logo
TV fans are completely hooked after just one episode of ‘superb' thriller

TV fans are completely hooked after just one episode of ‘superb' thriller

Metro13-05-2025
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
A twisty new Channel 5 thriller has been hailed as a 'sheer joy to watch' by viewers.
The Game tells the story of Huw Miller (Jason Watkins), a retired police detective still haunted by the one case he failed to solve – a stalker who taunted his town, mercilessly toying with his victims before eventually killing them.
When new neighbour Patrick Harbottle (Robson Green) moves in and utters the chilling phrase 'catch you later' – the sign off the stalker used to taunt Huw during the investigation – Huw is determined he's finally got his man.
What follows is a high-stakes game of psychological chess between the two neighbours as Huw's world begins to crumble around him.
On X, viewers hailed The Game as 'superb' after watching the first episode last night.
Among them is @terrettcorey, who said: 'Really enjoyed #TheGame on Channel 5. Tense, twisty and thrilling. Robson Green still has it.'
Echoing their sentiment, @Johnboy_Cook wrote: 'Jason Watkins is just superb in everything. #TheGame.'
@DebbieBlackma14 commented: 'I already love the premise of it. Hooked already #TheGame.'
@SouthernCazza1 also added: '#TheGame is going to be a sheer joy to watch. A stellar cast and a storyline that's already sucking us in and it's not even begun yet! Pure kudos.'
However, not everyone was sold on The Game, including @CheNirvana, who said: 'Channel 5 drama team seem to be obsessed with paranoid neighbours and voyeurism. We had the partner swapping one a while back .. then the magpies one with Jill Halfpenny the other week .. Now an ex-cop with a thorn in his side. How about a new idea? Shake things up. #TheGame.'
@Invisible_Lady1 commented: 'Another @channel5 drama that we'll all pick holes in on X but will be hooked until the end. #TheGame.'
@sajamor added: '#thegame I might go back if I read a review which shows this first episode's got better. So far it's been a real bore with the only likeable character being killed off. Perhaps he had the right idea sparing himself any more of life in that road!.'
Speaking about The Game, Robson, 60, described the cat and mouse thriller as 'an unforgettable journey.'
He said: 'The psychological thriller aspect of the story promises to be a gripping ride, and I can't wait to dive into the cat-and-mouse dynamics that [screenwriter] Tom Grieves has crafted. It's going to be an unforgettable journey.'
The Game is not the only Channel 5 thriller to have gripped viewers.
They admitted they were afraid of approaching their neighbours after watching the suburbia crime drama The Feud.
Starring Jill Halfpenny and Rupert Penry-Jones as couple Emma and John, the five-parter follows their idyllic family life — which implodes after they decide to add a kitchen extension to their home.
Emma and John's once friendly neighbours, including Sonia (Amy Nuttall), Alan (Ray Fearon) and Barbara (Tessa Peake-Jones), turn nasty when their planning application is submitted, setting in motion events that have dark consequences for the entire neighbourhood.
The synopsis adds: 'Laced with menace, The Feud reveals how Emma's aspirational dream turns sharply into obsession, paranoia, and fear.' More Trending
On X, viewers said The Feud had made them think twice about their own living arrangements.
Among them was @KathrynAnneTM, who said: 'This is why you should never get to pally with your neighbours #TheFeud'
@StevenRoutledg7 added: 'Is suburbia always this ghastly #thefeud.'
The Game continues tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
View More »
MORE: Jo Joyner: 'People think my TV thriller is the new Big Little Lies – I'm flattered'
MORE: 'Compelling' thriller lands 100% Rotten Tomatoes score after two-year wait for season 2
MORE: All 8 episodes of 'exceptional' thriller finally dropping on streamer for free
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Astronomy HR director Kristin Cabot resigns after Coldplay kiss cam scandal
Astronomy HR director Kristin Cabot resigns after Coldplay kiss cam scandal

Metro

time3 minutes ago

  • Metro

Astronomy HR director Kristin Cabot resigns after Coldplay kiss cam scandal

Kristin Cabot has resigned from her role as head of HR at Astronomy in the wake of the Cold play kiss cam scandal. It comes days after the US company's CEO Andy Byron also quit, after the company announced he would be placed on leave and investigated. The pair were caught embracing on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert in Boston, before abruptly trying hide. The clip, in which Chris Martin can be heard jokingly questioning whether they're having an affair, was shared online and quickly went viral. Internet sleuths soon worked out who the pair were and that Byron was indeed married to another woman, Megan Kerrigan Byron. Cue many, many memes and jokes at Byron and Cabot's expense. Astronomy has now confirmed in statements to several news sites that that Cabot no longer works for the company. After Byron stepped down, the company, which deals with data, analytics and artificial intelligence, announced co-founder and chief product officer Pete DeJoy had been appointed interim CEO. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The firm posted on LinkedIn:'As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding 'Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met. 'Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. 'The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.' Meanwhile DeJoy said in an update: 'The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies – let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world – ever encounter.' The clip was filmed by, Grace Springer, 28, from New Jersey, who stood by her decision to share it online. She told The U.S. Sun: 'I had no idea who the couple was. Just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it. More Trending 'A part of me feels bad for turning these people's lives upside down, but, play stupid games… win stupid prizes. 'I hope their partners can heal from this and get a second chance at the happiness they deserve with their future still in front of them.' The Metro has contacted Astronomy for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.

Rachel Zegler replaced during Evita interval in last second change
Rachel Zegler replaced during Evita interval in last second change

Metro

time3 hours ago

  • Metro

Rachel Zegler replaced during Evita interval in last second change

Fans have praised Rachel Zegler's Evita understudy as she was forced to step up halfway through Thursday's performance. The 24-year-old Hollywood star has been starring as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's new production of Evita at the London Palladium and she took to the stage as normal last night. However, during the interval audience members were informed she was being replaced by actress Bella Brown, whose entrance to the audience was the balcony scene performing Don't Cry For Me Argentina. She shared on her Instagram Story: 'Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry!! They are the pillars of the show!! A proud day to be at @officialevita.' Rachel and the official Evita account are yet to comment on the change, and no reason has been given by Bella or audience members. The cover actress, who played the Mistress in act one, wrote: 'What a lucky audience getting to see both myself and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!! (sic)' 'I really hope Rachel is all right!! Love to Bella Brown,' wrote @Hazel2410 on X, while @dankblonde1 said: 'I really hope Rachel Zegler is ok..' 'Okay so mid show switch, both rachel and bella brown were UNREAL,' tweeted @MyriadNice, as others heaped praise on Bella for stepping up. 'Bella was an absolute joy to watch the second act, completely erased any disappointment of not seeing rachel again. She has a huge career ahead of her,' wrote @MizHafHaf. They added in another post: 'It was amazing seeing Rachel tonight, but Bella Brown was SENSATIONAL. I'm actually glad we got to see her do the second act!' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video And audience member @KentWomble said: 'Well! @EvitaMusical was epic. Fantastic production. Rachel Zegler only managed the first half before her understudy Bella Brown took over after the interval and got six curtain calls at the end.' Rachel's run in Evita has captured the imagination of audiences, including the now-infamous creative decision for her to perform the iconic balcony scene outside the front of the theatre. Theatregoers have watched the key moment on a screen inside the theatre, while huge crowds have gathered in the streets to witness the special moment. 'Rachel Zegler is absolutely amazing in it. I'm only a little bit worried that it might get out of hand,' Andrew Lloyd Webber recently said on Good Morning Britain. More Trending Fans have pointed out that Jamie Lloyd's production choice actually mirrors Eva's kinship with the poor people in Argentina. The iconic composer added: 'The crowds now turning up outside the Palladium, now the audience in the theatre sees the crowd outside, and it's kinda like the real deal.' Metro has contacted reps for Rachel Zegler and the London Palladium for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Gripping action prequel soars up Netflix charts as fans declare it 'best in franchise'

Amazon Prime's ‘dark' new crime thriller shocked me for an unexpected reason
Amazon Prime's ‘dark' new crime thriller shocked me for an unexpected reason

Metro

time3 hours ago

  • Metro

Amazon Prime's ‘dark' new crime thriller shocked me for an unexpected reason

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This Metro review is based on three out of six episodes. I love a good thriller. Who doesn't? The way that the high-octane action sends adrenaline racing through your veins. The cliché tropes that you can see coming from a mile away, but that you can't help but lap up all the same. Going into The Assassin, starring Bodyguard's Keeley Hawes and The Good Doctor's Freddie Highmore, I was expecting to enjoy it. But the impact it had on me took me off guard in a way I wasn't expecting. The new Amazon Prime series created by The Tourist's Harry and Jack Williams isn't just packed with gripping twists and stunt choreography that'll have you on the edge of your seat. It's also funny. And not just enough to spark a light chuckle. It's funny in a quintessentially British fashion, with humour that's dry and relatable. I was sucked in straight away. In a tale that one YouTube user commenting on the trailer described as 'Lara Croft meets Norman Bates', referencing roles previously played by Keeley and Freddie, The Assassin follows a former hitwoman who's forced to come out of retirement. Julie (Keeley) is the titular assassin, who's been out of the business for years and, in the present day, has a grown-up son called Edward (Freddie). The pair have a fractured relationship, especially considering how reluctant Julie is to divulge any details on the identity of Edward's father, a mystery that will undoubtedly unravel as the series goes on. Having not seen his mum in a while, Edward pays her a visit on the remote Greek island where she's now living. What begins as an awkward meet-up between an estranged mother and son quickly turns into a fight for their lives when a terrifying incident occurs. Amid the chaos while they're on the run, Julie finally reveals to her son what she used to do for a living, having previously told him that she was a headhunter (not the most inaccurate description of her profession). But the uber-cautious journalist Edward also has secrets of his own that he has been keeping concealed. It's mind-boggling to me that Freddie, 33, and Keeley, 49, haven't worked together before when their on-screen chemistry is this dynamic. Metro had the opportunity to attend an early screening of the first episode of The Assassin, followed by a Q&A session with the writers and actors. Even there in London's Soho Hotel, you could tell how in tune the pair were with each other, making it clear why they work so well as an on-screen mother-son duo. We recently spoke to Freddie (more on that to come), during which he explained how he and Keeley had been on the same page from the get-go. I hope we get to see them work together again in the future. The Assassin begins all guns blazing – literally – with a flashback to Julie's past, when she's still in full swing as a highly-trained assassin in her younger years (played by Georgina Bitmead). Fast-forward three decades, and her days as an unstoppable killing machine are behind her. Or so it would seem. Shortly after Edward arrives on the Greek island where she now lives, Julie is reluctantly drawn back into her former profession. But the mission she's been tasked with doesn't go to plan, and she goes from being the predator to the prey, with Edward in tow. Keeley and Freddie are joined in the cast by actors including Shalom Brune-Franklin as Kayla, Devon Terrell as Ezra, Alan Dale as Aaron Cross, Jack Davenport as Sean, and Gina Gershon as Marie. Julie's failed mission appears to be connected to secretive business dealings, as well as a tech whiz called Jasper (David Dencik), who's been holed up in an Albanian prison. More Trending I was immediately enraptured by The Assassin's fast-paced action and cleverly choreographed fight sequences, as well as the wry British wit embodied by Julie and Edward as they strive to make something of their awkward relationship. Despite the wild twists and turns of the story, it still feels relatable and grounded at its core. Julie's no-nonsense wisecracks are a joy to watch, as is Edward's bumbling nature as he's forced to grapple with his entire world being flipped upside down. While he's the sensible one, his mother lives life on the reckless side – an entertaining subversion of the typical roles played by a parent and child. It's Mamma Mia combined with Taken, with a dash of Black Doves thrown in for good measure. Having only seen the first three episodes out of six so far, I feel as though the series still has room to grow to give me the level of TV-watching satisfaction that I crave as an avid fan of the genre. I can't predict how the show will end – but I'm firmly strapped in. View More » The Assassin is now available to watch on Prime Video in the UK & Ireland. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Best crime thriller of 2025' tops Netflix charts with nearly 25,000,000 views MORE: Amazon Prime adds 'addictive' TV drama that viewers can't stop watching MORE: 9 deliciously bleak films and where to stream them after 'soul-crushing' new horror

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store