Watch Roadkill

Roadkill is a four-part political thriller drama series that aired in November 2020, produced and distributed by PBS Masterpiece. The show is written by David Hare, who is critically acclaimed for his works that revolve around British politics, such as the TV movie The Hours, the miniseries Collateral, and the play The Permanent Way.

The main character in the series is Peter Laurence. The show portrays him as a Conservative Party politician who has a reputation for being charismatic and politically savvy, but his private life threatens to ruin his career as well as his chances of climbing higher ranks in the politics of London. The show also highlights how politics can have a strong impact on an individual's personal life, even by involving espionage and blackmail.

The show begins with Laurence, immersing himself with his political life and leaving behind his personal and financial baggage behind. Hugh Laurie, known for his role of Gregory House from House MD, captures Laurence's wit and charm, which keeps the viewer engaged throughout the journey. Laurence is considered a hero in the eyes of the British public, as he has won against the Prime Minister in a controversial court case. His prowess for politics and ability to charm his way into hearts has enabled him to leave behind his less than savoury past.

However, Laurence soon finds out that his personal life is not quite as clean as his public image. He has a secret daughter from his former mistress and is being blackmailed by someone who seeks to expose his past. On the other front, Laurence also battles political rivals including his own party members to get his way.

The addition of Helen McCrory as Dawn Ellison, British Prime Minister, brought the right amount of drama and suspense to the show. Her performance as a politician who is more focussed on being in power than for making any significant changes in the country is spot-on. Moreover, when her political relationship with Laurence is revealed later in the series, things start to heat up.

The political rivalries between Laurence and other members of his party also bring a new dimension to the show. The competition between Laurence and the Justice Secretary, Rochelle Madeley (Pippa Bennett-Warner), becomes heated as they both vie for the next Prime Ministerial post. Laurence manipulates and conspires his way through the party ranks, leaving many pawns in his wake.

Olivia Vinall, who plays Laurel's daughter Lily Laurence, adds authenticity to the show's plot. She discovers who she is and the impact of her father's reputation and finally decides to take action. Vinall's performance shines through as someone who desperately seeks her father's recognition, but at the same time, wants independence and motherhood.

The storyline of Roadkill is intricate, and as the various plot twists unravel, it keeps the viewers hooked until the end. The show has the correct dose of political intrigue and scandal and can be compared to the American political drama series, House of Cards.

In conclusion, Roadkill from PBS is a must-watch for political thriller enthusiasts. It's cleverly written and well-acted, and it's bound to keep the audience engrossed right until the end. The show is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray formats, and it's also available for streaming on Amazon Prime, PBS Masterpiece Premier through Amazon, or via the PBS Masterpiece channel.

Roadkill is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (4 episodes). The series first aired on November 1, 2020.