The 2012 ITV drama Leaving, starring Helen McCrory and Callum Turner, has climbed into Netflix's top 10, with viewers calling it a 'hidden gem'.
The three-part series, which originally aired on ITV1 to tepid reviews, centres on Julie (McCrory), the bossy catering and events manager at a countryside hotel, and Aaron (Turner), a posh twentysomething who lands a job there after failing to find work since university.
Julie, who power dresses in bodycons and black stilettos, is married with two teenage children. Aaron, still living with his parents, is the brother of the groom and ex-boyfriend of the bride at one of the weddings she organises.
Workplace tension and a kiss
Their relationship builds through simmering workplace tension, with Julie taken by Aaron's commitment to the job and faintly jealous of his fellow wait staff, who are smitten with him. By the end of the first episode, they share a kiss.
The series draws clear inspiration from The Graduate and Educating Rita, though Julie is too confused and taken aback by the romance to come off as a seductive Mrs Robinson type. Instead, it is Aaron who sort of seduces her.
Viewer praise and ratings
The show has a rating of 7/10 on IMDb, with some viewers praising it as 'unexpectedly good'. One review, from @fntrcffn, said: 'Was a bit initially unsure but honestly it's such a find! Slightly sad to see Helen on the screen but good to see some of Callum Turner's early work!! Well worth a little binge on a rainy afternoon!!'
@lloyd150 described it as 'a little gem' discovered late one evening, adding: 'It could have been better, but the main actors were first class and portrayed their roles very well.' Another review from @geewhiz46 pinpointed a weak ending.
McCrory died in 2021 at the age of 52 after a cancer diagnosis. Turner, who appears very young in the series, demonstrates some of the charm that might clinch him the James Bond role.
Leaving is available to stream on Netflix.
