Netflix has become known for its popular crime dramas, like The Night Agent and the recent Man on Fire. They added another one to their lineup on May 7th.
This popular crime series premiered to rave reviews and quickly became a critical success. Set in the early 1990s, it launched with a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The current rating is based on just 10 reviews, so it might change as more people share their thoughts. Right now, nine out of those ten reviews are positive. There isn’t an overall audience score available yet.
What Is Legends About?
As a film buff, I recently learned about an incredible true story from the early ’90s. British Customs was really struggling to stop drug smuggling, so they hatched this unbelievably daring plan. They took a small group of regular customs workers – not spies, just ordinary folks – and gave them completely new identities. Their mission? To go undercover and infiltrate the most dangerous drug gangs in the country. The catch? They weren’t just pretending; they had to become entirely new people, build completely fabricated histories – basically, become ‘legends’ in a whole new life. It’s a setup straight out of a movie!
While the series is a work of fiction, it’s inspired by the true story of courageous individuals who secretly investigated and put themselves in danger to expose criminal activity. The main character, Guy Stanton, is based on a real person whose book served as the foundation for the show.
I’ve often created shows based on famous events, focusing on the lesser-known stories behind them. This project is different. The accomplishments of the individuals involved – the ‘Legends’ – are almost completely unknown. There was a dedicated team responsible for these achievements, and they worked with very little public acknowledgement.
The cast of Legends features Tom Burke (known for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and Steve Coogan (The Reckoning), alongside Hayley Squires (Beau Is Afraid, I, Daniel Blake), Tom Hughes (The English, Victoria), Aml Ameen (A Man in Full, Rustin), Jasmine Blackborow (The Gentlemen, Marie Antoinette), Douglas Hodge (G20, Joker), Johnny Harris (A Gentleman in Moscow, Great Expectations), Gerald Kyd (The Assassin, Love Rat), Numan Acar (In the Fade, Homeland), Charlotte Ritchie (You, Ghosts), Joshua Samuels (The Gold), Kem Hassan (The Sandman, Vera), and Thomas Coombes (Baby Reindeer, Luther: The Fallen Sun).
What Are Critics Saying About Legends?
Critics loved the series, calling it highly entertaining and enjoyable. Rebecca Nicholson of the Financial Times described it as “outstanding TV, elegant and composed, and it doesn’t let go of your attention for a moment.”
In a review for Variety, Alison Herman praised Legends, noting that it’s so enjoyable it allows viewers to overlook the serious dangers the characters face – and that’s exactly what makes it work.
In a review for the Irish Times, Ed Power acknowledged that true crime can sometimes exploit tragedy, but praised the thriller Legends for its surprising success in portraying customs and excise officers as both intriguing and glamorous.
Legends is streaming on Netflix.
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2026-05-09 00:18