Fans of tense, high-stakes television have a new binge-worthy option this December, as the complete crime drama StartUp has landed on the streaming service ITVX. The series, which originally premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2016, features Martin Freeman in a standout role far removed from his famous turn as Dr John Watson in Sherlock.
A Miami-set Tale of Crypto and Crime
The show plunges viewers into the sun-drenched, treacherous world of Miami, where a daring plan to launch a new digital currency, GenCoin, unfolds. The narrative centres on three unlikely partners: a gangster played by Edi Gathegi, a banker portrayed by Adam Brody, and a hacker brought to life by Otmara Marrero.
Their ambitious venture quickly attracts the wrong kind of attention. Martin Freeman swaps London's drizzle for Miami's heat to play Phil Rask, a morally compromised FBI agent determined to bring the trio down. His pursuit weaves through a dangerous landscape of street gangs, white-collar crime, and the shadowy tech community.
Audience Acclaim vs. Critical Reception
Created by Ben Ketai, StartUp ran for a total of 30 episodes across three series. While critic reviews were mixed—the first season holds a 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer—the show found a fervent audience. It boasts an impressive 88% audience score on the Popcornmeter, indicating strong viewer approval.
Fans have taken to platforms like Google to praise the series. One viewer, Manuel Gonzalez, called it an 'absolute Gem of a series that is both captivating and jaw dropping', while Ethan Ward hailed it as 'the most captivating binge watch since Breaking Bad'. Another, Tarai Alexander, commended its complex 'relationship dynamics' and blend of drama, romance, and action.
Where to Stream and What's Next
All three seasons of StartUp are available to watch now for free on ITVX. For those seeking similar tension, the article also highlighted other acclaimed American crime dramas like Breaking Bad on Netflix and Dexter, available on multiple platforms.
Meanwhile, fans of Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan can seek out his latest project, Pluribus, which is currently streaming on Apple TV+.
