TV review: Legends is a bit clunky, but it's brilliant casting and story had me engrossed
The best thing about Legends is that it only cares about characters and plot. Picture: Netflix/Sally Mais
I really like Legends (Netflix). Based on actual events, this six-part drama has Steve Coogan as Don, a former undercover agent, now heading up a small team of recruits from UK customs tasked with infiltrating heroin smugglers in 1990s Britain. The first 30 minutes is the recruitment process as a group of customs officials that responded to a poster saying ‘Could You Give More’ are bussed to a run-down mansion in Yorkshire. Anyone who asks about overtime or seems inclined to follow official procedure is sent home.
The chosen few, three agents, are split between London and Liverpool, the sum total of the government’s much touted war on heroin. (We even see real footage of Maggie Thatcher promising to spend big to defeat the dealers.)
The star turn here is Tom Burke as Guy, the agent sent to infiltrate a Turkish gang in London suspected of being a major importer. He’s given a back story, wife, and kids, so we know he’s the emotional core here. More importantly, he looks the part, transforming from a cuddly Dad with sad eyes into a menacing psycho when he goes undercover. I know, they call it acting, but that’s the point. It’s why the show is called Legends, you have to believe your cover story so that the jumpy drug barons believe you as well. The other two agents are sent to Liverpool and I’d worry about them to be honest, they aren’t on a patch on Guy.
The best thing about Legends is it only cares about characters and plot. There is a bit of a dig at Thatcher, but most of the time we’re engrossed with the story, thanks to some brilliant casting.
My favourite is Gerald Kyd as Mylonos, a charismatic Greek criminal who is released from prison so he can introduce Guy to the Turkish drug lords in London. (He’s an anti-Greek Greek, so the Turks love him, according to Mylonos, but you wouldn’t believe a word he says because he has magnificent long hair.) Jasmine Blackborow is compelling as Erin, the super-brain back in the office who can see patterns in the data.
Steve Coogan’s portrayal as Don is very good. I hated him as Mick McCarthy in Saipan, because they wrote Mick as a fool. He’s still a bluff Yorkshireman here, but this time he’s a force to be reckoned with, relentless and yet concerned about the agents he’s sending to the fields. Legends is a bit clunky in parts, but telly has to spell stuff out now because we’re all looking at our phones. It’s well worth your time.
