Netflix’s The Escape Artist, the brilliantly tense three-part legal thriller that premiered in 2013 on BBC Two and is now streaming on the platform as of September 28, 2025, has crashed back into the spotlight, leaving viewers breathless with its masterful blend of courtroom drama and psychological horror.

Starring David Tennant as the charismatic barrister Will Burton and Ashley Jensen as his steely colleague Kate, the miniseries follows Burton’s pyrrhic victory in prosecuting a serial killer, only for the murderer to be released on a technicality and target those closest to him. Fans on X (#EscapeArtistNetflix) are raving, calling it “so tense it’s almost unbearable,” “painfully frustrating but brilliant,” and “a must-watch binge in one sitting,” with its 92% Rotten Tomatoes score cementing it as one of the best British dramas you’ll devour without pause.

Will Burton, a rising star in London’s legal world, secures a conviction against creepy killer Liam Foyle (Toby Kebbell), but a procedural slip sets Foyle free, unleashing a cat-and-mouse game of vengeance that blurs lines between justice and terror. Tennant’s Burton is a revelation—charming yet unraveling, his quick wit masking a growing dread as Foyle’s obsession turns personal. Jensen’s Kate, Burton’s anchor and lover, brings fierce loyalty and quiet strength, their chemistry a lifeline amid the escalating nightmare. Kebbell’s Foyle is a chilling standout, his soft-spoken menace evoking Hannibal Lecter with a British twist. Sophie Okonedo as Burton’s boss and Sophie Wu as his assistant add sharp edges to the ensemble, with David S. Goyer’s script (his TV debut) delivering twists that hit like verdicts.

Critics laud The Escape Artist as a “masterclass in suspense,” with The Guardian praising its “frustratingly brilliant” exploration of legal flaws and human fragility. Fans confess it’s “impossible to switch off,” bingeing the 150-minute runtime in one go, one X user tweeting, “Tennant’s best since Broadchurch—slept zero after!” The series’ moody London sets and intimate scale amplify the dread, earning its cult status. While some note its brevity leaves threads dangling, most call it “unmissable.” Stream The Escape Artist now for a thriller that’s elegantly devastating—Netflix’s hidden gem that’ll haunt your weekends.