Netflix’s high-stakes ’90s-set British crime drama gets first look with tense new trailer

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Netflix has released a first look at its new British crime series, Legends, set in the 1990s. The six-episode show, starring Tom Burke and Steve Coogan, premieres on Thursday, May 7th. The trailer released today reveals the series follows a group of ordinary people who become spies and target the UK’s most dangerous drug operation.

The new series is based on a truly incredible real-life criminal case. It begins in the early 1990s, when British customs officials were struggling to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the country.

The outcome was remarkable. A select group of Customs officers went undercover in a highly confidential operation, tasked with exposing and dismantling Britain’s most dangerous drug networks.

So, here’s the deal: these weren’t your typical secret agents. They weren’t professionals or anything. They were just regular people – folks like you and me, from all over the UK – who got thrown into a crash course and told to create completely new lives for themselves… but inside the criminal world. They called these fake lives ‘Legends’, which is pretty cool, honestly.

Burke will play Guy, a character described as a discontented airport baggage checker and a frustrated husband and father who believes he has untapped potential.

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The actor hinted at his character’s motivations, explaining that the appeal of a recruitment poster asking ‘Could you offer more?’ resonates with many people. He described a sense that the character feels unfulfilled, like he hasn’t reached his full potential, and that this feeling stems from a part of himself he’s either suppressed or that society has suppressed.

He’s definitely a thrill-seeker. While many people might be satisfied with a simple bungee jump, he needs something more extreme. It feels like he has to push himself to the limit before he can truly move forward with his life.

Charlotte Richie, known from Call the Midwife, will join the cast alongside Burke and Coogan, playing the character Sophie. Hayley Squires will play Kate, Tom Hughes will be Carter, and Aml Ameen will play Bailey.

Neil Forsyth, the writer and creator of the new series (also known for The Gold), explained that he often focuses on telling the lesser-known stories behind famous events. He shared, “I’ve done this with shows before, exploring what happened away from the headlines.”

What makes this special is that the work of the Legends is largely unknown. A small, dedicated team created it all, and they did so with very little public acknowledgement.

Legends will debut on Thursday 7 May on Netflix.

The latest issue of Living Legends is available now! This special 100-page, full-color magazine celebrates the incredible life and work of Sir David Attenborough. You can find it at newsstands or order it online.

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2026-04-09 18:19