“Disturbing” British ’80s-set crime drama with David Morrissey and Daniel Mays is now on Netflix

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As a game enthusiast, I’m excited to share that I’ve just discovered “Red Riding,” a gripping British crime drama, featuring David Morrissey and Daniel Mays, is now streaming on Netflix. If you’re into intense storylines and top-notch acting, this one’s definitely worth your time!

In my perspective as an ardent admirer, I’d describe this captivating limited series as a three-part exploration, drawing inspiration from David Peace’s compelling novel collection. Each episode is a standalone feature-length drama, meticulously set in specific years – 1974, 1980, and 1983 – serving as a vivid portrayal of police corruption, all unfolding amidst the haunting Yorkshire Ripper murders.

Initially broadcast on Channel 4 back in 2009, the period crime drama has recently moved to its new online platform in the United Kingdom. As of this week, all three episodes can be streamed on Netflix.

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This series showcases an impressive ensemble of actors, with Morrissey portraying Maurice Jobson throughout the entirety of the three episodes. Mays is present in both 1974 and 1983, while other notable names like Andrew Garfield, Sean Bean, Paddy Considine, Maxine Peake, Eddie Marsan, and Michelle Dockery also appear.

Each of the three films, namely those from 1974, 1980, and 1983, have garnered significant praise, with Rotten Tomatoes currently indicating approval ratings of 100%, 93%, and 92% respectively, based on a total of 41 reviews combined.

In 1974, the Austin Chronicle described this as a hard-boiled style of storytelling, where the tenacious but troubled investigative journalist often finds himself on the receiving end of brutal punches. The newspaper also praised the series for its skillfully arranged plot and striking visuals that leave one momentarily stunned.

In their review, the publication praised its sequel from 1980, stating: “[It] doesn’t focus on the exciting aspects of crime investigations. Viewers can certainly attempt to solve the mystery themselves; the evidence is provided, but understanding it requires viewing the trilogy as a whole to make sense of the puzzle pieces.

In the final installment, titled “1983“, critics also offered praise. One critic wrote: “It continues to provide fulfillment by resolving numerous plot mysteries and reinforcing the overarching themes across the three movies.

Similarly, a broad range of viewers appreciated the limited series, as evidenced by the ratings of 6.9, 7.1, and 7.1 (out of 10) on IMDb, based on more than 33,000 reviews spread across the three episodes.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but echo the sentiments shared by fellow viewers. The gripping portrayal of police corruption in films like “1974” and the intense struggle for revenge and justice have left an indelible impact that transcends the film’s conclusion. On one hand, a viewer expressed how deeply moved they were by “1974“, while on the other, another found “1983” to be both “brutal” and “disturbing”.

Red Riding is streaming now on Netflix.

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2025-07-18 18:19