Serial killers

His and Hers fans’ next 5 ‘twisted’ dramas to binge-watch on Netflix

His and Hers exploded onto our screens last week and Netflix fans are now looking for their next binge-watch.

His and Hers is Netflix’s most-watched series but there’s plenty of other gripping dramas that pack a punch on the streamer.

Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal lead the way in the newly released six-part thriller which sees an estranged married couple brought back together by a disturbing homicide in their hometown.

As subscribers finish the unpredictable His and Hers, many are looking for their next big watch on the streamer.

From a “horrifying” final episode to a “superb” drama with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, here are five thrillers ready to watch on Netflix.

5 ‘gripping’ binge-worthy Netflix thrillers

Mr Mercedes

Based on Stephen King’s hit novel of the same name, Mr Mercedes follows the psychopathic serial killer Brady Hartsfield (played by Harry Treadaway) after he runs over 16 people at a job fair.

While there is little to no evidence of who committed the horrendous act, retired detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) won’t stop investigating as he’s determined to bring the culprit to justice.

Starring Harry Potter legend Brendan Gleeson and Nobody Wants This star Justine Lupe, all three seasons of Mr Mercedes are ready to watch on Netflix.

Run Away

Author Harlan Coben is a mastermind when it comes to hit Netflix thrillers based on some of his best-selling novels and Run Away is no different.

Released on New Year ’s Day, Simon Greene (James Nesbitt) has been desperately trying to find his runaway daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange) for the past six months.

But after he does eventually track her down, it kicks off a string of dangerous events, unravelling family secrets that no one expected.

Run Away stars Cold Feet’s James Nesbitt, Gavin and Stacey icon Ruth Jones and Harry Potter icon Alfred Enoch.

Behind Her Eyes

Based on the 2017 psychological thriller novel of the same name by author Sarah Pinborough, Behind Her Eyes revolves around single mum Louise (Simona Brown) who starts an affair with her psychiatrist boss David (Tom Bateman).

Louise also secretly befriends David’s mysterious wife Adele (Eve Hewson), leading to twisted mind games and an almighty cliffhanger that fans have labelled as “horrifying”.

Dark Winds

Set in 1970s Navajo Nation in the American Southwest, Tribal Police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zach McClarnon) is joined by his new deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) in solving a number of crimes that don’t, on the face of it, seem to be connected.

But as they continue to uncover clues around a brutal double murder, they begin to battle their own demons and beliefs.

Only the first season of Dark Winds is currently available to watch on Netflix with reports that its second will be added later this year.

However, all three seasons of Dark Winds are ready to stream on NOW.

The Sinner

Hit psychological crime drama The Sinner focusses less on the crime itself and more on why people do these terrifying acts.

While each series revolves around a different case, at the heart of The Sinner is Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) who continues to look into devastating acts of violence and the disturbing reasons why they are committed.

All four seasons of The Sinner are available to watch on Netflix.

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Quaint UK village with secluded beach and lighthouse linked to alleged serial killer who ‘poisoned family’

The village in Norfolk is known for its natural beauty, archaeological sites, coastal erosion and beautiful beach walks, but in the 19th century, it was also the home of alleged serial killer Jonathan Balls

Britain is dotted with charming villages and towns, but few harbour a sinister history quite like Happisburgh, a coastal village in Norfolk. While celebrated for its stunning scenery, archaeological treasures, dramatic coastal erosion and picturesque beach walks, the village was also home to Jonathan Balls during the 19th century.

Following his death in 1846, he was posthumously accused of murdering at least 22 individuals, predominantly family members, between 1824 and 1845 through poisoning.

Little is documented about Mr Balls’ earlier years before these alleged atrocities, though he was regarded as a “bad character” locally, having previously served time for minor offences.

Who was Jonathan Balls and what were his alleged crimes?

Mr Balls wed a woman called Elizabeth at some stage and fathered three daughters, who each went on to have children themselves. The family lived in poverty, depending on relief funds to survive.

Yet as Mr Balls aged, he became increasingly reliant on his relatives for financial assistance, which is thought to have driven him to systematically poison family members so their money would pass to him, reports the Express.

It’s understood that Mr Balls started purchasing substantial quantities of arsenic during the 1830s from neighbouring towns, using the excuse of a rodent problem at his property. The first questionable death was that of his daughter, Maria Lacey, aged 24, who is thought to have succumbed to mistreatment by her husband and an unidentified illness.

A year on, on Christmas Day in 1836, a tragic event occurred when Mr Balls’ granddaughter, Maria Green, who was just 13 months old, died under mysterious circumstances. This was followed by the death of Ann Peggs, aged 8, on June 7, 1839, and the deaths of 13-month-old Martha Green and her three year old brother, William, both on October 31, 1841. All three were Mr Balls’ grandchildren.

In the subsequent years, several members of Mr Balls’ family met with suspicious ends, including one of his children and one of his parents. Both died mysteriously after relocating from their home to live with him.

Despite the family’s neighbours calling for an inquest into the deaths on two separate occasions, no investigation was carried out. In September 1845, another tragedy struck when Mr Balls’ grandson, Samuel Green, passed away, followed by his ailing wife, Elizabeth, just four months later.

The last confirmed victim is believed to be his granddaughter, Elizabeth Anne Pestle, who died on April 17, 1846.

Three days following the death of Ms Pestle, Mr Balls also passed away at his residence in Happisburgh, succumbing to an illness. In the wake of his passing, local residents requested the area’s coroner, Mr Pilgrim, to exhume and reexamine the bodies for cause of death.

Eventually, Mr Pilgrim authorised the exhumation of both Mr Balls’ and Ms Pestle’s remains. The post-mortem examinations revealed a substantial amount of arsenic in both bodies, prompting further investigation into other family members.

Interviews were conducted with surviving relatives of Mr Balls and several servants employed at the property. One maid, Sarah Kerrison, alleged she had witnessed Mr Balls adding a suspicious white powder to a teacup, which he then served to his bedridden wife.

Her health deteriorated progressively, leading to her eventual demise. After tasting some food prepared in the household, the maid fell ill, exhibiting signs of poisoning.

The case garnered extensive media coverage and was even a topic of discussion in Parliament.

The village of Happisburgh

Despite its murky history, Happisburgh is a must-visit if you find yourself in Norfolk. This coastal village boasts some of the UK’s earliest known human footprints, a significant archaeological discovery that places early humans in Northern Europe.

Believed to be the oldest human footprints in the UK, they date back 800,000 years.

The village’s rugged coastline boasts some stunning walking trails, with the sandy beach staying peaceful all year round. It’s also dog-friendly year-round, making it an ideal destination for dog walkers keen to discover this dramatic coastline.

That said, visitors walking along the cliffs or beach are urged to take care due to the danger of coastal erosion. The cliffs are composed of glacial till, which has resulted in the loss of land and cliffs in recent years.

One of Happisburgh’s most recognisable landmarks is Happisburgh Lighthouse, which dates back to 1790, making it East Anglia’s oldest working lighthouse. It’s also Britain’s only independently operated lighthouse, offering stunning coastal views from 85 feet up.

The Hill House Inn is a dog-friendly local pub serving up classics such as fish and chips, alongside a warm atmosphere and welcoming vibe. The pub has earned a rating of 4.3 out of five on Google, with one reviewer describing it as the “kind of pub you dream of stumbling into on a windswept Norfolk day”.

The review, from Neil, said: “The Hill House Inn in Happisburgh is the kind of pub you dream of stumbling into on a windswept Norfolk day. Perched not far from the cliffs, it has that mix of cosy charm and a bit of history woven into the beams.

“Inside, it feels like the sort of place where smugglers probably once traded contraband rum under the table while pretending to just be ‘popping in for a pint’. The ale is well-kept, the food hearty, and the welcome as warm as the fire in winter.”

Another review from Patricia added: “My first time visiting the inn. A lovely, typical village pub. Dog-friendly, with friendly staff. Nice sandwich, I had ham on the bone, and my friend had salmon, with chips and salad plus two coffees. Reasonable price too.”

Alternatively, there’s Smallsticks Cafe at Cart Gap Beach, located slightly further along the coast from Happisburgh beach. The cafe offers everything from coffee, cake and sandwiches to fish and chips and a full English breakfast.

This friendly, family-run establishment has earned a rating of 4.6 out of five on TripAdvisor, with visitors praising both the staff and the delicious food on offer.

One reviewer said: “We ended up here five times during our week in Norfolk! It was simply outstanding and so fabulous! The menu was great, such a fabulous choice, and the hardest thing was choosing what to eat! The whitebait was awesome and absolutely delicious, and cooked to perfection! Food was well-presented and cooked perfectly! Staff were so warm and friendly and so polite and true ambassadors to the establishment! ! ! Prices were fantastic and certainly won’t dent a hole in your wallet! So doggy friendly and the toilets were spotless!”

Another individual commented: “Very welcoming and the coffee and cake we had were lovely. Very friendly staff and a very pleasant way to spend an hour. Didn’t eat the cooked food, but what we saw looked very nice.”

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