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BBC iPlayer’s Kin has been hailed as the ‘best series’ by viewers, with the Irish gangland drama achieving a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes

BBC iPlayer’s gritty crime drama Kin has been winning rave reviews from audiences. The gangland thriller, which follows a Dublin criminal family embroiled in an underworld feud, has left viewers clamouring for more despite running for just 16 episodes.

Originally aired between 2021 and 2023, the show continues to win over new fans on Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The Irish-made series has also impressed critics, securing a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first series.

The show’s synopsis states: “A boy is killed, and his family embarks on a gangland war with an international cartel. But the Kinsellas have something the cartel does not, the unbreakable bonds of blood and family.”

The impressive cast includes Charlie Cox, famous for playing Marvel superhero Daredevil, alongside Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillen and Ciarán Hinds, who play rival gang leaders.

The drama kicks off with Michael Kinsella, the black sheep of the family, walking free from prison. The Kinsellas rely on local drugs kingpin Eamon Cunningham (Hinds). But tensions are rising as they grow weary of being under his thumb, and before long, all-out gang warfare erupts.

One viewer confessed: “I binge-watched all of Kin series one on Netflix yesterday, didn’t finish it until 3am,” continuing, “Really enjoyed it. When will series two be released? I need to do more bingeing into the wee small hours.”

One glowing review on Rotten Tomatoes gushed: “Best series I have seen, could not stop watching it, brilliantly written, acting superb, a must watch for me.”

A viewer took to IMDb to counter the negative reviews, asserting: “Surprised by the negative reviews because this is an excellent series, with great performances, realistic action and a good plot. None of your Hollywood 10-minute fight scenes; the violence is short, sharp and decisive.”

They continued: “The first season held my attention throughout, and I looked forward to every episode, even though I could see the ending coming a mile off. You could look at it as the copying of a great ending to a great movie or just a nod to that movie.

“I wasn’t sure about season two, but warmed to it after the first couple of episodes. I’m not fond of endings that leave parts of the story hanging for next season, but in this case, I’ll forgive them because it was, otherwise, the perfect finale to the main plot line.”

Another fan praised: “The series is deeply character-driven, with standout acting, sharp dialogue, and nuanced interactions that will have you on the edge of your seat, hanging on every word when things get real.”

They wrapped up their review by saying: “The action sequences are seamlessly incorporated, as one critic noted. Even as someone who doesn’t enjoy drama, I found this a fantastic watch.”

Meanwhile, viewers have been making comparisons to Love/Hate, the acclaimed Irish crime drama which ran from 2010 to 2014. One fan suggested: “Watch love/hate instead, especially S2 + S3. Up there with the best shows I’ve ever watched”.

Netflix has added a historical drama based on the true story and viewers have been captivated

Netflix has quietly dropped a historical drama rooted in real events, and true crime enthusiasts are already singing its praises. The streaming giant has added this Italian post-war thriller, which chronicles the life of Toni Chichiarelli (portrayed by Pietro Castellitto).

The gifted artist scrapes by creating street portraits in Rome during Italy’s tumultuous Years of Lead. This period witnessed widespread chaos fuelled by political violence from both neo-fascist groups and far-left extremists.

Time Magazine noted: “Toni’s amoral ambition leads to a life of forgery, producing perfect replicas of paintings for his gallery owner girlfriend Donata (Giulia Michelini) and other lucrative jobs for the Banda della Magliana, a criminal organization stretching its wings in Rome, with the charismatic Balbo (Edoardo Pesce) taking the forger under his wing.”

This ambitious production, amongst Netflix’s collection of fact-based films, has earned acclaim for its meticulous period detail, with reviewers highlighting the authenticity of everything from vehicles to wardrobes and soundtrack. Viewers have branded it a compelling blend of political suspense and gangster drama.

The Netflix offering is titled The Big Fake, and supporters have flocked to IMDb reviews encouraging others to give it a watch.

Pjames10 praised it as “excellent”, revealing: “I don’t want to give anything away, but the movie took some nice twists and turns. It had some filmic serendipities that, rather than distracting, only helped to reveal how our hero has led a charmed life on the periphery of legitimacy and criminality. I was sucked in, and it held my attention the entire time.”

2B-10101010 branded it “amazing”, continuing: “Intrigue, emotion, story, actors, this movie has it all. It starts a bit slow but after the initial introduction, you get to know the characters and story and you want to see more, you want to feel like you are in the movie, it’s a captivating story with a bit of flair. Maybe one of the best European movies! Give it a chance, it’s worth seeing.”

Luuthaiquangkhai awarded the film nine out of 10 stars, commending its distinctive atmosphere.

They explained: “I came in expecting a heist/criminal movie, ends up watching a Historical drama that is very much unlike any other things. They have a good story to tell, a firm set of characters with clear individual values and motivations.”

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Over on Rotten Tomatoes, Giulia S enthused: “Amazing plot. Great character. Great Atmosphere. I really enjoy it!” Anthousa P declared: “Finally a movie for readers of good literature. Where the story matters less than how it is told. Lovely photography, solid acting, good steady pace, interesting musical background.”

Lucas P declared: “An absolute masterpiece of a movie with a spectacular twist at the end. This is a must-watch.”

The genuine Antonio Chichiarelli was an expert in deception, and his talents extended far beyond painting. Born in Abruzzo in 1948, he made his way to Rome possessing a skill “so dangerous it made him a protected asset for the most powerful entities in Italy”, according to The Viewers Perspective.

The Big Fake is on Netflix.

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