‘Enthralling' Stephen Graham thriller that's ‘better than you think' is streaming for free
A hidden gem of a thriller series featuring Stephen Graham and Line of Duty's Vicky McClure has just landed on ITVX.
Despite the 2016 drama not receiving widespread critical praise, a dedicated group of fans insist this unconventional thriller is definitely worth your time.
Unlike many contemporary thrillers, this three-part series, originally broadcast on BBC One, transports the drama to the Victorian era for a riveting story of espionage and anarchy.
In The Secret Agent, based on the Joseph Conrad novel of the same name, Toby Jones takes on the role of Mr Anton Verloc, the proprietor of a seedy Soho shop who is covertly being paid to spy on revolutionaries by the Russian government.
When Verloc is pressured into committing an act of terrorism, he inadvertently pulls his family, including wife Winnie (portrayed by McClure) and her autistic brother Stevie (Charlie Hamblett), into a conflict simmering beneath London's streets, reports the Express.
Meanwhile, Adolescence star Graham plays Chief Inspector Heat, a London copper with a deep disdain for anarchists.
Although it didn't resonate with audiences upon its initial release, fans of the spy genre have gradually stumbled upon this slow-burn thriller over the years - and now you can watch it without spending a penny.
One fan described the series on IMDb at the time as: "Dark, bleak, brooding but really good!"
Awarding the drama a score of 9/10, their review continued: "Finished watching the last episode last night and what a bleak ending!
"I thought the whole cast were fantastic, Toby Jones can do little wrong for me. Vicky McClure as the loyal, trusting Winnie was brilliant too.
"There is no happy ending where the good guys win or a moral tale that leaves you feeling good about yourself! It's a gritty, realistic story of desperate people trying to survive and succeed in a terrible situation. Loved it."
Another strong review claimed The Secret Agent is "Much Better Than Some Would Have You Think".
"I'm puzzled by the reviews that claim all of Conrad's brilliant story have been abandoned," they continued. "Utterly untrue. All the main points of the original story are here.
"The betrayals, the ethical compromises, the cowardice. Not a single one missing."
And a final viewer declared: "This is a totally enthralling production.
"I have to read the book now to find out if the original story follows this script. The acting is excellent.
"Toby Jones and all the cast give marvellous performances. I would highly recommend this."
After bowling over fans with Adolescence, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Line of Duty, make sure you check out this trio of stars' equally gripping performances in this forgotten drama.
The Secret Agent is available to stream on ITVX.
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