There are a lot of great Netflix series that fly under the radar, including ones that are just a single season yet keep you riveted from start to finish. One such series is Bodyguard, a British political thriller from ITV Studios for the BBC that stars Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden as British army war veteran David Budd, who is suffering from PTSD following his time in Afghanistan. As he navigates a new position back at home, he gets caught up in a tangled web of lies, deceit, and corruption that puts him and the political official he is tasked with protecting in danger.
The 2018 six-episode series has drawn comparisons to The Night Agent for its pacing, storyline, and the lead character’s journey. But it stands on its own with a compelling story from start to finish, making it an easy binge this weekend.
‘Bodyguard’ Is an Intense and Gripping Story of Political Intrigue
Bodyguard, one of the best political thrillers on Netflix, follows Police Sergeant David Budd (Madden), a veteran of the Afghanistan War who hasn’t been the same since returning. The slow-moving yet intense opening sequence grips you from the get-go when he realizes that a train he’s on may be the target of a suicide bomber. His calm, cool, and collected demeanor shows his strength and training as he stops the attack in the nick of time, saving everyone on board without causing a fuss or inciting panic.
This act of heroism leads to a promotion, but David has mixed feelings about serving as the personal security detail for Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes), whose policies he opposes. Nonetheless, he’s a consummate professional and soldier, and when he is given a job, he not only does it, but does so to the best of his abilities, with a level of politeness and charm that makes him tough not to like.
As David navigates this new position, he realizes there are threats to his life and that of his family as a result of the failed train bombing. The lies, deceit, and corruption run far deeper than he could ever have imagined. As he grows closer to Julia, the pair lean on one another in order to survive.
Where the story becomes especially intense is when David, who has been trying to do right by Julia, his family, and the country as a whole, ends up becoming a suspect in a massive terrorist plot. His mental state continues to deteriorate as he struggles with his symptoms of PTSD, at the same time as being labeled a villain. It doesn’t help that he’s dealing with the breakdown of his marriage, too. As he comes closer to death, no one is there to help David. He has become the enemy, despite his best efforts to prove his innocence.
‘Bodyguard’s Twist Will Give You Chills
As the story comes to an end, there’s a big plot twist that you won’t see coming, and that will leave chills running down your spine. Most notably, the tense final episode features a scene that keeps you on the edge of your seat, feeling every emotion and every second of danger and terror. It’s a twisty, shocking tale that weaves in so many political topics, from war to terrorism, from conspiracies to tragedy, from betrayal to trust. The show has earned a 93% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has quietly received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. It’s one of those shows you might intend to watch but never quite get around to. Now is the perfect time.
Melinda Houston and Debi Enker of the Sydney Morning Herald say that Madden “plays Budd like a time bomb poised to detonate, revealing a man scarred by his wartime experiences.” You can feel his desperation and the weight of depression in every moment. But it’s also carefully juxtaposed with his steadfast duty to serve his country, and all the people in it.
The series raises questions about the support of war and of veterans, as well as the prevalence of PTSD among veterans. David initially hesitates to take the job because Julia supported the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She also plans to update the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to allow public bodies to surveil and investigate electronic communications. He steadfastly believed that it was a threat to civil rights. The series provides both sides of the political story, sympathizing with David’s views without vilifying Julia’s.
Matt Roush of TV Insider describes the final episode as delivering a “crazy, nail-biting climax that is both preposterous and wholly satisfying.” “It went out,” adds Metro UK‘s Tilly Pearce, “guns blazing.”
If you’re looking for a juicy thriller that will hook you from start to finish, taking you on a wild emotional ride with action and danger at every turn, Bodyguard fits the bill. The six episodes run anywhere between 56 and 75 minutes each, so at three episodes a day, you’ll easily be done before the end of the weekend. Just start early or be prepared to lose some sleep. You might not be able to stop once you start, binging all the way through to find out what happens to David and Julia, and who is behind it all. Stream Bodyguard on Netflix.