Viewers have branded the six-part Scottish thriller The Rig a 10/10, with many admitting to binge-watching the entire series in one sitting. The show, which first aired in 2023, has been hailed as "gripping" by fans who found themselves glued to the screen from the first episode.
Plot and Setting
Set aboard the fictional Kishorn Bravo oil rig in the North Sea, The Rig follows a crew whose journey back to the mainland takes an unexpected turn. Their journey turns sinister when a mysterious fog rolls in, cutting them off from the outside world. With communications down and no way to know what is happening beyond the rig, the crew is left to face the frightening situation alone.
As tensions rise, loyalties are tested and old divisions surface, they find themselves face to face with something far beyond their understanding. The official synopsis reads: "When the crew are due to return to the mainland, a mysterious and all-enveloping fog rolls through and they find themselves cut off from all communication with the shore and the outside world." It continues: "As they endeavour to discover what's driving this force, bonds are broken, allegiances formed and generational fault lines exposed."
Cast and Reception
The drama is full of suspense, but it's the performances from the cast that have caught the attention of viewers. The cast features some familiar Scottish faces, including Martin Compston, Iain Glen and Mark Bonnar, as well as Welsh actor Owen Teale and Canadian actress Emily Hampshire. The first season aired on Prime Video in January 2023, with the second following in January 2025.
Across the six episodes, the series combines the claustrophobic setting of an offshore rig with supernatural elements that become unsettling as the drama unfolds. Many viewers have taken to the review site IMDb, praising the cast and hailing The Rig as "gripping". Giving it 10 stars, one viewer stated: "Honestly... Excellent!!! I was on the edge of my seat through each episode. Some tiny parts a little cheesy, but the acting from most of the actors were so believable I felt as if I was in the programme and on the rig myself. Honestly, fantastic!!"
Viewer Reactions
Another viewer was impressed by the writing and the bigger questions raised by the story, describing it as a "cleverly written, suspenseful program". They added: "It truly makes you sit back and take stock, as an individual and us as a species!! I really really enjoyed it! The cast are amazing, you are there, in it with them."
The series has also proved difficult for some viewers to stop watching once they get started. One viewer admitted: "I tried not to like it but ended up binging 3 episodes in one sitting." Singling out three actors, they continued: "Thrilling and good acting throughout. Martin Compston, Iain Glen and Owen Teale are excellent. Lots of cliff hangers and sequences that leave you wanting more."
Season one and two of The Rig is available to stream on Prime Video.
