Bodyguard

 :

Season 1
  • Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 24, 2018
Bodyguard Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

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  • Summary: War-veteran-turned-police Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden) is promoted to the protection detail for controversial conservative Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) in this drama series created by Jed Mercurio.
  • Genre(s): Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Leah Greenblatt
    Oct 15, 2018
    91
    Bodyguard might be [creator Jed Mercurio's] Homeland. ... From its opening sequence, a breathless 20-minute set piece on a passenger train, it's clear that no loyalty will go untested or plot untwisted. [19/26 Oct 2018, p.91]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Oct 10, 2018
    90
    This show excels at both the daring, gasp-inducing twist and the methodical construction of slower-burning thrills. The finale, for instance, features a lengthy sequence of almost physically painful tension, a bravura bit of television that could only exist on a show in which we’ve been primed to understand that truly anything can happen.
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Oct 11, 2018
    90
    The story takes wild, violent leaps amid myriad conspiracies, leading to a crazy, nail-biting climax that is both preposterous and wholly satisfying. Some binges feel like a slog. Bodyguard is more of a race, well worth the run. [15-28 Oct 2018, p.9]
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Oct 19, 2018
    80
    Some elements of the series struck me as odd, including what seems an endorsement of the surveillance state, and certain climactic revelations had me talking to the screen. But the action is well mounted and the tension tightly wound; it uncoils, when it does, with a satisfying snap.
  5. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Oct 24, 2018
    80
    The plot is determined to make us change our minds about who could be a mole every ten minutes. Muslim characters are pigeonholed as potential terrorists, although that’s a trope that Bodyguard tries to subvert with a modest amount of success. And yet, even on those occasions when it lands exactly where you think it’s headed, it still threads a compelling enough needle to keep its audience hooked.
  6. Collider
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Oct 23, 2018
    80
    There are several things that work really well in the series’ final episode, and could leave the door open for another season, and other revelations that feel like a bit of a letdown. But ultimately, Bodyguard is an exhilarating ride that truly showcases Madden as a major talent.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Oct 23, 2018
    50
    Madden doesn’t do enough to distract us when Mercurio’s plot twists veer from reality or his characters refuse to act like rational humans. In Bodyguard, Mercurio’s breakneck story feels, at every moment, both carefully constructed and made up on the spot. ... It can also be a blast, if you’re all about the mystery and the forward momentum and your requirements for plausibility and psychological realism aren’t high.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. imthenoob
    Nov 29, 2018
    10
    Madden does such a fantastic job as the lead in this show and is the real highlight of it. This show is definitely gonna be his platform toMadden does such a fantastic job as the lead in this show and is the real highlight of it. This show is definitely gonna be his platform to become an even bigger star than he already is. As for the show, It reminds me a bit of Homeland but it's shorter and more to the point, There's a lot less filler and sub-plots and that is a major plus. And there's plenty of action and suspense to keep you on edge while the well-written story plays out. What I like most is that it grips you from the first episode and keeps you invested until the very end and they don't do some cheap cop out with the ending either, It's satisfying and wraps everything up.… Expand
  2. RichardBStard
    Nov 14, 2018
    10
    What would you expect from the writer of 'Line of Duty'? An amazing show.
    Completely gripping, beautifully written, acted and filmed.
  4. EPMD
    Dec 17, 2018
    9
    Overall worth watching. There are probably too many twists, some of which are really hard to accept or believe, but the 6-episode formatOverall worth watching. There are probably too many twists, some of which are really hard to accept or believe, but the 6-episode format really kept the action moving. TV with a finish line is so much better than TV that keeps getting stretched out for endless episodes.… Expand
  5. TempJunkMax
    Oct 25, 2018
    8
    Really good overall. Probably would work better as 8 episodes. Easy recommend.
  6. LamontRaymond
    Nov 13, 2018
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. After two episodes, I'm really enjoying the series. However, I'm extremely disappointed that they wound up in bed together. I mean, how cliched can we get? Didn't seem to need that.… Expand
  7. jeremyp
    Oct 27, 2018
    7
    When it's good it's very, very good, and when it's bad it's horrid. It gets an A+ for edgy, and spell binding scenes, but a D when it goesWhen it's good it's very, very good, and when it's bad it's horrid. It gets an A+ for edgy, and spell binding scenes, but a D when it goes into human relations. Plenty of plot twists and one big one at the end is bound to make many groan at the screen. They drag out the final big scene which in real life would have ended by our hero getting to the point more quickly. Many of the professionals come across as nitwits, but then that may be because they're not in on the real machinations that viewers are. The last half hour doesn't build as much as let the air out.… Expand
  8. portmanteau
    Oct 25, 2018
    2
    As a Brit, utterly confused by this show and its popularity. It's not a patch on Mercurio's Earlier work with Line Of Duty being uniformlyAs a Brit, utterly confused by this show and its popularity. It's not a patch on Mercurio's Earlier work with Line Of Duty being uniformly excellent. It goes from po-faced to farcical, with frustratingly stupid character arcs and daft situations. It's like Homeland season one, without any genuine drama.… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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