Edinburgh with her husband Jared and their two children.
Lexie has spent years at home looking after her daughter, now six, and is preparing to return to work at the accountancy firm she shares with Jared. However, her life begins to unravel when Jared is suddenly murdered.
Hidden secrets and danger
Lexie does not know that her husband had secretly been laundering huge sums of money for crime lord Cal Morris, played by Peter Mullan. Jared's activities had also caught the attention of financial investigators DC Jibran Khan, played by Prasanna Puwanarajah, and DCI Adam Guthrie, played by Derek Riddell.
With Jared dead, Lexie becomes caught in the middle of the police investigation as officers attempt to bring Cal to justice. The crime boss soon forces Lexie into working for him, leaving her trapped between Cal and the police. Over the six episodes, Lexie is forced to tread a dangerous line while trying to protect herself and her family.
Critical and viewer praise
Payback has received praise from critics and viewers, with many calling it a "must watch" series. The Guardian wrote: "Every actor in this gangland drama oozes quality." One viewer on IMDb described it as a "gripping thriller, great storyline, wonderful cast and fabulous scenes in Glasgow and Edinburgh showing some beautiful buildings". Another branded it a "must-watch", adding: "If you're looking for a crime thriller that abandons cheap gimmicks in favor of razor-sharp writing, unrelenting tension, and exceptional performances, Payback is an absolute must-watch." A third praised the show's twists, writing: "Well it blew me away. The script is fantastic with original twists and turns with none of it predictable as can be the case with some crime thrillers. Congrats to the script writer/s."
Payback is available to stream for free on ITVX now.
