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Mar 24 | 2 min readBodyguard: If you like the BBC One drama, you’ll love... Line of Duty, Marcella and Unforgotten
Need a new thriller while Bodyguard series 2 is being made? Here are seven shows to keep you going.
BBC One’s Bodyguard kept us enthralled from the moment it first aired, picking up a hefty sweep of awards along the way.
The viewing figures made it the most-watched drama series of 2018, with the first episode receiving a consolidated figure of 10.4 million viewers - the highest launch of any new drama on UK TV for over a decade.
In the show, British actress Keeley Hawes plays Home Secretary Julia Montague, with Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden starring as her Personal Protection Officer, David Budd.
Each episode reveals further complexities between the pair's professional and personal relationships as they find themselves at the heart of a web of intrigue that involves the security services and the police as well as politicians and civil servants within Westminster itself.
The explosive finale was seen by 17.1 million people, taking into account live viewing, plus catch up on non-TV devices.
While the Beeb have yet to confirm a second run, the show's writer Jed Mercurio has previously said he's keen to bring series two to our screens.
If you've finished Bodyguard and it's whetted your appetite for more drama on your TV screens, here are seven of the best TV shows to watch in the meantime.
Line of Duty
How can I watch it?
Series 1-4 are available to stream now on Netflix. Series 5 is available to buy on Amazon Video.
What’s it about?
DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) is transferred to the police anti-corruption unit after the death of a man in a mistaken shooting during a counter-terrorist operation.
Why should I watch it?
If you liked Bodyguard, you’ll love Line of Duty. Jed Mercurio created both shows, and Keeley Hawes (Julia Montague in Bodyguard) and Gina McKee (police chief Anne Sampson in the same show) both appear. Line of Duty features even more plot twists and shocking moments than Bodyguard, and the show has been nominated for three BAFTA TV Awards since its 2012 inception, while its stars have also picked up BAFTA nods too.
Marcella
How can I watch it?
Airing originally on ITV, series 1 and 2 are available to stream for Netflix customers.
What’s it about?
Set in London, Anna Friel plays Marcella Backland, a Metropolitan Police Officer who left the force for the sake of her family, only to have her husband subsequently leave her. She returns to her job on the murder squad to investigate a case that seems disturbingly familiar to her.
Why should I watch it?
Marcella is written by Hans Rosenfeldt, acclaimed writer of The Bridge, so expect a Scandinavian noir set on the streets of Britain. If you enjoy the action-packed cliffhangers of Bodyguard, expect the same from Marcella. Although a third series is yet to be confirmed, Hans has said he'd like to write it.
Unforgotten
How can I watch it?
Series 1-2 are available to stream on Netflix, and you can buy all three series on Prime Video. Season 4 is not currently streaming.
What’s it about?
This British crime drama follows two London detectives, DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar), as they work to solve cases involving disappearances and murders, unravelling secrets left buried for years.
Why should I watch it?
The show has been given a five-star rating by The Guardian, The Telegraph and Daily Mail. Plus, if you’ve watched Line of Duty, you’ll recognise a certain Mark Bonnar from both shows.
Jack Ryan
How can I watch it?
Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming now on Prime Video.
What’s it about?
CIA analyst Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) stumbles upon a suspicious series of bank transfers and his search for answers pulls him from the safety of his desk job and across Europe and the Middle East - as a rising terrorist figurehead prepares for a massive attack against the US.
Why should I watch it?
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is an action-packed CIA thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats through every twist and turn.
Homeland
How can I watch it?
Series 1 to 7 are available to stream now on Netflix.
What’s it about?
CIA operative Carrie Mathison (played by Claire Danes) becomes convinced a prisoner of war has been turned by Al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil.
Why should I watch it?
If you like the national security elements of Bodyguard, Homeland is one for you. The US show has won five Golden Globe and eight Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Best Actor gongs for Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, testament to its gripping storylines and stellar acting.
House of Cards
How can I watch it?
Series 1-6 are available to stream on Netflix now.
What’s it about?
US Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) works with his equally conniving wife Claire (Robin Wright) to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.
Why should I watch it?
While the first five seasons revolve around Frank, the sixth sees Robin Wright’s character Claire taking the reins to explosive effect.
Undercover
How can I watch it?
It’s available to buy and keep on the BT TV Store now.
What’s it about?
Defence lawyer Maya Cobbina (Sophie Okonedo) tries to finally uncover the truth of an old miscarriage of justice, while her husband Nick Johnson (Adrian Lester) goes to any lengths to conceal the truth about his own past.
Why should I watch it?
This hidden gem of a mini-series drama is directed by Peter Moffat - the acclaimed writer and producer behind Silk and The Night Of.
