Helen McCrory Shines Once More: ITV’s Acclaimed Thriller Fearless Finds New Life on Netflix
Four years after the untimely death of Helen McCrory, one of Britain’s most commanding actors, her brilliance returns to screens with the arrival of Fearless on Netflix. The six-part ITV legal and political thriller, first aired in 2017, is being rediscovered by a new generation of viewers — and critics are calling it “one of ITV’s best-ever dramas.”
A taut, morally charged series from Homeland writer Patrick Harbinson, Fearless follows McCrory as Emma Banville, a human rights lawyer fighting to prove the innocence of a man convicted of murdering a teenage schoolgirl. What begins as a small-scale legal battle soon unravels into an international conspiracy that pits Emma against the police, government officials, and even the intelligence community itself.
A Role That Defines Courage
For McCrory, Fearless was the kind of role that captured her trademark blend of intellect, integrity, and fire. “I’m thrilled to be leading ITV’s new drama,” she said ahead of filming in 2016. “It’s a thriller that starts deceptively small, then begins crossing borders to different cultures and continents. I can’t wait to start filming.”
Those words proved prophetic. Fearless is no ordinary crime drama — it’s a slow-burn, emotionally intense story about truth, power, and the personal cost of pursuing justice.
As Emma digs deeper into the case of Kevin Russell (played by Sam Swainsbury), a man imprisoned for nearly 15 years for the killing of a schoolgirl in East Anglia, she becomes convinced that his confession was coerced. Her investigation soon reveals corruption at the highest levels, with the police and British intelligence services determined to stop her from uncovering what really happened.
What starts as a fight for one man’s freedom becomes a battle for Emma’s own survival — and her belief in justice itself.
A Timely, Tense Story That Resonates
At the time of its release, Fearless earned praise for tackling political and ethical themes more often seen in American prestige dramas. With Harbinson’s experience writing for Homeland, the series seamlessly blended domestic crime mystery with global stakes, exploring the uneasy relationship between the state, the press, and those who challenge authority.
In the current climate — where truth, accountability, and institutional power are hotly contested — Fearless feels more relevant than ever. Its re-release on Netflix has reignited conversation around the series’ prescience and its central performance.
“Watching McCrory again feels both exhilarating and heartbreaking,” wrote one reviewer this week. “She embodied moral courage like few others — you never doubted that Emma Banville would risk everything for what’s right.”
Helen McCrory: A Legacy of Brilliance
McCrory’s career spanned theatre, film, and television, with a body of work marked by depth and authority. From her magnetic portrayal of Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders to her nuanced turn in MotherFatherSon alongside Richard Gere, she brought grace and strength to every role.
In Fearless, she carries nearly every scene — driven, sharp, and unyielding, yet profoundly human. As Emma, McCrory navigates moral complexity with quiet fury and compassion. It’s a performance that reminds viewers why she was so revered — an actor who could make integrity thrilling.
The show also features strong supporting performances from Michael Gambon, John Bishop, Robin Weigert, and Wunmi Mosaku, each adding depth to the web of intrigue that surrounds Emma’s investigation.
A Second Life on Netflix
Fearless’s arrival on Netflix from October 13 brings renewed attention to a drama that, despite critical acclaim, didn’t initially reach the wide audience it deserved. Streaming gives it that second chance — and for fans of intelligent thrillers like Broadchurch, Bodyguard, or The Good Wife, it’s a must-watch.
Its haunting cinematography captures the bleak beauty of the Suffolk coast, grounding the narrative in an atmosphere of quiet dread. The writing is equally rich — politically sharp, emotionally intelligent, and unapologetically ambitious.
“This was ITV at its boldest,” said one former executive. “It proved British drama could take on American storytelling on its own terms — and win.”
The Power of Fearless
What makes Fearless linger isn’t just its twists, but its heart. It’s about courage under pressure — the bravery to question systems built to silence truth. Through Emma Banville, McCrory embodies that fight with quiet conviction and steely grace.
Even in its quietest moments — Emma alone in her office, sifting through evidence as rain streaks the window — there’s electricity. She isn’t just seeking justice for a stranger; she’s confronting the machinery of deception that defines modern power.
A Fitting Tribute
In the wake of Helen McCrory’s passing in 2021, Fearless stands as both a reminder and a celebration of her artistry. It captures everything she was — intelligent, fearless, and endlessly compelling.
For those who admired her in Peaky Blinders or The Queen, this is the performance that distills her essence: strength without arrogance, emotion without sentimentality.
As one critic recently wrote, “Few actors could make truth feel so dangerous — and so necessary.”
With its return on Netflix, Fearless doesn’t just revisit one of ITV’s most sophisticated dramas. It reintroduces audiences to the fierce brilliance of Helen McCrory — a performer whose courage, talent, and humanity continue to shine long after the final credits roll.
