ACCLAIMED THRILLER

State Of Play, BritBox

THRILLERS are so hard to get right because they so rarely live up to the promise of their premise. But this 2003 BBC example — which arrives on BritBox today — is perfection, with John Simm as the wily journalist looking into a death that could involve his MP friend (David Morrissey). The way the unfolding plot is tied so tightly into their friendship keeps you gripped, and the cast is packed with talent, including Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, Bridgerton’s Polly Walker and Benedict Wong (who also costars in Doctor Strange, see left).