Fans of True Detective do not fear, we have your perfect next watch.
Whether you’re someone who only enjoyed the first season of the HBO detective drama or have been watching every following instalment of the show, you’ll have an itch that needs scratching.
This is not, however, a recommendation that can be made lightly. True Detective is one of the iconic shows of the 21st century, with a frankly insane average rating of 8.9 on IMDb and a host of Emmy awards.
True Detective’s latest season, Night Country, got the show’s best response since the first (HBO)
Add to that the show’s frankly stacked cast every season, and you have some criteria that really need to be met.
The show in question meets the above easily, with a crazy talented cast helmed by two-time Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield, brilliant reviews, and a shocking true story it’s based on.
The best of all? It’s free to watch in the UK.
Check out the trailer here:
The show in question is called Under the Banner of Heaven.
Garfield stars as Detective Jeb Pyre, who is contending with his own faith amidst investigating a murder of a mother and child.
The show is based on the non-fiction book Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith.
As with the real life story the show is based on, the horrific murder points more and more towards the Mormon church, known as the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While we can’t say more for fear of spoilers, the real life story is absolutely insane – and makes for a crazy plot for the show.
Joining Garfield is a stacked cast, with Daisy Edgar Jones, Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell all massive Hollywood stars who featured in it.
Add a host of outstanding character actors such as Gil Birmingham, Billy Howle, Denise Gough, and the youngest Culkin brother Rory, and you have a surefire cast to go along with your gripping concept.
Daisy Edgar Jones co-stars (FX)
The show received brilliant reviews, with a 7.5 on IMDb and 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
One fan posted on reddit saying: “If you like True Detective you should check out Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu”.
While in America the show is on Hulu, in the UK it is on ITVX, as well as Disney+.
James White of Empire Magazine said in their four star review of the show: “Garfield is the beating heart of the show, but the entire ensemble breaks out of expected roles to place Under The Banner Of Heaven among the best miniseries of the year.”
Garfield received widespread praise for his performance (FX)
Stuart Jeffries of the Guardian said in their similarly positive review: “It’s an elegant and even topical adaptation that dares to ask big questions.”
Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com recognises occasional hiccups with the show, but overall their review was positive, with him saying: “Under the Banner of Heaven is a mighty busy show, sometimes to the detriment of its many ideas … but it is held together by its fascinating, unique way of presenting faith.”
Under the Banner of Heaven is available to watch on ITVX and Disney+.
