A television thriller starring a familiar face from Downton Abbey has become an unexpected success on Netflix, racing into the platform's top 10 chart in the United Kingdom. However, the show's surge in popularity comes alongside a wave of criticism from some viewers who have branded it predictable.
From Downton to a Dark Thriller
The series in question is Captivated, which originally aired on Channel 5 under the title Too Good To Be True. The four-part drama features Allen Leech, best known for playing Tom Branson in the hit period series, in a starkly different role. Leech, 44, plays Elliot, a wealthy businessman who offers a lucrative cleaning job to single mother Rachel, portrayed by EastEnders star Kara Tointon.
Rachel, struggling to make ends meet, accepts the position but soon grows suspicious of Elliot's motives as she becomes entangled in his affairs. The official synopsis promises a twisty narrative where not everything is as it seems.
A Chart Success Amidst Viewer Division
Despite its recent addition to Netflix, the show has swiftly climbed to second place in the UK's Top 10 list, demonstrating significant viewer interest. The cast also includes notable names such as Sara Powell (Silent Witness), Taj Atwal (Line of Duty), and John Thomson (Coronation Street).
Yet, this chart success stands in contrast to the mixed reception from audiences. On review site IMDb, where the series holds a rating of 5.6, some viewers have been scathing. One user, antide-47567, commented that the plot was "very predictable and some of it makes no sense at all". Another, Vindelander, called it an "utter waste of time", criticising its "paper thin and entirely predictable plot".
Praise Amongst the Criticism
Not all feedback has been negative, however. Some viewers have defended the series, suggesting it surpassed their expectations. A reviewer named Sleepin_Dragon acknowledged the harsh critiques but found the show "watchable". Similarly, Chloe Galley urged others not to be "fooled" by the low rating, stating it was "surprisingly good".
Another supporter, Gvbackel, highlighted the engaging character dynamics, noting, "I was captivated by this series... it was the interplay between the mother, her son, and her best friend, that I found endearing." This division highlights the subjective nature of the thriller genre and how a show can find a substantial audience even without universal acclaim.
The success of Captivated on Netflix follows a pattern of series performing well on streaming platforms despite middling critical scores, similar to the recent performance of Emily in Paris season five, which topped charts globally despite poor reviews.
Captivated, originally Too Good To Be True, is available to stream now on Netflix.
