Are you looking for a gripping British thriller to binge-watch this weekend? There’s a hidden gem waiting on  iPlayer – and it promises to keep you hooked from start to finish.

Told over eight episodes, MotherFatherSon is penned by Tom Rob Smith (London Spy, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) and stars British acting royalty Sarah Lancashire alongside Hollywood A-lister Richard Gere.

© Photo: BBC
The series is available to watch on BBC iPlayer

Originally airing in 2019, the series follows a wealthy yet “fractured” family at the helm of a powerful media empire, entangled in the pull of political influence – think Succession but with fewer heirs vying for control. When tragedy befalls Caden, the son of Max and Kathryn, the dynasty begins to unravel and tensions rise.

If you loved seeing Sarah in formidable roles like Catherine in Happy Valley and Caroline in Last Tango in Halifax, you’ll enjoy her as MP and Leader of the Opposition Angela Howard. With standout performances from Helen McCrory and Billy Howle, this is a drama that’s hard to switch off.

What is MotherFatherSon about?

The series centres on American businessman Max, who owns a media empire that places him at the heart of British politics and power.

The synopsis reads: “His aristocratic ex-wife Kathryn (McCrory) has been frozen out of the family and spends her days working at a homeless shelter.

© Alamy Stock Photo
Pippa Bennett-Warner, Sarah Lancashire and Richard Gere in MotherFatherSon

“Their son, Caden (Billy Howle), is at the heart of Max’s operation, editing broadsheet newspaper The National Reporter – but he’s out of his depth and the strain is showing. When Caden suffers a catastrophic breakdown, the fragmented family is pulled back together.”

Who stars in MotherFatherSon?

Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) stars as Angela Howard MP, while Richard Gere is Max Finch, Helen McCrory is Kathryn Villiers and Billy Howle is Caden Finch.

© Photo: BBC
Have you watched the series?

Other cast members include Pippa Bennett-Warner as Lauren Elgood, Sinéad Cusack as Maggie Barns, Paul Ready as Nick Caplan and Joseph Mawle as Scott Ruskin.

Rounding out the cast are Danny Sapani as Jahan Zakari, Niamh Algar as Orla Maguire, Karen Bryson as Kali Elgood and Steven Cree as Andrew Bentham.

Poll Question

Is MotherFatherSon a hidden gem or hidden for a reason?

What have viewers said about MotherFatherSon?

While the series flew relatively under the radar, it received fairly positive reviews from critics.

In its review, The Guardian wrote: “It is unabashedly grand and irresistible in its demented excess. It has a Doctor Foster-ish relish for big plot twists. Better still, it doesn’t get any less bizarre.”

© Alamy Stock Photo
Richard Gere, Helen McCrory and Billy Howle

Meanwhile, The Times penned: “The quality of the cast… alone suggests that this is worth the investment despite an up-and-down start.”

The Telegraph added: “Gere and McCrory are of course impeccable. Their ongoing task is to persuade you to believe in these speechifying icicles.”

All eight episodes of MotherFatherSon are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.