Fans of Line of Duty are flocking to Netflix for Bodyguard, a political thriller crime drama from creator Jed Mercurio. First broadcast on BBC One in 2018, the six-part limited series has been hailed by critics as a 'rare gem' and 'pure, can't-take-your-eyes away entertainment'.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Bodyguard achieved the highest viewing figures for a new BBC drama in the 'multichannel era' and recorded the largest BBC audience since 2008. It earned two Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy nominations, with star Richard Madden winning the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Television Series Drama. The show holds a near-perfect 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
One critic described it as 'one of those rare shows that will have you hooked to the screen from the very first scene to the last.' Another called it 'a brilliant, compulsive, five-star mind trip of a series,' while a third said it is 'a taut limited series from the UK that will curl your hair; it is INTENSE.'
Plot and Cast
Bodyguard centres on Police Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden), a British Army combat veteran battling PTSD who joins the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. He is assigned to protect Home Secretary Julia Montague MP (Keeley Hawes), a controversial politician described as 'the sociopath' by an aide. The official synopsis notes that Budd is 'torn between his beliefs and his duty to protect' as he deals with physical and psychological scars from Afghanistan.
The supporting cast includes Sophie Rundle, Ash Tandon, Vincent Franklin, Gina McKee, Pippa Haywood, Paul Ready, Nicholas Gleaves, Matthew Stagg, and Bella Padden.
Viewer Reactions
Audience reviews have been equally positive. One IMDB user wrote: '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.' Another added: 'Absolutely gripping! This show was a roller coaster from the beginning till the end. Best show I've seen in years!' A third viewer called it 'a rare gem in today's cinematic apocalypse.'
Bodyguard is available to stream on Netflix now.
