Netflix is about to lose a gripping British crime anthology that viewers have called “absolutely outstanding” — and it’s packed with stars you won’t want to miss. Across just 10 episodes and two seasons, Accused tells a different crime story each time, following ordinary people whose lives unravel as they await their fate in court. With Sean Bean, Sheridan Smith, Olivia Colman, Stephen Graham and Naomie Harris among the stellar cast, the series has earned praise for its emotional storytelling, performances and sharp writing. But there’s not much time left — Accused leaves Netflix on September 9. Can you binge all 10 episodes before it disappears?

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Acclaimed British Crime Drama Accused Is Leaving Netflix — And It Has Just 10 Episodes to Binge

Netflix subscribers have only a short time left to catch Accused, the acclaimed BBC crime anthology featuring an impressive lineup of British stars including Sean Bean, Sheridan Smith, Stephen Graham and Olivia Colman.

Both seasons of the drama are scheduled to leave Netflix on September 9, giving viewers a limited opportunity to watch all 10 episodes before the series disappears from the platform.

Ten Episodes, Ten Very Different Stories

Why Accused Is a Disappointment Compared to the UK Show

Created by acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern, Accused takes an unconventional approach to the crime genre.

Rather than following one continuing investigation, the anthology tells a completely different story in each of its 10 episodes. Every instalment focuses on a new character who has been accused of a crime and is waiting to discover what will happen to them.

The stories shift between the present and flashbacks, gradually revealing the circumstances that brought each person before the court.

But the series is less interested in simply determining whether its characters are guilty or innocent. Instead, it examines the decisions, circumstances and consequences that can push ordinary people into extraordinary situations.

That format also gives the drama the opportunity to showcase a remarkable range of acting talent.

Across its two seasons, the series features Sean Bean, Anna Maxwell Martin, Mackenzie Crook, Naomie Harris, Stephen Graham, Olivia Colman and Sheridan Smith, among others.

Accused Season 2 Stars Cobie Smulders & Vella Lovell Talk Joining FOX's Hit Courtroom Anthology Series

A Powerful Look at Ordinary Lives

Behind the anthology is Jimmy McGovern, whose previous acclaimed work includes Cracker, Hillsborough and The Street.

He worked on Accused with writers Danny Brocklehurst and Alice Nutter. Brocklehurst would later become known for adapting several Harlan Coben novels for television, while Nutter was previously a member of the band Chumbawamba.

The combination of a respected creative team and a star-studded cast helped the series earn a strong critical response.

The Guardian praised Accused as “a compelling dissection of the fragility of ordinary lives.” Den of Geek, while reviewing Sean Bean’s episode, highlighted how convincingly the actor disappeared into his character and singled out Stephen Graham’s “extraordinary performance.”

Viewers Have Been Just as Impressed

Watch Accused | Netflix

The enthusiasm extends beyond professional reviews.

In a recent Reddit discussion, viewers described the BBC drama as an “absolutely fantastic series”, while others praised it as “really emotive” and “captivating.”

IMDb users have also responded warmly. One review called the series “absolutely outstanding” and said, “Can’t recommend this series highly enough.”

The viewer particularly praised the anthology structure, along with the performances, scripts, cast and direction.

Another described it as a “cracking series by stellar writer,” highlighting the show’s realism and pace.

Watch Accused Before September 9

For anyone who prefers character-driven British crime dramas over a single long-running mystery, Accused offers something different — and its 10-episode format makes it manageable as a late-night binge.

The complete series is currently available on Netflix until September 9. Some episodes may also be available through Prime Video and ITVX, while the full series is available on STV Player.

With its Netflix departure approaching, viewers who have had Accused sitting on their watchlist may want to move it to the top before it’s gone.