Netflix has unleashed a British crime thriller so riveting that it’s already being hailed as superior to the iconic Broadchurch, boasting a stellar 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and leaving viewers gasping for air. Patience, a four-part miniseries that dropped on July 25, 2025, dives into the murky depths of a small coastal town where secrets fester like open wounds. With its taut pacing, haunting performances, and twists that hit like a tidal wave, fans are declaring it the new gold standard in UK crime drama—eclipsing even the quaint charm of Midsomer Murders. If you thought Broadchurch‘s emotional gut-punches were intense, prepare for a series that redefines devastation.
Set in the fictional Cornish village of St. Agnes, Patience follows DI Clara Ruskin (Laura Fraser), a no-nonsense detective grappling with personal demons while investigating the disappearance of a local teenager. The case unravels a web of deceit involving the girl’s affluent family, shady business dealings, and long-buried town scandals. As Ruskin digs deeper, she uncovers connections to a 20-year-old unsolved murder, forcing her to confront her own past. The series, adapted from T.M. Logan’s bestselling novel by screenwriter Sarah Phelps (The Pale Horse), clocks in at just four episodes, each around 50 minutes, making it a perfect binge for those craving concise, high-stakes storytelling.
The cast is a powerhouse of British talent, elevating the script’s tension to fever pitch. Fraser, known for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, delivers a tour-de-force as Ruskin, blending vulnerability with steely resolve. She’s joined by Shaun Evans (Endeavour) as her enigmatic partner, DS Mark Hale, and Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack) as the missing girl’s distraught mother. Critics rave about the chemistry, with The Guardian calling Fraser’s performance “hauntingly raw, making every revelation feel like a personal betrayal.” The 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, based on 45 reviews, praises its “masterful suspense” and “atmospheric cinematography,” drawing comparisons to Broadchurch‘s moody seaside vibes but with sharper psychological edges.
Fan reactions have been explosive, flooding social media with praise and spoilers alerts. On X, #PatienceNetflix trended globally within hours of release, with @CrimeDramaFan tweeting, “Just finished Patience—forgot to breathe during Episode 3’s twist! Better than Broadchurch, hands down. Laura Fraser is a legend!” Reddit’s r/NetflixBestOf exploded with threads dissecting the finale, one user noting, “The menopause subplot adds real depth, making it more relatable and devastating than Happy Valley.” Over 1.2 million views in its first weekend propelled it to Netflix’s Top 10, outpacing recent hits like The Gentlemen.
What sets Patience apart is its unflinching exploration of themes like grief, betrayal, and societal facades, all wrapped in Phelps’ signature dark humor. Unlike Broadchurch‘s sprawling ensemble, this thriller keeps the focus tight, building paranoia through close-ups and rain-soaked landscapes. Director Euros Lyn (Torchwood) masterfully crafts an atmosphere where every glance feels loaded, echoing the isolation of Cornwall’s cliffs. Viewers warn it’s not for the faint-hearted: “Jaw-dropping twists that make you question everything,” posted @ThrillerQueen on Instagram, echoing sentiments that it’s “moodier and more addictive than Mare of Easttown.”
Netflix hasn’t announced a Season 2, but with its cliffhanger ending—hinting at Ruskin’s unresolved trauma—and soaring popularity, renewal seems inevitable. For now, Patience stands as a triumph, proving British thrillers can still innovate. As one critic summed up in Variety: “A compact powerhouse that outshines its predecessors with sheer emotional force.” If you’re ready for a series that twists the knife deeper than Broadchurch, dive in— but don’t forget to exhale.
