Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Limited Series – Archie

Play trailer Poster for Limited Series – Archie Dec 2023 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
BAFTA® Award-winning and Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter and executive producer Jeff Pope brings the remarkable, little-known story of the formative years of Hollywood superstar, Cary Grant to screens in this much-anticipated drama. One of the twentieth century's most iconic figures, Cary Grant touched the world with his charm, wit and grace. But few knew Archie Leach, the man behind the name, and the enormous challenges he overcame on his path to stardom. From his troubled childhood to the one overpowering lie that shaped his life, this surprising and emotional drama captures the struggles, fears, loves and losses of Archie Leach -- a man who couldn't be further from the character he invented to save himself.
Archie — Limited Series

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jason Isaacs' convincingly debonair impression of the great Cary Grant elevates this otherwise uneven biopic series, which focuses on the star's demons without achieving real illumination.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Dec 16, 2023
You may not know Cary Grant any better after Archie, but that was never even possible. Go to Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal Dec 7, 2023
“Archie” may be engaged in image-deflation, but Grant likely wouldn’t have minded. Besides, even an exercise in unpleasant facts can be executed with a great deal of affection. Go to Full Review Daniel Fienberg The Hollywood Reporter Dec 6, 2023
For all that the title suggests a glimpse at the real man behind the icon, Archie fails to get much deeper than “Cary Grant was often accused of only playing himself, but Cary Grant’s greatest performance was… wait for it… Cary Grant,” or something. Go to Full Review Christopher Stevens Daily Mail (UK) Dec 30, 2024
2/5
If you're familiar with the Cary Grant story, it's just about possible to follow these ricochets. If you've never heard of the man, making sense of all this must be like doing a jigsaw in the dark. Go to Full Review Maggie Lovitt Collider Jan 3, 2024
B-
Archie makes a noble effort to unravel the private and public life of both Cary Grant and Archie Leach. Though it does leave something to be desired — a deeper, more intimate look — it is made all the more enjoyable by Jason Isaacs’ performance. Go to Full Review Lacy Baugher Tellyvisions Dec 12, 2023
63
Archie occasionally seems afraid to fully commit to the darker story that lurks underneath its colorful, occasionally cheesy exterior. But the performances at its center make this series better than it has any right to be. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Tricia M @RT46206034 Sep 7, 2025 Great insight on Cary Grant’s life. See more Simon T @MovieTart Aug 12, 2025 Jeff Pope's script is packed with biopic clichés and spends rather too much time on the pre-Cary Grant Archie Leach when it's the older man's carefully controlled media persona, his shield against the poor and abusive childhood in Bristol, that really fascinates. Jason Isaacs is counterintuitive casting but does a very good job given how little he looks like Grant. His vocal tics are spot on and it's a very good performance. See more dawn h @RT90977818 Jan 2, 2025 Jason Issacs is absolutely brilliant See more Andrei D @RT74856639 Aug 27, 2024 Isaacs does his best and is Grant but the rest is pretty simple See more Shioka O @RT54204327 Mar 10, 2024 I almost couldn't recognise Jason Issacs as Cary Grant. He is fabulous and skill-full actor. The script is superficial though worth watching. See more Michael J. D @RT27736979 Jan 2, 2024 Cary Grant's life and career are fascinating; but the storytelling from Dyan Cannon's perspective is dull. Both Cannon and her daughter (exec producer) insist on showing a very heteronormative view of Grant because they are both in denial that he was queer. The series is a bore and a lost opportunity. See more Read all reviews
Archie — Limited Series

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Paul Andrew Williams

Director

Jason Isaacs

Cary Grant

Calam Lynch

Archie

Dainton Anderson

Young Archie

Harriet Walter

Elsie Leach

Kara Tointon

Young Elsie

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Dec 7, 2023 Episode 1 Leach escapes his troubled childhood in Bristol, England, and journeys to the U.S.; 58-year-old Cary Grant falls in love with Dyan Cannon. Details Episode 2 Aired Dec 7, 2023 Episode 2 Archie Leach escapes from New York and heads to Hollywood, Calif., where his looks are spotted by screen icon Mae West. Details Episode 3 Aired Dec 14, 2023 Episode 3 Cary and Dyan's relationship falters as he becomes more controlling, and she objects to taking LSD with him; Dyan surprises Cary with some news. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 14, 2023 Episode 4 Elsie still doesn't approve of Dyan; Cary and Dyan's relationship with her stays rocky, but fatherhood provides the family security Cary has been searching for. Details

More Like This

View All
A Woman of Substance 93% 65% A Woman of Substance Watchlist TRAILER for A Woman of Substance The Sixth Commandment 90% 85% The Sixth Commandment Watchlist TRAILER for The Sixth Commandment What It Feels Like for a Girl 100% 77% What It Feels Like for a Girl Watchlist Somewhere Boy 94% 100% Somewhere Boy Watchlist Brian and Maggie 100% % Brian and Maggie Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Archie — Limited Series

Archie View more photos

Season Info

Director
Paul Andrew Williams
Screenwriter
Jeff Pope
Network
BritBox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Dec 7, 2023
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings