The series first aired a decade ago and gained a loyal fan following.
The 2016 series is hailed a ‘hidden-gem masterpiece’ (Image: ITV)
A “gritty” crime drama that fans have hailed as “underrated” is free to binge on ITVX.
StartUp is an American TV series that first aired back in 2016, with an A-list cast including Adam Brody, Martin Freeman, Edi Gathegi, Otmara Marrero, Ron Perlman and Mira Sorvino.
The series ran for three seasons before coming to an end in 2018, but all three are available to watch on the free streaming service.
The crime drama follows the emergence of a new tech idea that sparks controversy, GenCoin, a digital currency.
When three unlikely people come together for the new business, but find themselves plunged into the dark underworld of organised crime, they must avoid a crooked FBI agent working to take them down.
The synopsis on ITVX teases: “Martin Freeman and Adam Brody shine in this gritty drama. A banker, hacker and gang lord unite in a plan to launder millions, as a crooked agent goes to extremes to take them down.”
Fans have been left begging for a fourth season for a decade, as one wrote: “This series is just something unlike any other other show… I’ve never felt so immersed into a show before. Went through all 3 seasons in about 2 days, it was that good.”
Someone else said: “Couldn’t turn it off, Binge watched the series in a few days,” while another called it an “excellent hidden gem”.
Yet another fan wrote that they were “yearning for more”, adding: “This is a cracker of a series. So full of twists and turns. Great characters, script, direction and cinematography. I can’t believe that it ended. OMG. This was one of the more bingeworthy series I have seen. Relentless drama. I loved the characters and their interrelationships. Powerful stuff.”
One devoted viewer said it was “a crazy underrated show that’s totally binge-worthy,” while someone else said: “This got me hooked from the first episode.”
Another called it “a true diamond in the rough,” while someone else wrote: “This is probably the most underrated TV show I’ve ever seen in my life.”
One fan echoed: “This masterpiece deserves at least a 9. It is so well done and leaves you held in aesthetic arrest. The build up to the various climaxes induces full on catharsis.”
Fans were left gutted when the show came to an end, with no plans for season four, as Spanish film director Luis Prieto, who worked on four episodes of the original season, told Express.co.uk : “This, I really don’t know. It was a Crackle show and from the story, it was working very well.
“I think people were aware it was connecting with the audience but I’m not sure what happened.
“Sometimes things just stop and sometimes it’s for the best. I’m sure Ben Ketai would be extremely excited to continue the adventure.”
Meanwhile, Olly Blackburn, another director who worked on the programme, said he “never guessed” the show would be as big as it was, saying: “If you make something big that connects with people, the audience will find it eventually, and all around the world too.”
StartUp is available to watch on ITVX