This crime thriller takes place across Thailand.
Jenna Coleman stars in this crime drama television series (Image: BBC)
A series that first aired on BBC One in 2021 and set in Thailand is now on Netflix, much to fans delight.
The Serpent is a British crime drama television serial made up of eight parts. It is based on the crimes of French serial killer Charles “the Serpent” Sobhraj, who murdered young backpackers on the “hippie trail” during the years of 1975 and 1976. The series stars Tahar Rahim and Jenna Coleman.
The Serpent was filmed during the Covid-19 lockdowns (Image: BBC)
The series synopsis reads: “Set in the mid-1970s, the story follows Charles Sobhraj, a French serial killer of Indian and Vietnamese descent, as he drugs and robs travellers, particularly young backpackers, travelling through Bangkok, Thailand, along the overland. He steals his victims’ passports and identities to travel the world and sells stolen gems with girlfriend, Marie-Andrée Leclerc. Charles Sobhraj is at the height of his crimes when a Dutch diplomat, Herman Knippenberg, begins investigating the murders of Dutch tourists and uncovers clues leading to Sobhraj.”
Fans have taken to IMDb to share their thoughts on the miniseries. One said: “Excellent, gripping drama. Well acted throughout. The story would be unbelievable if it were not true! Some reviews have pointed out the frequent timeline jumping. I personally found that watching it as a “box set” seemed to lessen that feeling. A refreshing change to see a work of such high quality from the BBC these days!”
Another described it as “brilliant”, adding: “This is a must-watch series, cannot fault it! Every episode left me wanting more. Brilliant story throughout.”
The Serpent is now available to stream on Netflix (Image: BBC)
Another described it as the “best BBC series in years”, they added: “A phenomenal account of a seriously dangerous and manipulative man and those closest to his actions. The constant jumping back and forth of the timeline is irritating until you get used to it. As the story unfolds, your relationship with the characters grows, and you’re taken even more willingly on a journey unlike one you’ve been on with the BBC before.”
A third person said: “What a compelling series!! But I’ll keep it real SIMPLE – it’s excellent! The cinematography, directing, acting, storytelling – all excellent. One of the best crime shows I’ve watched in the last few years, and despite what is a very disturbing set of events, the colourful visuals will leave you wanting to go to South East Asia.”
The Serpent is available to stream now on Netflix.
