Fans of brilliant cop dramas like Line of Duty, Blue Lights, and Vigil are in for a treat, as a little-known hidden gem is captivating viewers across the globe. Audiences are labelling the police procedural a 'masterpiece,' and glowing reviews are just one of the many things attracting viewers to the underrated series. An Irish-Belgian-Canadian joint production, the crime drama has seriously impressed critics and audiences alike, with viewers calling the drama a '15/10 must-watch series.'
Hidden Assets: A Crime Drama Masterpiece
Created for television by Peter McKenna, Hidden Assets has viewers in a chokehold. Directed by Emmy-nominated Thaddeus O'Sullivan, Kadir Ferati Balci, and Mia Mullarkey, the series first hit airwaves in November 2021 on RTÉ One and is a spinoff of another crime drama — Acceptable Risk. Starring Nora-Jane Noone, Aaron Monaghan, Cathy Belton, Simone Kirby, Wouter Hendrickx, Kwaku Fortune, Gilles De Schryver and Charlie Carrick, the show has been lauded for the brilliant performances by its cast.
Plot and Critical Acclaim
The official plot of the series states: 'When evidence from a raid links a small-time drug dealer to a series of bombings in Belgium, Irish detective Emer Berry heads to Antwerp, where she's confronted by Christian de Jong of the anti-terrorism squad. Together, they begin to untangle an international conspiracy involving drugs, terrorism, and corrupt business and political leaders.' The series has garnered glowing praise across the board, with one critic writing: 'A first-rate Irish crime drama series with Scandi-noir twists.' While another reviewer said: 'Hidden Assets is all about the conspiracy at the center of the first season, and we see signs from the first moments that it'll be twisty and keep our interest, even if there isn't a ton of character development.'
Viewer Reactions
An IMDB user review of the series added: 'This is AMAZING! Fifteen out of 10! So very much to recommend. I do not even know how to start.' While one viewer compared it to Blue Lights and said: 'Brilliant Irish police thriller so much better than the BBC's Northern Irish attempt, Blue Lights (a second rate soap opera with third rate actors) on a par with ITV's rebooted Van der Valk. Don't miss it.' Another fan compared it to the Holy Grail of crime-dramas — Line of Duty and Vigil: 'Cleverly-plotted organised crime thriller is a hit. It offers a gripping and insightful window into organised crime that will appeal to fans of Line of Duty, Vigil and similar shows.' Another review on IMDB reads: 'WOW. The absolute best ever!! Please, please whoever wrote, produced or directed this absolute masterpiece deserves Academy Awards, as do all the actors. Please let's have more?' While one fan commented: 'Brilliant acting and writing. Fantastic! Excellent police-style drama with great acting and superbly written. Normally I am harsh said these types of dramas as I find most of them cookie-cutter made. THIS is how a police drama should be written and presented. Decidedly one of the best I have seen in MANY years. VERY highly recommended.'
Hidden Assets is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
