Should I Try It: Culprits

We live in a big era for content. We have networks, streaming services, movies and more. It seems the only thing that hasn’t gotten bigger is our available time for viewing. That can leave you wondering whether a new show or mini-series is worth your time. That’s what this series is here to help you solve! In these pieces I’ll look at a new show, where to find it, what it’s about and some comparable options to help you decide whether to dive in or move on!

Series: Culprits

Where to Find It: All eight episodes are available to stream on Hulu.

What’s it About: This British drama makes its American debut on Hulu. It’s a crime story set on two timelines. We begin in the present, where Joe (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) is living a quiet life in Washington state in America. He’s engaged, caring for his future stepchildren and looking toward opening a bistro where a hardware store used to sit. He’s ultra-cautious and lives a quiet, unassuming life.

Turns out he’s hiding, if not physically then part of who he really is an his past. But a new construction project forces him to unearth that past, leading to an accident he witnesses that puts him at odds with a powerful local official. Turns out, that’s only part of Joe’s problems.

Originally, Joe was something of a skilled operator in the criminal world in England. In flashbacks, we see how he connected with an upscale crew to pull a once-in-a-lifetime job. Now, it seems someone is tracking down those who were involved in the job and settling old scores. That puts Joe in a bind as his present and his part threaten to clash, and danger lurks around every turn.

You Should Try It If: You are a fan of crime dramas and twisty stories that sit on multiple timelines.

One Man’s Opinion of Culprits

We get a lot of crime dramas in this wave of Peak Television, especially British crime dramas. In order for something to stand out it needs a compelling hook, strong characters and a story that grabs you right away. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I fired up Culprits, but it was clear early in the pilot that this series meets those criteria to pique my interest.

The series has a solid cast, as both Gemma Arterton and Kirby Howell-Baptiste are part of the crew in the flashbacks, and likely will come into play as the story spins forward. The episodes run about an hour but the two I sampled seemed to move at a good pace. Since all eight episodes are now available, it makes for an easy binge, and the pace and story will likely have you wanting to dive in for more than one episode a sitting.

I like the bones of the story and Stewart-Jarrett really carries the narrative well. J Blakeson (Gunpowder, I Care A Lot) created the series and does a nice job of bringing the story and characters to life. I enjoyed the episodes I sampled quite a bit. This feels like a nice and engaging show to wrap up 2023.