Fans of Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club should consider watching a gripping series featuring David Tennant next.
The film adaptation of Richard Osmond’s best-selling novel premiered on Netflix on Thursday (August 28) and quickly climbed to the top of the platform’s most-watched list.
In the UK, it holds the number one position, while in the US, it ranks second, just below the true crime documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish.
The British crime drama is set in the tranquil retirement village of Cooper’s Chase, where four unexpected friends—ex-spy Elizabeth Best (Helen Mirren), former trade union leader Ron Ritchie (Pierce Brosnan), retired psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley), and former nurse Joyce Meadowcroft (Celia Imrie)—dedicate their Thursdays to solving long-forgotten cold cases.
However, when a violent murder occurs close to home, their hobby turns into a serious investigation.
Beneath the surface of cozy teas and friendly conversations lies a complex web of betrayal, cover-ups, and long-delayed justice.
Doctor Who star David Tennant is also part of the ensemble cast, and he appears in a highly-rated Netflix series that should be on fans’ watchlist. While The Thursday Murder Club received a 76 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, this two-season series boasts an impressive 92 percent average.
The Netflix original series, consisting of seven episodes, premiered in 2019, with a second season following in 2020.
The show’s setting is limited to a few claustrophobic spaces: a police interrogation room, the adjoining observation area, and a hallway, yet it captivates viewers with its sharp writing and psychological tension.
Each episode introduces a new case and suspect, as a team of skilled Metropolitan Police interrogators seek the truth through intense, one-on-one interactions.
Leading the team is Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Hobbs (Katherine Kelly), while Tennant portrays a different kind of doctor, at the heart of a chilling murder investigation.
Guest stars include Mission: Impossible’s Hayley Atwell, Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar, and Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington.
The series in question is Criminal: UK, part of Netflix’s Criminal franchise, which also includes versions set in France, Germany, and Spain.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes commented on the first season: “Criminal’s claustrophobic stylings and constantly twisting narratives pair nicely with its visual experiments, creating a crime drama that’s equal parts creepy and captivating.”
A viewer agreed: “It’s impressive how much they were able to achieve with minimal changes in setting throughout the whole season. Excellent writing, acting, and directing.”
Another praised the show as ‘absolutely gripping’ while a third remarked: “Best viewing experience in a long time – see them all!”
The positive feedback continued on Google reviews, where one fan compared the show to Mindhunter, stating: “It seemed flawless to me. There is no action but as the detectives elicit confessions from suspects in the line room, every word and every scene is charged with meaning.
“The script is tight and without a single unnecessary sentence.”
Another viewer added: “Initially, I was expecting another two-dimensional police procedural, but after binge-watching both (short!) seasons, I’m hooked.”
Criminal: UK is currently streaming on Netflix.