The likelihood of Line of Duty returning to our screens might look less and less likely each time the cast are asked about it, but there’s a slice of the BBC One show over on Netflix right now. Sort of.
During a break from his tenure as Ted Hastings in AC-12, Adrian Dunbar starred in the 2018 drama Blood, which ran for two seasons on Channel 5.
Billed at the time as the broadcaster’s first foray into prestige TV, all episodes have now arrived on the ur-streaming service – and have clambered up the ranking of its top TV shows.
Written by Sophie Petzal, who also lists Netflix’s Anglo-Saxon epic The Last Kingdom in her credits, Blood is a dark family crime saga that kicks off with a young woman’s return from the big city to her Irish hometown in the wake of her mother’s sudden death.
Cat (Carolina Main) returns with some suspicions in her suitcase. She thinks her dad Jim (Dunbar) might have offed her mother – and we the audience are trying to work out if she’s right alongside her.
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Instead of opting for the classic police procedural, Blood is set in the claustrophobic family home setting at odds, with Dunbar’s Jim looking more sinister with each passing episode.
Petzal said in an interview around the show’s first season release: ‘I was always fascinated by the idea that adult children can have totally different perspectives on their parents, even though you all grew up under the same roof.
‘You get together at New Year and there’s booze and suddenly someone says, “You don’t know what dad said to me that night” and everyone else there just reacts to that.’
She told The Guardian: ‘I began to think, what if it was something more serious than that.
What other thrillers can you stream now?
- Incognito. A Dutch thriller that takes us into the world of espionage, with another troubled cop to add to TV’s overflowing back catalogue of the type.
- The Iris Affair. The story of Iris Nixon, who is invited to work for a charismatic entrepreneur after solving a series of complex online puzzles and quizzes.
- Frauds. It’s hard to go far wrong when two of Britain’s best actors go toe-to-toe in a heated heist drama that delves into messy friendship.
- Hotel Costiera. Set around the titular luxury hotel and promises a blend of action, comedy, plus romance – so nearly all the bases are covered.
‘What if there’s a woman who thinks her father has killed her mother and is trying to work out whether he did while the audience are thinking is she right? Does she have some buried shit and childhood issues with Dad or is she just losing the plot?’
The show currently holds a 7.1 rating out of 10 on IMDb, where viewers have penned their reviews on the drama.
Kris wrote: ‘No one does family tragedy like the Irish. The cast is superb as is everything in this series, including the traditional music.’
‘Great drama with an unusual storyline that had me jumping to conclusions early on. It all sorts itself out, working it’s way to the poignant ending. Well worth watching,’ echoed Annie Brodie.
‘Intriguing and well-acted drama which builds to an unexpected ending. Cracking performances by Adrian Dunbar and the rising star, Carolina Main,’ wrote Vindelander.
Are you tempted to try out Blood?
-
Yes
-
Nope
-
Undecided
Blood is available to stream on Netflix.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
