Netflix Viewers Hooked on This ‘Ridiculously Addictive’ Thriller – But the Ending Sparks Debate!
A BBC One Hit Resurfaces on Streaming
Currently ranked third in Netflix UK’s top 10, the series originally aired on BBC One in 2017. U.S. viewers need not worry, as The Replacement is also available on Amazon Prime.At the heart of the story is Ellen, a successful architect played by Morven Christie. Her maternity leave takes a dark turn when her replacement, Paula (played by Vicky McClure of Line of Duty fame), appears overly eager to step into her role, both at work and in her personal life. With Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible 2, Departure) rounding out the impressive cast, this tense drama plunges into a world of paranoia and power struggles.
Critical Acclaim and Perfect Scores
Critics have showered the series with praise, with The Guardian describing it as “a joyously bonkers, highly psychological melodrama that starts with a foot in reality and then runs wild. It’s ridiculously addictive.” A reviewer from Metro highlighted the lead performances, stating, “Morven Christie as Ellen and Vicky McClure as Paula, her too-good-to-be-true replacement, are pitch-perfect in Joe Ahearne’s tale, which begins as a Hitchcockian thriller and then twists into crime caper territory.” The show holds an impressive 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Controversial Finale That Sparks Discussion
However, the series hasn’t been without its controversies. While many viewers were captivated by its suspenseful storytelling, the finale has polarized audiences. According to The Mirror, one viewer commented, “I agree with the reviews regarding the third episode. The first two episodes were great, but I thought I’d accidentally skipped a part at the end of the third—it felt a bit unbelievable. ”Another echoed this sentiment, saying, “It started with a fantastic cast and an intriguing concept, but it devolved into silliness after a painfully slow burn over several episodes.
