Five thriller series to binge-watch after The Deceived
Are you attempting to battle your way through the winter blues by binging your favourite box-sets and sinking your teeth into psychologically startling series'?
Honestly, you and me both, sister. I mean, what else is there to do during these brisk and bleak winter evenings?
One star-studded murder-mystery that set tongues wagging all over the world after landing on Netflix last month (and quickly became a personal favourite of mine) is The Deceived.
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Starring the name on everybody's lips, Normal People heartthrob Paul Mescal, as well as Hollyoaks 'bad-boy' veteran Emmett J. Scanlan and Belgravia star Emily Reid, this chiller certainly ticks every single box when it comes to the general requirements of a heart-stopping crime drama.
The show's synopsis describes student Ophelia, who embarks on an 'illicit affair' with her married school teacher.
Their romance then takes a 'shocking turn' following an unexpected death, which leaves her 'questioning their love - and her sanity'.
Though it was first released four years ago on Channel 5, it's only now that the four-partner is receiving the recognition it deserves for having its viewers unable to sleep easy at night.
"Omg if you have not watched The Deceived on Netflix, go watch!" one recommended.
A second went on: "The Deceived on Netflix (originally Ch5) has given me really weird dreams each night after watching it. It’s a quite good supernatural/psychological thriller, only four parts so very bingeable."
And if you were immediately swallowed up by this harrowing crime-horror and are already setting your sights on a similarly suspenseful season, we've got the good for you.
Though their are hundreds upon hundreds of limited series' readily available to stream, we've compiled a list of shows we think truly pack a psychologically-thrilling punch:
The Sister
First up, we have another four-part series guaranteed to set your teeth on edge in the form of The Sister.
Originally released on ITV back in 2020, this pulse-racing thriller stars Gavin and Stacey star Russell Tovey as Nathan, a 'devoted husband' who is one day confronted by a mysterious figure from his past knocking on the door.
The unwelcome visit 'resurrects suspicions' about Nathan's part in the tragic disappearance of his wife's sister years prior, and threatens the family life he's worked so hard to build.
How far is he prepared to go to hide his dark secret?
Deceit
It really does seem as though Netflix have a thing for a four-part thriller, as next up, we have 2021 drama Deceit.
It is based entirely on the true story of a controversial undercover operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in 1992.
This Channel 4 original stars Irish actress Niamh Algar as Lizzie, a young police officer who goes undercover in the hope of honeytrapping a reported killer, said to have brutally murdered mum, Rachel Nickell, only to discover that authorities had wasted all the time on the wrong man.
Cheat
Coronation Street veteran Katherine Kelly returns to our screens as Cambridge university lecturer Leah in this 2019 ITV mini-series, who confronts student Rose after suspecting the essay she submitted had been plagiarised.
Tensions between the duo soon escalate, and Rose's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic, with one finding themselves behind bars in a spiralling investigation.
Who will finally be exposed as the real Cheat?
The series is available to stream on ITV Player.
The Holiday
Next up, we have The Holiday - and no, we're not talking about the loved-up Cameron Diaz/Jude law Christmas hit.
In this ominous 2021 Channel 5 four-parter, four families gather together in the Mediterranean in the hope of rekindling their increasingly-distant friendships.
But for one mother, a startling discovery of betrayal turns her life upside down and within days, she has blood on her hands.
The main question: whose blood?
You can watch the series on Netflix.
The Teacher
And last but certainly not least is The Teacher.
The 2021 thriller stars acting veteran Sheridan Smith as high school teacher Jenna, who is charged with having sex with 15-year-old student Kyle on a drunken night out.
It is only after pleading guilty - unable to remember the night in question and not wanting Kyle to endure the trauma of giving evidence - that she discovers she was set up.
But by who? And why?
You can find out on Netflix.
Honestly - I got chills just writing these descriptions. Imagine how you'll feel watching them!
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC
Rhianna Benson