Bodyguard: The Political Thriller That Took the World by Storm
If you are a fan of Line of Duty, the gripping political thriller Bodyguard is now streaming on Netflix and earning rave reviews with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Written and created by Jed Mercurio, the six-part limited series first aired on BBC One in 2018 and quickly became a global sensation.
From the moment the series debuted, glowing reviews flooded in from around the world, celebrating the programme's compelling storyline and exceptional writing, its nail-biting, pulse-pounding sequences, and the cast, most notably the riveting central performance. Remarkably, it achieved the highest viewing figures for a new BBC drama in the 'multichannel era', while also recording the largest BBC audience since 2008.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Recognition
The series garnered thoroughly deserved recognition and critical acclaim, receiving two Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy nominations. Richard Madden delivers a truly memorable turn in the central role of Police Sergeant David Budd, supported by an outstanding ensemble cast comprising Sophie Rundle, Keeley Hawes, Ash Tandon, Vincent Franklin, Gina McKee, Pippa Haywood, Paul Ready, Nicholas Gleaves, Matthew Stagg and Bella Padden. Madden's portrayal proved so remarkably compelling that it secured him the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.
The programme also received nominations for Best Television Series – Drama at the Golden Globes, alongside Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series at the Emmys.
Plot: A War Veteran Torn Between Duty and Beliefs
Bodyguard revolves around the fictional Police Sergeant David Budd, a British Army combat veteran struggling with PTSD, who goes on to join the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. The official synopsis reads: "War veteran David Budd finds work as a police sergeant with London's Metropolitan Police Service, in the Royalty and Specialist Protection branch. He is assigned to protect the home secretary, the Rt. Hon. Julia Montague MP, a controversial and ambitious politician who is described as 'the sociopath' by one of her aides, and who has plans to introduce invasive new surveillance powers for security forces. Finding himself increasingly at odds with Montague's policies and personality, and dealing with physical and psychological scars from his time serving in Afghanistan, volatile Budd is torn between his beliefs and his duty to protect."
Rave Reviews from Critics and Audiences
Boasting a near-perfect 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Bodyguard has garnered widespread recognition as outstanding television. One reviewer said: "One of those rare shows that will have you hooked to the screen from the very first scene to the last." Another critic championed the police drama, adding: "This has been a brilliant, compulsive, five-star mind trip of a series," while a further review noted: "A taut limited series from the UK that will curl your hair; it is INTENSE. If you haven't seen it, hold a day to devote to six full length episodes on Netflix and expect to be deeply spooked."
One review simply described it as "six hours of a magnificent police drama", with another writing: "Pure, can't-take-your-eyes away entertainment that's bound to have you saying 'just one more episode before bed.' This is sterling television, a well-crafted crime thriller, which is what the BBC does best."
Audience reactions have been equally enthusiastic. One viewer described it as "A rare gem in today's cinematic apocalypse." Another wrote: "Phenomenal intense thriller with a fast pace intelligent script, flawless direction and a brilliant gritty performance from Richard Madden. Every episode is riveting."
Viewer Testimonials on IMDb
One IMDb reviewer offered a glowing verdict: "Edge of your seat thriller! Bodyguard actually surprised me by how good it was. It was so good I binged all six episodes in a day. If anyone was worried if Richard Madden could star and carry a series they shouldn't be anymore. He was great in this and I'm sure it will lead to even bigger things for him. What follows is an action packed thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire season."
Another IMDb critic added: "Absolutely gripping! This show was a roller coaster from the beginning till the end. Great characters, superb acting, and most of all, the storyline was awesome, with twists and turns that you wouldn't expect. Best show I've seen in years! Really hoping for a season two."
A further reviewer said: "Superior on all accounts. When you start watching a series and it grabs your attention since its early minutes, intensity and nail-biting thrill reaching a powerful crescendo in its first twenty minutes, you can be pretty sure that you have a valuable gem before your eyes and Bodyguard doesn't disappoint a bit in that and continuously keeps viewers' expectations high with quality after quality."
Bodyguard is streaming now on Netflix.
