Sheridan smith & graham’s ‘accused’: a brutal masterclass you can stream now

Sheridan Smith and Stephen Graham delivered something truly unsettling in 2010’s ‘Accused.’ It wasn’t just a crime anthology; it was a sustained, merciless interrogation of human fallibility. Forget feel-good resolutions – this is a descent into a bleak, suffocating world of paranoia and regret.

Delving into darkness: what makes ‘accused’ worth your time

The series, originally airing over a decade ago, remains a remarkably potent piece of television. Ten self-contained episodes, each a miniature tragedy, were anchored by the extraordinary performances of Smith and Graham. It’s a grim reminder that even seemingly ordinary people are capable of extraordinary darkness. The premise – a series of crimes, each explored in isolation – felt fresh then, and it still does. Each episode presents a distinct scenario, focusing on the victims and the accused, leaving you with a lingering sense of unease long after the credits roll.

But the initial reception was surprisingly lukewarm. Despite critical praise, including a scathing assessment from The Guardian (“a compelling dissection of the fragility of ordinary lives, but you did long for just a little light and shade”), ratings struggled to capture the series’ true power. It’s a shame, honestly, because the acting is consistently superb, and McGovern’s unflinching approach to character drama remains intensely unsettling.

The cast is a veritable who’s who of British talent: Olivia Colman, Peter Capaldi, John Bishop, and a host of other luminaries. Consider this: Christopher Eccleston as Willy Houlihan, Andy Serkis as Liam Black, Naomie Harris as Alison Wade, and a roster of consistently brilliant actors. It’s a testament to the writing and directing that such a collection of talent coalesced around this project.

Let’s be clear: ‘Accused’ isn’t Entertainment. It’s an experience. A challenging one, certainly. But if you’re looking for television that demands your attention and refuses to offer easy answers, then you’ve found it. The sheer bleakness is… well, it’s remarkable.

Where to watch ‘accused’

Fortunately, revisiting this dark masterpiece is now remarkably simple. All ten episodes of ‘Accused’ are currently available to stream on ITVX. Each episode clocks in around an hour, but there's no need to binge—the episodes stand alone effectively.

Critical reception: a mixed bag

The initial response was fractured. While The Guardian recognized the series’ thematic depth, they also lamented its unrelenting despair. Metro highlighted the exceptional performances but noted a disappointing lack of audience engagement at the time. However, revisiting ‘Accused’ today, its impact remains undeniable – a chilling exploration of the human condition.