Stephen King has recommended a Netflix spy thriller series that boasts nearly perfect ratings. Although he is primarily known for his contributions to the horror genre, King frequently shares his personal recommendations for TV shows and movies.
In the past, he has praised a series for its smart take on a horror classic and another for being an addictive police drama.
Now, there’s a Netflix series he describes as ‘a breath of fresh air’ that might not have caught your attention yet.
The action drama, spanning two seasons, has not only achieved impressive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes but has also been watched for approximately 80 million hours, as per FlixPatrol.
The plot centers on disgraced Stasi assassin Kleo Straub (played by Jella Haase) who sets out on a global quest for vengeance after being framed and imprisoned in East Germany.
Set between 1987 and 1990, around the time of the Berlin Wall’s fall, the series delves into themes of flashbacks, betrayal, and espionage, with locations spanning Berlin, Mallorca, Spain, and Chile.
The series, titled Kleo, comprises 14 episodes spread over two seasons.
According to Dread Central, King expressed his admiration for the series on X, previously known as Twitter, back in 2022.
“KLEO (Netflix): What a breath of fresh air!” King remarked.
He continued, “Suspenseful and also very funny. I wonder, though, where Kleo’s money came from. Flying off to Mallorca mustn’t have been cheap, even in 1989.”
He concluded with, “Oh well–just enjoy.”
The reason behind the deletion of his post remains unclear.
Both seasons of Kleo have achieved an average Rotten Tomatoes score of 96 percent.
Critics have praised the first season, saying: “Fueled by betrayal, Jella Haase’s Kleo sets the Cold War world ablaze in this propulsive German spy revenge thriller.”
One viewer commented, “Loved this show and the performances from the amazing cast, so many memorable moments in one show.”
Another viewer noted that the series succeeds ‘where Hollywood fails,’ adding: “Remarkable performances, phenomenal story, loveable characters.”
“It’s nuts but in a good way,” another fan remarked. “Set against the backdrop of the Berlin wall falling, this spy thriller is violent in parts, but with a dark humour that sets it apart from the likes of Bourne, etc.”
On Reddit, one user mentioned they found the second season ‘even better’ than the first.
“Where Season 1 was sometimes a little slow, this season went right to the point,” they noted.
Another fan agreed, “This show, for the 2nd season in a row, made the combo of being both dramatic and extremely fun, work,” while another stated, “Season two is more fun.”
The show’s ability to improve with each season makes it a must-watch.
Both seasons of Kleo are available for streaming on Netflix.