Line of Duty fans are flocking to Netflix to binge-watch Bodyguard, a political thriller crime drama from the creator of Line of Duty, Jed Mercurio. Originally aired on BBC One in 2018, the six-part limited series has achieved a near-perfect 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and garnered widespread critical acclaim.
Plot and Cast
Bodyguard follows Police Sergeant David Budd, a British Army combat veteran struggling with PTSD, who joins the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. He is assigned to protect Home Secretary Julia Montague, a controversial politician with plans to introduce invasive surveillance powers. The official synopsis describes Budd as "torn between his beliefs and his duty to protect."
Richard Madden delivers a standout performance as David Budd, earning him the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Television Series Drama. The ensemble cast includes Sophie Rundle, Keeley Hawes, Ash Tandon, Vincent Franklin, Gina McKee, Pippa Haywood, Paul Ready, Nicholas Gleaves, Matthew Stagg, and Bella Padden.
Critical and Audience Reception
The series received two Golden Globe nominations (Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor) and two Primetime Emmy nominations (Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series). It achieved the highest viewing figures for a new BBC drama in the multichannel era and the largest BBC audience since 2008.
Critics have praised the show as "one of those rare shows that will have you hooked to the screen from the very first scene to the last." Another reviewer called it "a taut limited series from the UK that will curl your hair; it is INTENSE." Audience responses have been equally enthusiastic, with one viewer labeling it "a rare gem in today's cinematic apocalypse" and another stating, "Phenomenal intense thriller with a fast pace intelligent script."
Why Watch on Netflix
Bodyguard is now streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a chance to experience "six hours of a magnificent police drama" that one IMDB reviewer described as an "edge of your seat thriller" that kept them "on the edge of your seat throughout the entire season." Another fan noted, "Best show I've seen in years! Really hoping for a season two."
