thriller

CANNES, France — The movies of Na Hong-jin aren’t hard to love — they’re as obsession-worthy as the stylish rigor with which they are made. His 2008 debut, “The Chaser,” found new febrility in the post-Fincher serial killer thriller. “The Wailing” somehow added ghosts, demon-possessed children and inky black crows to the mix with a near-crazed sense of showmanship.

That was 10 years ago. Na, 51, now sits on the other side of a project that has consumed him for years, a sci-fi action film called “Hope” that arrives with expensive CGI, a pair of A-list stars (Michael Fassbender and Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander) and James Cameron-sized franchise ambitions. It will undoubtedly make Na’s gallows-humor-inflected brand more global, even if it lifts him out of the cult niche that’s nourished him to date.

Cannes is an unlikely place to launch “Hope.” That could be seen as a sign that the festival’s increasing accommodation of blockbuster bigness doesn’t need Hollywood. Na sits in the corner of a Côte d’Azur waterfront lounge on a glorious midday, the sky an almost abstract blue. He tugs at his goatee distractedly. His world premiere is tonight.

Neon, the distributor currently enjoying a six-year Palme d’Or winning streak, will release “Hope” in America sometime after its summer bow in Na’s native South Korea. The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity. It also contains significant spoilers.

A scene from the movie “Hope,” directed by Na Hong-jin.

(Neon)

When did you realize that you had a big sci-fi alien monster movie in you?

The idea came to me in 2017 in Seoul. The premise started off with somebody watching news in a diner or a small restaurant. It was that image that I had in my head. So I started developing that initial image in more detail. By 2018, I was able to write my first draft.

“Hope” brings to mind several genre classics, from “Jaws” and John Carpenter movies like “The Thing,” to something more homegrown such as Bong Joon Ho’s “The Host.” Were those inspiring to you?

I must have looked all the genre films that I could find, including the ones you mention, before I went into filming. And, as I hope you noticed, I was looking more at films from before 2000 and I tried to reflect that look.

It seems like you’re using Cannes as a moment to pivot or reinvent yourself. Is that intentional?

I didn’t intend for this to be a turning point in terms of style or direction going forward. I never thought of it that way. What I really dwelled on was thinking about how to tell this story in a way that was approachable and entertaining for people.

Why did you set the story in the demilitarized zone?

If you look at it from a universal perspective, what happens in this very shabby, humble, small, insignificant space potentially creates an impact that can go on infinitely. I think none of the characters in the film do anything with any malice. I guess the underlying story I want to tell is that there is no reason for evil intention behind anything, but innocent acts can build up to something tragic.

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are wonderful surprises in the movie as some rather dignified aliens. What led you to them?

When I was casting the alien roles, I had a bigger story in mind. I don’t know whether there’ll be a sequel after this one, but if so, that sequel is going to be centered around them. So picking the right actors was very important for me. We asked them to learn this invented alien language, which they prepared and came onto set knowing.

How important to you is comedy and releasing tension with laughs?

Very. I try to really think it through and if it comes out the way I intended, that gives me such a thrill. I tried to incorporate it in many places.

A lot of the movie feels like a virtuoso chase sequence, people barreling down the road, guns blazing. But it took me a minute to realize that the more interesting question is: Who’s doing the chasing? Is “Hope” meant to make us examine our own violence?

Yes, very much so. And two of the major chase scenes were designed so that what starts off as righteous somehow tilts toward being unjust. I wanted the action to bring up that transition in perspective.

You’ve premiered at Cannes before but, in a way, it feels like the wrong festival for a movie like this. You’re laughing because I think you agree with me.

It goes without saying. I’m incredibly nervous. And I feel so grateful that you’re treating me so nicely and gently.

A scene from the movie “Hope,” directed by Na Hong-jin.

(Neon)

Why did it take you 10 years to make this film?

There was a pandemic in the middle of that. But except for the pandemic where everything stopped, I was working my ass off before and after. It still took this long. I’m a little concerned myself, like: How did this happen?

With “Hope,” are you saying goodbye to the filmmaker you once were?

Not at all. Throughout the entire process of making this film, I was bloodthirsty. I was thirsting for blood. I have another script written already.

And maybe now it’ll go faster because there won’t be a pandemic. Are you hoping that this movie is going to have an impact on the Korean film industry?

It’s not my place to say that. I’m not sure. I want things to be freer.

Would it be a mistake to read this film as an allegory for what’s happening now in the world? Is it a plea for understanding?

I don’t regard it as a plea for understanding. Rather, let’s hope people will be able to relate to it and be empathetic about the story and realize for themselves, understand for themselves. Maybe there’s something more to it, but you take away what you will from that.

Your dark humor flares on occasion. Did you make it a point to try to preserve that?

Well, you can’t just do something like this without having that. It’s not fun.

This doesn’t feel like an “Avatar”-style film. There’s an openness to it, a sense of exploration. Do you believe in heroes?

I do believe in heroes, but, as I tell in the story, anyone can be a hero.

A Death in Paradise star has given fans a major career update.

A Death in Paradise favourite is teaming up with a Strictly star for a sinister mystery drama.

Ralf Little joined BBC‘s Death in Paradise in January 2020 as the anxious DI Neville Parker, whose romantic life was rather unlucky.

However, when he bid farewell in 2024, Neville departed hand-in-hand with DS Florence Cassell (Josephine Jobert), sailing towards a happy ending.

Two years following his exit, Little is preparing to feature in Channel 4‘s forthcoming psychological thriller, Hunting Alice Bell, described as a “whodunnit with shades of family drama and social satire”.

Based on its official synopsis, the six-episode drama promises to be considerably darker than what Death in Paradise viewers have come to expect from Little.

Hunting Alice Bell centres on the eponymous character, a former nurse and the romantic partner and accomplice of a “notorious anesthetist serial killer”.

She now resides in the UK under a fresh identity, but when Fran Da Silva is accused online of being Alice Bell, “her happy family life implodes into a wave of mob hate”.

The synopsis adds: “Then she discovers she’s not the only woman to suffer this fate. Fran and the other accused women band together to fight back and clear their names.

“But as they battle to prove their innocence, what if one of the group is lying – and is the real Alice Bell?”

Few details are known about Graham Hunter, the character Little will play, with additional information about his involvement in the Channel 4 series remaining under wraps.

He’ll be accompanied by Nightsleeper’s Alexandra Roach as Fran, Sherlock and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Amanda Abbington as Julie, Mobland’s Emily Barber as Vanessa, and Shaun of the Dead legend Simon Pegg as Dr Jason Nash.

Hunting Alice Bell, which will explore the “devastating effects” of rumours, is scheduled to broadcast later this year, though no specific release date has been announced.

Co-creator David Baddiel remarked, “Technology has created a whole new spin on the idea of mistaken identity.

“We are told that in the present culture, anyone can be who they want to be. But that also means that anyone can have who they are taken away from them: the hive mind can decide who you are.

“This happens to the five women in Hunting Alice Bell: in a world where identity is very fluid, they have lost control of theirs.”

Death in Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Netflix’s ‘micro-series’ has already creeped its way into the UK’s top 10

Fans of a “saucy” drama can binge-watch this one in just an afternoon.

Binge-watching is how most TV fanatics view their favourite shows nowadays with Netflix dropping the perfect “micro-series” for its subscribers.

Mexican thriller Between Father and Son has arrived with the 20-part series focussed on well-respected lawyer Barbara (played by Pamela Almanza) whose life changes after “just a few suspenseful minutes”.

She visits the house of her fiance Alvaro (Erick Elias) before getting married but unexpectedly finds herself attracted to her future step-son Iker (Graco Sendel).

On top of the forbidden sexual tension, there’s also the mystery around what happened to Alvaro’s first wife and Iker’s mum Fernanda who went missing.

Between Father and Son is perfect for those wanting to quickly binge their way through a series.

Each of the 20 episodes have a running time of 10 minutes or less, with seven instalments just seven minutes long.

So Netflix subscribers could binge-watch the entire boxset of Between Father and Son in under four hours if watched back-to-back.

However, while fans have been “hooked” by the Mexican drama, some have complained of a technical issue.

From episode four onwards, fans are currently unable to hear the dialogue in Between Father and Son.

Taking to X, a viewer questioned: “Why’s there no sound?”, as another on Reddit stated: “It doesn’t have any dialogue audio after episode three.”

They went on to add: “I am already hooked though and patiently waiting for the issue to be fixed!”

But others have shared that their audio is working fine, including the English dubbed version of the series.

Between Father and Son is available to watch on Netflix.

Netflix has added one of the biggest British crime dramas of the 21st Century that Dr Foster fans shouldn’t miss

Netflix has finally added the fourth and final season of hit BBC thriller Killing Eve and subscribers will be ecstatic.

The wildly popular crime drama starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer first premiered in 2018 and became an instant success thanks to its sharp writing and addictive narrative.

It follows Grey’s Anatomy star Oh as Eve Polastri, an MI5 analyst who is tasked with surveying and capturing an unhinged assassin known as Villanelle (played by Comer).

Over the course of their electrifying cat-and-mouse chase across the globe, the hunter and the hunted develop an obsession with each other, leading to disastrous consequences.

Also starring a roster of top British and Irish screen talent, including Fiona Shaw (Andor), Edward Bluemel (Sex Education), and Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones), as well as Danish star Kim Bodnia (F1) as Villanelle’s Russian handler Konstantin, Killing Eve is considered one of the best British shows of the 21st Century so far.

Fans of the equally beloved psychological thriller Dr Foster, starring Suranne Jones, are urged to check out the series if they haven’t already.

While both shows deal with similar themes of obsession and scandal, Dr Foster also stars Comer as Kate Parks, the young university student whom Jones’s Dr Gemma Foster suspects of having an affair with her husband, Simon (Bertie Carvel).

Killing Eve has already amassed a gigantic following over the years, so make sure you take the opportunity to catch up on the show’s gripping finale. Furthermore, Dr Foster was recently confirmed to be returning for a long-awaited third season, making this the perfect time to dive in to another thriller while fans await its return.

One Rotten Tomatoes user raved: “Totally addictive. It looks like a story line about cat and mouse. But it’s much more than that.”

Someone else exclaimed: “Chefs kiss! This show is spectacular and I still rewatch it all the time! I even showed it to my cat so she knows what good tv looks like.”

“Loved this entire series,” another said, before lamenting: “Really wish it was renewed for a 5th season.”

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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows.

This includes the brand new UK drama Unchosen, starring Asa Butterfield and Christopher Eccleston.

The enthusiastic reviews continue on IMDb, where one viewer says in a 10/10 write-up: “This show had me hooked after two minutes. What sounds like a typical agent hunting serial killer, surprises with great characters, surprising turning points and amazing cast. I absolutely love every part of it.”

Another fan called it “one of the best shows you’ll ever watch”, before going on to praise the cast for giving an “out-of-this-world masterclass” in acting.

And a final viewer exclaimed: “Warning: highly addictive! Jodie Comer is so charismatic as an assassin that I would hire her to kill me! The best from TV shows that I’ve seen in ages.”

Fancy revisiting an iconic British thriller or diving into Eve and Villanelle’s twisted rivalry for the very first time? Netflix has you covered this week with all four jaw-dropping seasons.

Killing Eve is available to stream on Netflix.

Ben Miles has landed a part in ITV’s upcoming six-part space thriller First Woman

The Crown’s Ben Miles is set to appear in ITV‘s “suspenseful” new space thriller centred on a woman who goes missing during a lunar mission.

The actor, known for portraying British Royal Air Force officer Peter Townsend in the royal drama, joins Adolescence star Ashley Walters in six-part series First Woman, reports Wales Online.

Ashley takes on the role of Ben Reith, who awakens one morning to find his wife Claire (Andrea Riseborough) has vanished. This sparks a global media sensation “because Claire is an astronaut crewing the UK’s first moonbase and she’s disappeared into the long lunar night”, the broadcaster’s synopsis reveals.

It continues: “Claire is the first woman to set foot on the moon.

“A biologist taking part in a groundbreaking research project, her disappearance throws suspicion on her fellow astronauts and China’s rival base.

“With hundreds of thousands of miles between them, can Ben uncover the truth behind his wife’s disappearance?”

The ensemble also features Pride and Prejudice star Jennifer Ehle and Alex Hassell, who will shortly return as Rupert Campbell-Black in the second series of racy Disney+ sensation Rivals.

Ben, who also starred in conspiracy thriller The Capture, joins First Woman’s cast alongside The Tower’s Jimmy Akingbola, Fra Fee from Unchosen, You’s Kathryn Gallagher, Nautilus’ Shazad Latif and Neuromancer’s Christian Ochoa Lavernia.

Teasing the casting news on Instagram, ITV revealed: “A groundbreaking project. A missing biologist. A mystery that reaches across the stars.”

Polly Hill, ITV’s director of drama, promised the series would transport audiences on “an incredible journey”, saying: “I wanted ITV to make this the moment I read it.

“The team that has come on board on and off screen is incredible, and a testament to the wonderful and original scripts.”

When the project was first unveiled, creator Lydia Yeoman explained: “Set in the exciting (and as-yet-unexplored) world of private space travel, First Woman is a thriller unlike anything else we’ve seen.

“This is the story of a marriage put through the ultimate test. It’s rare that you get given the opportunity to tell a story with such ambition and scope, and we’re eternally grateful to Polly at ITV and Alcon for allowing us to do that.”

Thriller fanatics are “glued to their seat” with this “bloody brilliant” movie that isn’t one to miss.

Film buffs are hailing Netflix’s latest release as the “best FBI thriller ever made”.

Despite only dropping on Netflix a few days ago, the crime-thriller and slasher film Mindhunter has already made its way into the streamer top 10 most-watched list.

The 2004 movie follows seven elite FBI trainees, specialising in psychological profiling, left stranded on a remote island during a training exercise.

However, it is on the island that they discover that a real serial killer is among them and they must use their own skills to identify the murderer before it’s too late.

As well as the gripping premise, Mindhunters also boasts an impressive star-studded cast, including an NCIS icon.

Taking on the role of Agent Gabe Jensen is NCIS Los Angeles and NCIS Hawaii star LL Cool J.

He is joined by Top Gun actor Val Kilmer, Dexter: Original Sin’s Christian Slater, Cold Case actress Kathryn Morris, Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller and Band of Brothers’ Eion Bailey.

Fans haven’t been able to stop singing the film’s praises with many likening it to the Final Destination franchise with a crime drama twist.

“This movie is an example of a good thriller recipe”, someone began on IMdB.

“It has a graduate suspense, you never know how things will evolve and if you think you do, you are wrong. It combines psychological hints with rising terror and the result is breathtaking.”

A second wrote: “This script is a tight yarn with no extra ideas and no fat that needed amputation. It tries to deplore the Final Destination spirit within the gimmickless profiler milieu. And it works.”

Someone else posted: “Released in 2004, it has stood the test of time well and is viewed very fresh and well now.

“I do recommend this FBI mouse-cat-whodunnit-drama as it offers many thrills and holds you at the edge of your seat.

“Excellent nail-biting thriller where you never guess who the main culprit is till the very end.”

Another described it as “probably the best FBi thriller ever made” with a fellow fan adding: “Mindhunters is in my opinion a fantastic film with all the violence (not violence just for the sake of violence), the suspense and of course the very creative killings (Final Destinations).”

Mindhunters is available to watch on Netflix.

“I’m disappointed, but what can you do. As you get older, your action starts to go a little bit at the most extreme points of the match.

“But, take nothing away, Shaun was awesome and he’s got a great chance of going on to win it for a second time.”

Resuming the final session 13-11 in arrears, Murphy started in scintillating fashion with two total clearances to haul level, only for Higgins to chisel out the next two to restore his two-frame lead.

Murphy’s fourth century of the match sparked another surge after the interval and, as Higgins began to miss some easy balls, the Englishman went into overdrive, winning the last four in a row to confirm victory.

China’s Wu Yize will face Murphy in Sunday’s final after Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen missed a simple black to secure victory before falling 17-16.

Murphy was full of praise for Higgins.

“I just came out today knowing, if I got my chances, I could score,” he said. “At the interval, I was just saying to myself, ‘you’ve done it before, now you can do it again’.

“But John Higgins – what a player and what a man. The harder it gets out there, the tougher he gets and the better he plays.

“If I’m half the player when I’m in my 50s, I’ll be very proud.”

WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS: Prey originally aired on ITV in 2014 and starred John Simm and Rosie Cavaliero as two detectives

British crime thriller Prey has finally landed on Netflix and is already one of the most-watched shows.

*Warning contains spoilers* Prey originally aired on ITV from 2014 to 2015. The two-season thriller follows two criminal cases involving police officers in the Manchester area, with DS Susan Reinhart (Rosie Cavaliero) investigating both.

Grace icon John Simm stars in the first season as DC Marcus Farrow. The detective found himself in a tight spot when his ex-wife and sons were brutally murdered, and all of the criminal evidence points to him.

He is able to flee when the police van transporting him crashes, and Farrow runs off so he can find out who really murdered his family.

After taking the investigation into his own hands, Farrow discovers that it was DS Reinhardt’s boss, DCI Andrea MacKenzie (Anastasia Hille), who had been responsible for their deaths.

Life on Mars actor Philip Glenister leads the cast in the second season as he plays prison officer David Murdoch.

When Murdoch accompanies inmate Jules Hope (MyAnna Buring) on a routine hospital visit, he receives a call informing him his pregnant daughter Lucy (Sammy Winward) has been kidnapped, and he must follow the captors’ orders if he wants her to live.

Prey features a wealth of acting talent across the two seasons, including EastEnders’ Heather Peace, Doctor Strange’s Benedict Wong, Adrian Edmondson, Harry Potter’s Ralph Ineson, and Line of Duty’s Craig Parkinson.

At the time of writing, Prey is currently in the #5 position in Netflix’s UK TV chart, according to FlixPatrol. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series is also rated 100% on the Tomatometer.

The series has proved a hit with viewers, with many taking to IMDb to share their thoughts. “Great series, worth the time and a good binge watch – Brits do it best!” penned one viewer.

Another said, “I can’t believe that I just found this gem. Outstanding acting from virtually everyone, non-stop action, great storyline. Every character is so believable, so real. Three episodes, so well done!”.

Elsewhere, another fan wrote: “Absolutely loved this action packed thriller” to which a different account added: “Although John Simm is excellent in every role he plays I really thought this was one of the best.”

Prey seasons one and two are available to watch on Netflix

Netflix is set to bring this “unsettling” best-selling novel to life sooner than you think.

Severance and The Godfather legends are teaming up for a Netflix thriller that will leave your “flesh crawling”.

Based on Alex North’s New York Times best-selling novel of the same name, The Whisper Man is making its way to Netflix on Friday, August 28.

The official synopsis for the upcoming “disturbing” film reads: “When his eight-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer looks to his estranged father, a retired former police detective, for help, only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as ‘The Whisper Man.’”

What’s even more exciting about The Whisper Man’s pending arrival is its star-studded cast.

The Netflix thriller will star Severance legend Adam Scott, Hollywood icon Robert De Niro and The White Lotus actress Michelle Monaghan.

While subscribers wait to see how the movie will play out, The Whisper Man already has a loyal fanbase of book lovers ready to watch the adaptation.

Taking to Amazon Prime to sing the book’s praises, a fan shared: “This is one of the most gripping and mind-blowing books I have read this year, and it takes suspense and terror to a whole new thrilling level.”

A second described it as “gripping and flawless”, with another posting: “This book genuinely makes your heart pound.”

Someone else remarked: “Creepy and chilling? Yes! Addictive and clever? Totally!

“It made my skin crawl, it’s sometimes heartbreaking, it’s dark and twisty and just mind-blowingly fabulous!”

“The Whisper Man is one of the best thrillers I have read in years. It is in equal parts gripping and truly terrifying”, a reader commented.

While another added: “I will undoubtedly be keeping my window shut for a little while, and will be obsessively checking on my sleeping children!”

Working behind the scenes as producers are brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, famed for directing Marvel films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

The Whisper Man premieres on Friday, August 28, on Netflix

If you’re looking for something binge-worthy to watch right now, look no further than this “brilliant” series that is “excellent from start to finish”.

After nearly four years of anticipation, The Capture has made a return to screens last month, bringing back the highly praised BBC conspiracy thriller drama for its third season. The show, created by Ben Chanan, features Holliday Grainger as Rachel Carey, an inspector who has climbed the ranks.

As the third season begins, Rachel has taken on the role of acting commander of Counter Terrorism Command.

The latest storyline depicts her efforts to restore public confidence through a new surveillance system, but it quickly faces scrutiny when Rachel becomes involved in a terrorist act in London.

The description for the third series reads: “How do you protect the truth in a world where lies are daily currency? And with the proliferation of deepfakes, how can we trust what we see?”

The series has been praised with an impressive approval rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and eight out of 10 on IMDb. Many viewers too

Many viewers took to IMDb to share their love for the “mind-blowing” drama. One user said: “Six parts of complex, intriguing and baffling drama.

“This isn’t your average six-part mystery series, this will have you scratching your head, questioning everything you see, and doubting the things you’ve seen with your own eyes. It’s excellent from start to finish.”

Another wrote, “A strong and solid storyline and sequence of scenes and events form the basis of edge-of-seat thriller. Oh my, how a simple camera footage can be the root of gripping thriller!

“No fancy gimmicks, dialogues, shoot-out scenes, computer coding thingies, CGI scenes and whatnot. It’s all about how the storyline is delivered. It’s delivered to perfection!”

A third commented: “Wow, the whole series keeps you on your toes; big twist, truly amazing. A very cleverly written piece of drama, the best thing on current TV.”

A fourth said: “One of the best BBC shows ever! Great script, loving the twists and turns! Haven’t watched something this gripping in a long time; it’s really pushing the boundaries.”

All three series that consist of 18 episodes are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

It’s unclear yet whether there will be a fourth season of The Capture, but Ben told Radio Times: “I’d think to myself, as I was writing it, ‘this is going to be the last series’, Now, is that true? I don’t know.

“Never say never, right? But I think it’s really healthy to just write each series as if it’s going to be the last, that you’re not just hanging on to people for the sake of it.”

An acclaimed ITV thriller is returning to screens this weekend, and fans will be delighted

ITV is set to air repeat episodes of a popular thriller this weekend, more than a year after it finished.

Four-part miniseries Playing Nice centres on two couples who learn that their now three-year-old sons were switched at birth.

Pete (James Norton) and Maddie Riley (Niamh Algar) must decide whether to keep the child they’ve brought up or swap to reclaim their biological son. The narrative quickly spirals from a custody battle into a perilous fight for control and survival, packed with numerous secrets and twists.

“Set against a sweeping Cornish landscape, two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up, and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they raised and loved, or reclaim their biological child? Living a waking nightmare, Pete and Maddie are jettisoned into the world of the other couple; Miles and Lucy,” reads the official synopsis, reports the Express.

It continues: “At first it seems all four are agreed on a solution, but it soon becomes clear that hidden motives are at play. How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child – or even each other? As Pete and Maddie are stretched to breaking point, they realise they will stop at nothing to keep their family together.”

The series, adapted from the bestselling book of the same name by J.P. Delaney, also features Andor’s James McArdle and Downton Abbey’s Jessica Brown Findlay as the other couple, Miles and Lucy Lambert. World on Fire star Posy Sterling also appears.

Filming commenced in Cornwall in November 2023, with key locations including St Ives and Padstow, as well as Mawgan Porth beach and Park Head.

Playing Nice aired on ITV and streaming service ITVX in January 2025, swiftly becoming ITVX’s best-ever drama launch at the time of broadcast, as well as ITV1’s highest-rated new drama of 2025. Now the series is making a welcome return to screens, with the first two episodes airing on ITV3 from 11.50pm on Sunday (April 26) night. The final two instalments are then available to enjoy over on ITVX.

The series proved a resounding hit with both audiences and critics shortly after its release. It currently holds a 63% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with Digital Spy describing the drama as “the kind of show that will plague your mind in an infuriating, all-consuming, perfecting addictive way”.

Viewers have continued to heap praise on the series online, with one person writing on IMDb: “The acting and scenery are all round amazing. James Norton delivers another outstanding performance as a great actor. The storyline is strong and keeps you on the edge of your seat.”

Another enthusiast added: “A must watch, I loved this! Had me hooked from the start and it had me up till the wee small hours. Devoured it in three nights!! A brilliant 4 episode series. We watched the whole set in one viewing. We were on the edge of our seats.”

A third remarked: “Superb acting, gripping story – loved it,” while another fan similarly enthused: “This is compelling, uncomfortable viewing that pulls you in and gets you involved. This got my Spidey senses tingling from the beginning, and slowly ratcheted up the fear factor as the plot and the characters were revealed.”

A fifth viewer shared the same sentiment, adding: “Every episode had me on the egde of my seat and wanting to scream… I was completely captivated. This story really gripped me from start to finish.”

Playing Nice will air on ITV3 on Sunday, April 26, at 11.50pm

The tense series features an A-list cast and left viewers hooked by the tense plot.

A gripping thriller that left viewers on the edge of their seats is free to binge.

The Widow is available to watch on ITVX, and stars Kate Beckinsale in a tense role.

It follows the Underworld actress as Georgia Wells, who has believed her husband died in a plane crash.

However, three years later, having lived as a recluse and grieving widow, she sees him in a news report following a riot in the Democratic Republic of Congo and hunts to find him, travelling to Kinshasa for the truth.

As she looks for answers, she’s left questioning why her husband may have faked his own death.

The synopsis teases: “Kate Beckinsale leads as a grieving woman in this gripping drama.”

It adds: “A woman’s search to uncover the mystery of what happened to her husband leads her to the Congo, where she’s forced to seek the truth about what happened to the man she loved.”

The series first aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2019, before being added to the free streaming service.

Parts of The Widow were filmed in South Africa, with Kate suffering from the heat and later revealing she “fainted” while filming because it was “really, really, really hot”.

The cast also included Game of Thrones star Charles Dance, Strictly star Alex Kingston, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Matthew Le Nevez, and Shetland actress Louise Brealey.

Viewers were left hooked by the programme, with one admitting they were “glued to this show”, while several others echoed that they “binged” it.

Another person said: “It kept me on the edge of my seat each show. I really enjoyed the series.”

Reflecting several fans’ pleas for a second season, one person said: “The acting and cinematics are phenomenal. I cannot wait to see season 2!!”

“It was thrilling and entertaining,” someone else said, as another called it “nail-biting”.

Someone else called it “absolutely magnificent”, adding: “The setting was breathtaking and the dialogue was phenomenal.”

Yet another hailed Kate’s “outstanding” performance, while one person added: “A bit slow to start but a gem of a series.”

Despite fans begging for a second season, writers Harry and Jack Williams previously told Express.co.uk that they have no plans to take it forward.

They explained: “By the time we get to the end, it’s a one-off. It’s very satisfying. There’s no secret pilot. There’s no following season.

“It’s really exciting for the eight parts, it’s almost like a movie really.”

The writing duo and brothers behind The Missing and Liar continued: “I think there isn’t scope for more.”

The Widow is available to watch on ITVX