Netflix has released a new British gangster thriller titled Legends, based on an unbelievable true story from the 1990s. The series, which dropped on the streaming platform on May 7, has already been hailed as genuinely fantastic by fans online.
Created by Neil Forsyth, known for his work on The Gold and Guilt, Legends follows a group of ordinary men and women recruited by an undercover customs official to tackle a heroin epidemic in Britain. Steve Coogan, best known for his role as Alan Partridge, plays Don, the head of operations for HM Customs and Excise, who is in charge of recruiting and training the customs officers. Tom Burke, star of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The Souvenir, plays Guy, a working-class customs officer seeking meaning in his life before being recruited.
Plot and Cast
The series is based on the true story of a highly controversial and top-secret operation to combat drug smuggling across Britain's borders. The undercover team managed to bust £1 billion worth of class-A drugs. Alongside Coogan and Burke, the cast includes Hayley Squires as Kate, a stubborn customs officer who infiltrates a drug gang in Liverpool; Tom Hughes as the ruthless Carter; Aml Ameen as operative Bailey; Jasmine Blackborow as Erin; Douglas Hodge as Blake; and Johnny Harris as Eddie.
The story is set during the era of Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government, which was facing mounting political pressure over illegal drug trafficking. An unconventional solution was implemented, leading to the formation of this undercover team.
Real-Life Inspiration
The character of Guy is based on former undercover customs officer Guy Stanton, who wrote the book The Betrayer alongside Peter Walsh. The series draws heavily on Stanton's real-life experiences, portraying the heavy psychological toll of living a double life.
Fans have taken to social media to praise the series. One user wrote on X: A raw look at the heavy psychological toll of living a double life, anchored by an absolute MVP performance from Tom Burke. Another added: If you are a fan of gritty British crime dramas or Breaking Bad, this is your next binge. A third commented: As someone who may have at one point had a tangential relationship to the Liverpool drug trade, Netflix latest is genuinely fantastic. Regardless of your feelings on drugs, we can all appreciate a well-crafted story.
Availability
Legends consists of six episodes and is now available to stream on Netflix.
