Netflix chose to broadcast the hit British series Bodyguard, while the latter was a hit on the BBC channel. The screenplay tells the story of David Budd, a former soldier now a police officer, who is entrusted with the protection of Julia Montague, British Home Secretary. History is littered with cases of terrorism and political corruption. From the first episode, the viewer is immersed in the action, alongside David Budd who discovers an attempted attack on a train to London. The first few minutes are heavy and set the tone of the series.
Throughout the episodes, it is a dark atmosphere that is described by Jed Mercurio, the director. Everything is very realistic and screaming truths. The scenes are very worked with a musical and visual atmosphere. The pressure continues to mount as the policeman discovers who sinks a little deeper into the meanders of political corruption.
Brilliant acting
We catch ourselves holding our breath many times. This thriller in addition to being entertaining and addictive, is also a true masterpiece by the play of the different actors and the direction. We discover an unrecognizable Richard Madden and far from his role in Game of Thrones. He plays here a veteran, victim of post-traumatic stress disorder who must protect the Minister of the Interior. His game is incredibly accurate, he does not fall into any of the clichés of the policeman that we find in some series. He adds a complex psychological aspect to the character as he is torn by his feelings for Julia Montague. As he discovers the political conspiracy in which he is entangled, we see him evolve, reveal himself and adapt to the situation. He knows how to navigate between very opposite feelings such as psychological fragility in the face of a form of violence and composure.
The story is also marked by strong female characters like Julia Montague played by Keeley Hawes. The politician is the center of attention and becomes the cornerstone of all the events that unfold over the episodes. It is his fate that will tip the series into a new story, even darker. That's what makes this series so interesting: the presence of female characters in political and national security decision-making. The direction has very well balanced the cast to give a perfect mix of actors.
A continuous heavy atmosphere
The series reaches its climax in the final episode of more than an hour where David Budd must prove his innocence. The tension is at its peak and only subsides at the very end. This shows the realism of this series and its success in keeping the viewer in suspense throughout the story. The delicate subject of terrorism is dealt with here with perfect accuracy. No false notes or exaggerated interpretations disturb the story, which seems to be a feat! Jed Mercurio has managed to make a clever mix between Homeland and House of Cards.
The denouement and the discovery of the plot call into question the whole series and that's the whole point of the series. Throughout the episodes, we try to make hypotheses that are most often contradicted by events. The truth only comes out at the very end, causing a real surprise. The series is built like a pyramid where every action will have an impact and serve a future purpose. All the elements, even trivial, end up resonating, which attracts even more attention, because we find ourselves observing all the scenes, looking for clues. Each piece of information collected by the police gives access to an ever-growing network and the whole story is unlocked at the end to fully enlighten the viewer.
Netflix has therefore achieved a masterstroke by broadcasting this British drama that has already made a real hit in England and promises to have many fans around the world.
Trailer: Bodyguard
