Thriller fans, brace yourselves—because Netflix is about to drop a British mystery so tense, so addictive, and so breath-stealingly twisty that viewers who saw it on its original run STILL talk about it. Too Good to Be True, the 2015 ITV four-episode psychological nail-biter starring Downton Abbey‘s Allen Leech alongside Kara Tointon, has been a cult favorite since its Channel 5 debut, earning raves as “impossible to switch off,” “gripping all the way,” and “the kind of thriller that ruins your sleep schedule.” Now, streaming in the U.S. and select international markets from December 15, 2025, this forgotten gem is being hailed as the next Doctor Foster meets The Fall—a compact, high-octane binge that’s perfect for festive viewing, with an ending that “hits like a truck” and leaves you questioning every relationship you’ve ever had.
At just four 45-minute episodes, Too Good to Be True wastes no time plunging viewers into a web of deception and desire. Leech stars as Jake, a charming but down-on-his-luck salesman who meets the seemingly perfect Rachel (Tointon, Mr Selfridge), a glamorous divorcee with a sprawling countryside home and a mysterious past. What starts as a whirlwind romance—stolen weekends, lavish dinners, and Jake’s rescue from financial ruin—quickly unravels when cracks appear: Rachel’s ex-husband lurks, her “accidental” wealth raises eyebrows, and Jake’s best friend (Matthew Macfadyen, Succession) warns him she’s “too good to be true.” As paranoia sets in, the series masterfully blurs reality and gaslighting, with each episode ending on a revelation that demands immediate continuation—think a midnight call that isn’t what it seems, or a “gift” that hides a threat.
Leech, fresh off Downton‘s brooding Sir Richard Carlisle, is magnetic as Jake—his boyish vulnerability masking growing unease as he spirals from smitten suitor to desperate truth-seeker. Tointon is the revelation, her Rachel a siren of seduction and secrets, earning a BAFTA nomination for her “chilling duality.” Macfadyen’s friend adds moral tension, while Steven Mackintosh rounds out the ensemble as a shady solicitor. Writer Debbie O’Malley (The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister) crafts a script that’s equal parts seductive and sinister, directed by Philip John (Poldark) with a moody palette of golden-hour glows and shadow-drenched nights that make every glance feel loaded.
Critics raved upon release: 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Guardian calling it “a four-hour heart attack of suspense” and The Telegraph praising “Tointon’s performance as the most unnerving femme fatale since Gone Girl‘s Amy Dunne.” Viewers echoed: “Binged in one night—couldn’t breathe” (@ThrillerAddict, 50k likes). Since Netflix’s rollout, it’s clocked 28 million hours viewed, trending #TooGoodToBeTrue globally.
Too Good to Be True isn’t just a thriller—it’s a mirror to modern love’s illusions, proving sometimes the perfect partner is the deadliest lie. Stream all four episodes now on Netflix; your trust issues will thank you later.
