The hidden gem crime drama stars Carey Mulligan, Billie Piper and John Simm and is being hailed by audiences as a ‘faultless’ and ‘outstanding’ police procedural.

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Viewers can’t stop raving about the four-part limited series(Image: BBC/The Forge)

For those looking for outstanding and utterly bingeable British crime dramas, look no further – we’ve found the ideal recommendation for you.

A four-part police procedural available on Netflix has completely mesmerised audiences, with enthusiasts claiming they discovered the limited series to be considerably more captivating and addictive than celebrated programmes such as Luther and The Fall – crime dramas frequently regarded as amongst television’s finest.

The police drama Collateral has entranced viewers, and with considerable justification. Featuring compelling narratives, a stellar ensemble, many unexpected twists, and superb acting throughout – the crime series offers something to satisfy everyone.

Penned and conceived by David Hare, who has been writing for the BBC since 1973, Collateral marked his debut original television series. The crime drama was helmed by SJ Clarkson and initially premiered on British screens in February 2018 via BBC Two.

The programme was quickly acquired by streaming behemoth Netflix and received a worldwide launch on the service the subsequent month in March, reports the Express.

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The crime drama is captivating audiences(Image: BBC/The Forge)

Three-time Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan headlines the programme, portraying Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie. Mulligan is accompanied by an exceptional Billie Piper, John Simm, Nathaniel Martello-White, Jeany Spark, Nicola Walker, Kim Medcalf, Nick Mohammed, and Hayley Squires within a broader ensemble cast, all of whom have garnered acclaim for their outstanding work on the series.

Collateral’s official synopsis reads: “Investigating the murder of a pizza delivery man, a London detective uncovers a tangled conspiracy involving drug dealers, smugglers and spies.”

The crime drama received two BAFTA Television Award nominations – Best Photography & Lighting: Fiction and a Best Supporting Actress nod for Billie Piper.

Audiences and critics alike have been thoroughly impressed with the detective thriller, with one reviewer writing: “Collateral felt believable and exciting.”

Another critic said: “It’s a smart and solid miniseries, particularly for those who don’t already watch a lot of bleak British detective shows and can still be surprised by how everything in London seems connected.”

While a third reviewer added: “It’s a tangled web of individuals and motivations, and while some may find this all a bit too heavy on coincidence, there’s no question that Collateral is a gripping procedural.”

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The ‘outstanding’ series is available to stream on Netflix(Image: BBC/The Forge)

One critic reserved special praise for the lead performances: “Carey Mulligan, as DI Kip, excels, as does Billie Piper as the louche posh drawling lovely: one struggles to tear the eyes from any scene in which either appears.”

Audiences have been equally enthralled, with one viewer posting on Rotten Tomatoes: “Superb. Everything you want a modern thriller series to be. And limited too! Carry Mulligan is faultless.”

Another fan of the series drew comparisons with several acclaimed crime dramas: “I’ve just watched this after watching and attempting to watch a number of other police/crime dramas over the preceding weeks (The Fall, The Bay, The Undoing) and I’d say this was probably the best of them, certainly way better than The Bridge, of which I watched 2 episodes before giving up; Marcella, which I gave up on after one episode and Luther which I gave up on after 20 minutes.”

While one viewer review shared on IMDB says: “It has been a while since I have thoroughly enjoyed a TV series as much as I did Collateral. First off, the acting was superb.

“Carey Mulligan and Jeany Spark proved to be talented actors and so did Nathaniel who was a joy to watch, not only with his good looks but giving the audience the feel of a true, dashing detective. Secondly, the writing was very good and kept me wanting more without getting bored. In fact, there was so much action, one would find it difficult to move away even for a minute!”.

Another viewer said: “Some of the greatest writing and complex storylines I have seen in years. WOW, what an excellent 4-Part series-with a killer soundtrack as well. Collateral has something for everybody: It’s a murder mystery, It’s a political drama, It’s a spy thriller.

“As you follow this very complex tale you cannot help but feel the intrigue and tension build. It is a tremendous shame the British Academy Television Awards only saw fit to give Collateral only 2 nominations. Collateral is a must watch for everyone in 2019.”

Collateral is currently available to watch on Netflix.