Acclaimed BBC Anthology Drama ‘Accused’ Lands on Netflix UK: A Star-Studded Revival After 13 Years
As the chill of winter sets in and viewers seek compelling stories to binge from the comfort of their sofas, Netflix has delivered a timely gift for British drama enthusiasts. The critically acclaimed BBC One anthology series Accused, created by renowned screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, has made its debut on the streaming platform in the UK, bringing both seasons – a total of 10 gripping episodes – to a new generation of audiences.
Originally airing between 2010 and 2012, Accused quickly established itself as one of the most thought-provoking crime dramas of its era. Each standalone episode opens in a courtroom, with the defendant awaiting their verdict in the dock. Through flashbacks, the story unfolds, revealing the complex chain of events, moral dilemmas, and human frailties that led an ordinary person to be accused of a serious crime. The format leaves viewers questioning notions of guilt, innocence, and justice – are the accused truly culpable, or victims of circumstance?
McGovern, known for his hard-hitting scripts in series like The Street, Time, and Unforgivable, crafted Accused to explore the grey areas of morality without easy answers. “Just crime and punishment – the two things that matter most in any crime drama,” McGovern has said of his approach. The series was produced by RSJ Films and filmed primarily in Manchester, adding an authentic grit to its narratives.
The first season, comprising six episodes, premiered on BBC One in November 2010 to widespread praise. It featured a powerhouse cast, including Christopher Eccleston (known for Doctor Who) as Willy Houlihan, a lapsed Catholic plumber facing financial desperation who makes a fateful decision involving his daughter’s wedding. Other standout stories included Benjamin Smith’s portrayal of Frankie Nash, a young British Army corporal pushed to the brink after witnessing horrors in Afghanistan; Mackenzie Crook as a lance corporal in the same episode; Juliet Stevenson in a haunting tale of loss and revenge; Andy Serkis and Marc Warren in a prison-set drama exploring loyalty and betrayal; and Naomie Harris (Academy Award nominee for Moonlight) in a story of infidelity and tragedy. Peter Capaldi, Tina O’Brien, and future Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker also appeared, showcasing the depth of British talent.
The second season, reduced to four episodes and airing in August 2012, upped the ante with even more stellar performances. Olivia Colman, fresh off early successes and before her Oscar win for The Favourite, delivered a BAFTA-winning turn as Sue Brown, a school dinner lady entangled in a web of deception alongside Anne-Marie Duff. Sean Bean portrayed Simon Gaskell/Tracie Tremarco, a transvestite English teacher in a poignant exploration of identity and obsession, co-starring Stephen Graham. Sheridan Smith shone in a story of youthful rebellion and consequences, while Anna Maxwell Martin brought intensity to a narrative of family secrets and desperation. Other notable appearances included Robert Sheehan, Joe Dempsie, and John Bishop.
Accused garnered significant accolades during its original run. In 2011, it received a BAFTA TV Award nomination, and Christopher Eccleston won Best Actor at the International Emmy Awards, with the series itself taking home Best Drama Series. The following year, Olivia Colman earned Best Supporting Actress at both the BAFTA TV Awards and the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, while Sean Bean secured another International Emmy for Best Actor.
The series’ arrival on Netflix UK on September 10, 2025, came with little initial fanfare but quickly propelled it up the charts, peaking at number two worldwide and later settling in the top five. Viewers have hailed it as “captivating from start to finish” and “British television at its finest,” drawing comparisons to intense procedurals like Mindhunter and emotional dramas like Broadchurch. With a 7.9/10 rating on IMDb from over 3,200 reviews and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, its resurgence has introduced McGovern’s nuanced storytelling to binge-watchers discovering it for the first time.
The anthology format makes Accused perfect for episodic viewing – no need to commit to a long arc, yet the cumulative emotional weight builds across seasons. Themes of class, mental health, identity, war trauma, and familial pressure remain strikingly relevant today, resonating amid ongoing discussions of justice and morality in the true crime era.
An American remake aired on Fox in 2023-2024, featuring stars like Michael Chiklis and Felicity Huffman, but purists argue nothing matches the raw authenticity of the British original.
For those wrapping up summer and diving into autumn viewing, Accused offers a masterclass in acting and writing. Both seasons are now streaming exclusively on Netflix in the UK, inviting viewers to sit in judgment alongside the jury – and perhaps question their own verdicts.
As one recent viewer posted online: “Blown away! This is what happens when top writers and Britain’s most impressive actors come together.” With its quiet drop turning into a streaming sensation, Accused proves that great drama never truly goes out of fashion.
