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The British production “Guardaespaldas” (Bodyguard) made waves in 2018 with its gripping storyline and talented cast. Created, written, and directed by the renowned British filmmaker Jed Mercurio, this six-episode miniseries delves into the world of David Budd, a war veteran who works as a protection specialist for a minister with opposing political views.
“Guardaespaldas” made history with its outstanding debut. It is a masterful blend of excellent decision-making, top-notch acting, and a compelling plot. Notably, the series stars the acclaimed actor Richard Madden (known for his role as Robb Stark) and is created by Jed Mercurio, the mind behind Line of Duty. The Netflix premiere of the show garnered 10.6 million viewers in the UK, accounting for a 40% share of the audience.
Critique of “Guardaespaldas”
Technical Details
- Title: Guardaespaldas (Bodyguard)
- Cast: Richard Madden (David), Keeley Hawes (Julia), Stuart Bowman (Hunter-Dunn), Tom Brooke (Andy), Claire-Louise Cordwell (Kim), Vincent Franklin (Mike), Nicholas Gleaves (Roger), Pippa Haywood (Craddock), Stephanie Hyam (Chanel), Gina McKee (Sampson), Paul Ready (Rob), Richard Riddell (Tom), Sophie Rundle (Vicky)
- Year: 2018
- Duration: 60 min
- Country: United Kingdom
- Director: Jed Mercurio (Creator), Thomas Vincent, John Strickland
- Screenplay: Jed Mercurio
- Cinematography: John Lee
- Music: Ruth Barrett, Ruskin Williamson
- Genre: Thriller, Drama
- Distributor: Netflix
Trailer of “Guardaespaldas”
Synopsis
“Guardaespaldas” takes viewers behind the scenes of power as it recounts the story of David Budd (Richard Madden), a temperamental war hero working as a personal bodyguard for Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes), an ambitious Home Secretary. David finds himself torn between his duty to protect her and his ideological conflicts. He is responsible for her safety, but he may also become her greatest threat. (Netflix Spain)
Where to Watch the Series Streaming
Script and Plot
“Guardaespaldas” is a miniseries that hooks viewers from the moment they are introduced to David Budd. He is a war veteran traveling with his children on a train about to be targeted in a terrorist attack. The first episode masterfully reveals information, enticing viewers to click on the next episode eagerly.
“Guardaespaldas” maintains tension through various plotlines, with the standout being the relationship between David and the Interior Minister who supports the war in Afghanistan. While real-life circumstances might make such a situation implausible, as viewers, we allow for some suspension of disbelief in favor of an adrenaline-filled experience.
As the series progresses, the plot becomes increasingly implausible, and the protagonist finds himself pulled in multiple directions. Nonetheless, “Guardaespaldas” is characterized by an array of plot twists where every character can be both an ally and a villain simultaneously.
The Dynamic Duo: Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes
Remember the phrase “Yes, ma’am”? You’ll hear it several times from the mouth of David Budd, played by Richard Madden, a war veteran. Without giving away too much, Madden’s ability to convey emotions simply by clenching his jaw is spectacular.
Furthermore, the chemistry between Madden and Keeley Hawes, who portrays Julia Montague, the Home Secretary and known for her role as Lindsay Denton in Line of Duty, is splendid. Their interactions are intense, filled with constant tension, not solely of a sexual nature. Both represent conflicting ideals but are forced to get along and understand each other.
This authenticity, despite its potential lack of realism, is one of the series’ strengths. The interactions caught on camera, the actions beyond formality, and the conversations away from the media focus build up a growing tension that captivates the audience.
A Massive Success Backed by a Concrete Socio-Cultural Context
“Guardaespaldas” enjoyed overwhelming success in Great Britain. However, it does raise the question of whether its popularity was solely due to the series itself or if it was favorably influenced by the socio-cultural context. The show premiered amidst widespread discontent among the government forces. Thus, the socio-cultural backdrop in the fiction mirrored reality and may have played a decisive role in the series’ triumph.
The ending left many viewers with mixed feelings. Not only because of an unsupported plot twist, but also due to the controversy surrounding Islamophobia.
Conclusion: “Guardaespaldas”
“Guardaespaldas” possesses all the hallmarks of a high-level police thriller. Once you delve into the first episode, escaping the grip of the director becomes nearly impossible, even though the episodes may seem lengthy for their content density.
Moreover, while everything revolves around the protagonist, it feels as if the world of the series and the secondary plotlines progress without his necessity.
So, if you’re up for a thrilling binge-watch, an addictive plot, and plenty of tension, don’t hesitate to search for “Guardaespaldas” on Netflix.