This 'outstanding' British drama starring Peter Capaldi needs to be your next Netflix binge


The BBC's acclaimed anthology series, Accused, is leaving Netflix in September. The series boasts a star-studded cast including Peter Capaldi, Olivia Colman, Sheridan Smith and more


Peter Capaldi, with short gray hair, wearing a dark jacket, looks serious in a red-lit setting.© BBC
Nicky Morris
Nicky MorrisActing TV and Film Editor
50 minutes ago

The BBC's acclaimed legal drama, Accused, is leaving Netflix in September, leaving viewers with just two weeks to binge-watch both seasons. 

The anthology series, which aired for two seasons in 2010 and 2012, follows various characters accused of crimes as they await the verdict of their trial. Each episode focuses on a different case, revealing how the individual came to be accused. 

Peter was the lead singer and guitarist in a punk rock band Dreamboys© Getty Images
Peter Capaldi stars in season one

The show boasts a star-studded cast, including Peter Capaldi, Olivia Colman, Sheridan Smith and Christopher Eccleston, and comes from award-winning writer Jimmy McGovern, creator of the smash-hit crime drama Time. Count me in!

With the clock ticking until the series is removed from Netflix on 9 September, find out all you need to know here…

WATCH: The trailer for Accused season 2

What is Accused about? 

Each episode tells a different story about an ordinary person who ends up in the dock. 

The synopsis continues: "But should these men and women be there? Are they innocent or guilty or somewhere in-between? As each hour long episode unravels we see how these people became the accused and finally whether they walk free or go down…"

Olivia Colman appears in season two© Getty Images
Olivia Colman appears in season two

The first episode stars Christopher Eccleston as a "decent man in turmoil," while episode two features Mackenzie Crook in the story of two friends who join the British army and soon discover that disobeying orders has deadly consequences.

In the third episode, Juliet Stevenson and Peter Capaldi play two parents whose son is fatally injured at work, while episode four sees Andy Serkis play a cab driver "desperate to escape the drudgery of his life". 

The synopsis continues: "Marc Warren plays a father who acts against his better judgment in episode five and Naomie Harris and Warren Brown play parents whose fall out leads to foul play in the sixth and final episode."

What have viewers said about Accused?

The series received high praise from viewers upon its release. One person hailed the drama as "absolutely outstanding," while another noted the "excellent" performances and script. 

Christopher Eccleston poses for a photo prior to Fantastic! A Conversation with Christopher Eccleston conversation at the New York Comic Con at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 03, 2019© Craig Barritt
Christopher Eccleston plays an ordinary man in turmoil

The show was also met with wide critical acclaim, winning the award for Best Drama Series at the 2011 International Emmy Awards, and two awards at the 2013 Royal Television Society Awards.

Following its success in the UK, Fox ordered an American adaptation of the series, which starred Suits actor Patrick J Adams, How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders, comedian Whitney Cummings and more. 

Who stars in Accused? 

The series boasts a seriously stacked cast, featuring Christopher Eccleston, Mackenzie Crook, Juliet Stevenson, Peter Capaldi, Andy Serkis, Marc Warren, Naomie Harris, Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. 

Sheridan Smith has also worked with celebrity fitness trainers to maintain her health © Mike Marsland/WireImage
Sheridan Smith also stars in the series

Other cast members include Anne-Marie Duff, Olivia Colman, John Bishop, Robert Sheehan, Moir McCallum, Anna Maxwell Martin and Sheridan Smith. 

How to watch Accused

The final day to watch Accused is 9 September. The series is also available to stream on ITVX. 

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