Ripper Street, the long-forgotten crime-drama set during the era of Britain’s most notorious serial killer, is now available on Netflix.
The BBC series, which aired for five seasons between 2012 and 2016, saw its action begin in 1889, with the district of Whitechapel and city of London left rocking following the killing spree of Jack the Ripper.
After more bodies turn up on the streets, DI Edmund Reid (Matthew MacFadyen) takes the case. Enlisting the help of DS Bennet Drake (Jerome Flynn) and former Pinkerton agent Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenberg), the trio aim to rid the streets of crime.
Co-starring Charlene McKenna and MyAnna Buring, Ripper Street proved to be a hit throughout its 37-episode run, and now you can view the drama again - or for the first time - after all five seasons were added onto Netflix.
The crime-drama was a success with critics, with its lowest approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes being 86% for its second season. Its debut season scored an impressive 90% from 20 reviews, with its last three all scoring a perfect 100%.
Related: John Simm's "ridiculous" but perfectly-rated BBC show is leaving Netflix really soon
What to Read Next
“Gritty, sinister, and visually striking, Ripper Street is a gripping thriller, with well-crafted characters and compellingly lurid plotlines,” reads the site’s critical consensus for the first season, which consisted of eight episodes.
“Ripper Street has steadily become a more consistently good show during its runtime and if the current trajectory holds, it will finish its time with us on a considerable high” reads Den of Geek’s review of the fifth season.
Related: Best streaming services UK 2025 — including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+
The Arts Desk were similarly impressed, writing: “The plot sounds daft when you write it down, but Ripper Street hangs together because of its powerful characterisations and convincing performances,” whilst The Daily Telegraph said the show “would be missed”.
Ripper Street was also a hit with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with the show having an average approval rating of 91% across its five seasons. So with the show now on Netflix, treat yourself to some grisly, Victorian-era fun!
Ripper Street is streaming on Netflix.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
