Neflix Fans, This Serial Killer Drama with Shetland and Downton Abbey Stars Is a Must-Watch!
A grim, atmospheric British crime trilogy is heading to Netflix this month — and if you've never seen Red Riding, now's the time.
Originally released in 2009, the trilogy is based on the Red Riding Quartet novels by David Peace, and tells a fictionalized version of the Yorkshire Ripper investigation — layered with institutional rot, political corruption, and deeply flawed characters.
The full trilogy lands on Netflix July 18, and it's already being called a "macabre masterpiece" by fans who swear it's one of the best British crime dramas ever made.
The cast is stacked with talent from across British prestige TV:
- Sean Bean (Game of Thrones)
- Andrew Garfield (We Live in Time)
- Anthony Flanagan (Happy Valley)
- Steven Robertson (Shetland)
- Paddy Considine (House of the Dragon)
- Maxine Peake (Silk)
- David Morrissey (Sherwood)
- Jim Carter (Downton Abbey)
- Rebecca Hall (The Listeners)
- Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy)
- Daniel Mays (Line of Duty)
The Structure
The trilogy is made up of three feature-length films:
- Red Riding: 1974 – A young reporter (Andrew Garfield) investigates a string of child abductions and uncovers a web of corruption tied to a powerful developer (Sean Bean).
- Red Riding: 1980 – Paddy Considine plays a police investigator brought in to lead the Yorkshire Ripper case, but nothing adds up.
- Red Riding: 1983 – A decade later, another girl goes missing, raising doubts about whether the right man was ever caught.
Each installment has its own visual style and tone, directed by a different filmmaker — giving the series a unique, fractured feel that fits the story's unsettling themes.
What the Critics and Viewers Said
The trilogy holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and has quietly built a cult following over the years. Some viewer reactions:
- "A macabre masterpiece… expertly acted by everyone involved."
- "If you're a fan of dark noir crime drama, this is a must. Incredible cinematography."
- "Absolutely brilliant. Great acting. Highly recommended."
When It Hits Netflix
- All three films will be available to stream on July 18.
- Runtime per film: around 100 minutes.
- Streaming on: Netflix (UK and select international territories)
If you're into Happy Valley, Broadchurch, or True Detective season 1, Red Riding deserves a spot on your watchlist. Just maybe don't plan on sleeping right after.