Fans claim it is the best period drama since Mad Men
The Australian drama is streaming now on BBC iPlayer (Image: BBC)
A captivating period drama with a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating might be the perfect addition to your mid-week watchlist.
BBC iPlayer is currently streaming Australian hit drama, The Newsreader, which stars Mindhunter actress Anna Torv and Interview with the Vampire’s Sam Reid.
The duo are part of a competitive team of journalists in a 1980s Australian newsroom, with Torv playing the channel’s first female newsreader, Helen Norville.
After fighting various barriers to make her way to the top, Helen gets paired up with producer Dale Jennings (Reid).
Viewers are then thrust into the duo’s personal and professional lives as they cover major historic events such as Halley’s Comet and the AIDS crisis.
Created by Michael Lucas, the workplace drama debuted in 2021 and aired for three seasons. Each instalment earned overwhelming praise from critics and casual viewers alike.
Rotten Tomatoes reviewers awarded the drama a perfect 100% score for its first two seasons, with no score available yet for the third instalment.
Torv and Reid were showered with praise following the release, with one IMDB user raving: “The biggest news to come from the Aussie drama ‘The Newsreader’ is that Sam Reid (Dale Jennings) is sensational.”
“I suggest that his career is about to take off epically. I could see him as the next James Bond!”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
Someone else agreed: “The Newsreader is a brilliantly acted and written drama series. I absolutely love TV shows that are based around historic events and this is the best example since Mad Men.”
While a third fan shared their detailed verdict: “I consider this show a bit of a hidden gem, especially because I discovered it completely by coincidence. It’s difficult to put into words what an intense viewing experience it is.
“The backdrop setting of a 80’s newsroom is so delicious it feels like it could have been written for me personally. The rise and decay of these characters, especially the two leads BRILLIANTLY portrayed by Anna Torv and Sam Reid, is extremely captivating.”