Make the most of your time in lockdown with a daily dose of celebrity news and guides to the best shows. Sign up to the entertainment newsletter.
White Lines has topped Netflix’s most watched list since its debut last week, with the murder mystery taking viewers on a sun-soaked (and, indeed, blood-soaked) trip to Ibiza.
But if you haven’t got round to the latest work of acclaimed Money Heist writer Alex Pina, here’s why it’s the perfect weekend watch...
In a nutshell…
When the body of hedonistic Manchester lad Axel Collins is found 20 years after he disappeared in Ibiza while working as a DJ, his devoted sister Zoe travels to the White Isle to launch her own investigation into his death.
As she encounters familiar faces from Axel’s past, she uncovers things about Ibiza’s dark (and often ridiculous) underbelly that not only make her question who her brother really was, but who she is too.
Essentially, think of it as…
Death In Paradise with more drugs and a hell of a lot more sex.
Who’s in it?
White Lines boasts an eclectic cast made up of some great acting talent, other well-known faces and some international names.
Laura Haddock, who you’ll probably know as Alison from The Inbetweeners Movie or for her roles in BBC One’s The Capture or the Guardians Of The Galaxy films, takes the lead as Zoe Walker, the sister of murdered Axel Collins (played by West End star Tom Rhys Harries).
Former Line Of Duty and Mrs Biggs star Daniel Mays appears as Axel’s best friend Marcus, with Cold Feet’s Cel Spellman portraying the same character in flashbacks.
Angela Griffin (Coronation Street, Cutting It, Waterloo Road) and Laurence Fox (Lewis) also appear as Axel’s friends Anna and David, while Francis McGee (EastEnders, Game Of Thrones) plays Zoe’s father Clint and Barry Ward (The Capture, The End Of The F**king World) plays Zoe’s husband Mike.
Marta Milans, Nuno Lopes, Juan Diego Botto, and Belen Lopez are among the show’s European cast.
What we liked about it…
Let’s just make it clear from the offset, this show is absolutely batshit, but that is absolutely the reason we love it, and the weird turns the plot takes – including drug dealers, mob wars and coked-up dogs – just add to the ridiculousness of it all.
The cast all bring something to the party (pun intended), as they fully embrace the melodrama. Laura Haddock brings such a warmth and tragicness to Zoe that makes it impossible not to root for her, even when she’s making terrible decisions that are going to wreck her life.
Daniel Mays also finds relatable humour and pathos in Marcus’ refusal to accept that his best days are behind him, and while the sight of Laurence Fox may put some off White Lines following his latest controversies, he gives a solid comedic performance as drug-addict-turned-hippy David.
Moreover, we also just love how White Lines looks on screen.
The filtering makes you feel like you’re getting a tan just by looking at the telly, so if you haven’t been able to spend any proper time outdoors in the past nine weeks, you can at least enjoy the illusion of getting some vitamin D.
What we didn’t like about it…
At 10 episodes long, it definitely feels like it could have been done in eight, while we can also see why some viewers have claimed it’s like watching a version of Ibiza imagined by someone who has never actually been there.
Mancunians may take issue with some of the accents too, but we were willing to overlook that for the sheer enjoyment we got from the rest of it.
Although, we should warn you there’s a group confessional in the eighth episode may just turn your stomach slightly. Two words: Oedipus complex.
Watch this if you’re in the mood for…
A bonkers, sun-soaked “whodunnit?” that you don’t need to take too seriously.
Where can I watch it?
All 10 episodes are available to stream on Netflix now.