Creator of Netflix’s six-part true crime drama says the story deserves to be told
Peter Harris Film and TV Reporter (Screen Time, U35s)
22:13, 06 May 2026
Legends official Netflix trailer
The creator of Netflix’s latest unmissable series has revealed why everyone should set aside this weekend to binge watch it.
Six-part true crime drama Legends begins streaming on the platform from Thursday, May 7. According to its synopsis, the show is set in the early 1990s, as Her Majesty’s Customs look to utilise an unusual method in their battle with the illegal drug trade following political pressure.
Rising drug use was being felt throughout the country, frequently with devastating consequences. As part of a top-secret operation, a small team of Customs employees were deployed undercover. Their mission was to infiltrate Britain’s most dangerous drug gangs and do whatever it took to dismantle them from within.
Remarkably, the series is actually rooted in real-life events and draws inspiration from a non-fiction book, The Betrayer, co-written by Guy Stanton. Scottish screenwriter Neil Forsyth is responsible for adapting it for the screen.
His previous work includes Guilt and The Gold. In an exclusive interview with Neil, we asked him why Netflix viewers should make this new release their next binge-watch amongst the endless array of available options, reports the Mirror.
Neil says he can’t believe the cast that was put together(Image: NETFLIX)
He simply explained that it is a “great British story” about ordinary people doing extraordinary things that will leave viewers astounded. He further explained: “I think (the story) deserves to be told and I think we’ve hopefully told it well.
“You can worry as a writer about themes and shining lights on areas of society, all that stuff, and it’s important and I wouldn’t belittle that, and I tried to incorporate that all in my work, but everything needs to be attached to a great story if you’re really going to make an impact. And I think that’s what we concentrated on and we all worked extremely hard on it.”
Another attraction for viewers will be the remarkable ensemble cast assembled for the series. Tom Burke, known for the forthcoming Blade Runner 2099, BBC’s Strike, and The Lazarus Project, takes on the role of Guy.
He is joined by Ghosts and Call The Midwife’s Charlotte Ritchie, alongside The Night Manager’s Hayley Squires and Victoria’s Tom Hughes.
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However, one of the most familiar faces is undoubtedly Steve Coogan. Renowned for Alan Partridge as well as The Trip, Philomena and Saipan, Coogan takes on the role of Don. His character is responsible for assembling the new team of Legends.
Forsyth revealed that Coogan commanded quite a presence on set, while believing he delivers one of his finest ever performances. The writer shared: “They’re just an incredible cast. I just can’t believe the cast we assembled for it. All just fitted together in such an interesting way. They all brought something different.
“I thought Steve and Dougie (Douglas Hodge) as the bosses were lovely double act and then Tom and Julie as the Legends but then I think the criminal cast as well were so good because they all brought a bit of humanity to their parts, even though they were criminal figures.”
Neil says the cast playing criminals brought a nuance to the roles(Image: NETFLIX)
He went on to say: “But Steve Coogan, you know, like most blokes of my generation he was a sort of comedy icon for me growing up, but I just thought that he could be a really good fit for Don. I think it gave Steve an opportunity to play a very natural role, you know, it’s his accent, his hair. He is playing a character the same age as him from the same part of the world.
“That Northern dryness and drollness. He was really brilliant. It was funny with Steve on set, we were like, ‘We can’t ask him about Partridge’. Within an hour we’re all talking Partridge, but he was very patient.
“He was very generous and we would need to remind him what the dialogue was and then he’d switch into Partridge and you were overjoyed. I’ve always been a long admirer of his performance in Philomena but I think this is perhaps Steve’s best television performance in a dramatic role. I’m just really pleased with with all the cast. I think we’re very lucky.”
Legends is streaming on Netflix from May 7.
