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Season 1 – The Beast Must Die

Play trailer 0:59 Poster for Season 1 – The Beast Must Die Jul 2021 Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After learning the police investigation into the fatal hit and run of her young son, Martie, has been dropped, Frances Cairns takes matters into her own hands. Posing as a novelist researching a murder mystery, Frances ingratiates herself with the family of George Rattery, the cruel and pompous man she suspects is responsible for the death of her son and sets in motion a plan to kill him. She's tracked by detective Nigel Strangeways, who has reason to believe his department covered up George's involvement in the incident. Suffering from PTSD following the recent death of his partner, Strangeways throws himself into pursuing justice for Martie. However, when he discovers Frances living with George and his family, Strangeways finds himself working to both prove George's guilt and head off Frances' plans for revenge before anyone else dies.
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The Beast Must Die — Season 1

The Beast Must Die — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Cush Jumbo and Jared Harris make for thrilling combatants in The Beast Must Die, a coiled potboiler that excels with deft performances and rich atmosphere.

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Critics Reviews

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Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald 11/30/2021
3.5/5
It's brilliantly set up and brilliantly cast -- Jumbo and Harris are both hugely compelling presences who make a fine cobra and mongoose. Go to Full Review Suzi Feay Financial Times 07/20/2021
4/5
Brace yourselves, caulkheads, this view of your pleasant seagirt home is far from complimentary. Go to Full Review Allison Keene Paste Magazine 07/16/2021
6.8/10
Most of the characters in The Beast Must Die are haunted by their pasts, but sadly, the series itself won't leave much of an impression on us. Go to Full Review Camilla Long Sunday Times (UK) 07/20/2021
What can I say about this absolute overstuffed mess of a bleak thriller, except I came to kind of enjoy it? Go to Full Review Molly Moss The Sun (UK) 07/20/2021
Billy Howle also offered a nuanced portrayal of the suffering detective and the superb acting throughout the entire series, together with the music and filming, came together to create many compelling moments. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider 07/20/2021
We're recommending The Beast Must Die mainly because of the performances of Jumbo and Howle, and the delicious potential of Jumbo and Harris' scenes together. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Zach T @RT54841678 02/24/2025 Caught this on amc, it’s a banger of a crime thriller! Cush jumbo rocks See more Mary M @RT91501467 02/22/2025 This was four episodes too long. I just wanted to be put out of my misery. See more 11/29/2021 There are strong characters who fight back against their helplessness in the face of unpredictable tragedy. Their are weak characters whose pain arises from being at the mercy of others and events. And then there are characters who have spent their lives believing that they control everything. These dynamics come together in a visually stunning, moody series directed by Dome Karukoski. They hold us riveted primarily by the acting of Cush Jumbo (Frances) and Billy Howle (Detective Nigel Strangeways). Yet, even in the few powerfully personal scenes in which Strangeways meets with his therapist, portrayed precisely on point by Nathaniel Parker, we get to watch some of the most realistic doctor-patient interactions that I've ever encountered in film. I say this as a practicing psychologist. But ALL the acting is nuanced, with attention to subtleties and the screenplay writing itself. In the end, the last sentences uttered in this series summarizes a powerful message, one which we, as the audience, experience with all of them. See more 09/12/2021 this is a good one!! See more 09/11/2021 a surprise discovery on amc. moody & intense drama. where's the Isle of Wight cos it's great scenery! See more 09/11/2021 mais oui! c'est pas le film 60s de Chabrol mais top drama télé avec acteurs vraiment magnifiques See more Read all reviews
The Beast Must Die — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Jared Harris

George Rattery

Cush Jumbo

Frances Cairns

Billy Howle

Nigel Strangeways

Marina Brackenbury

Executive Producer

Emma Broughton

Executive Producer

Gaby Chiappe

Executive Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 5, 2021 Episode 1 Frances Cairnes begins her search for the person who killed her 6-year-old son in a hit and run; DI Strangeways arrives on the Isle of Wight, hoping for a fresh start after the death of his colleague. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 12, 2021 Episode 2 Tracking down the man that she believes is responsible for the death of her son, Frances sets out to insinuate herself into his home as she plots her revenge; struggling to deal with his PTSD, DI Strangeways takes a closer look at the investigation. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 19, 2021 Episode 3 Staying on as a house guest, Frances must now work out how she is going to see through her murderous plan; Strangeways' suspicions over his predecessor's handling of Frances' case begin to grow. Details Episode 4 Aired Jul 26, 2021 Episode 4 As Frances becomes more embedded in the home, she makes progress with her plan and finds her weapon; things heat up for DI Strangeways as he becomes ever more convinced of the possibility of foul play. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 2, 2021 Episode 5 Frances is set to exact her revenge, then an unexpected turn of events threatens to derail her plans; having uncovered further leads into Frances' unsolved case, DI Strangeways is blind-sided by a surprising discovery. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 9, 2021 Episode 6 Frances struggles to deal with the fallout of her attempt to punish the man who killed her son; Strangeways scrambles to find answers before it's too late. Details

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The Beast Must Die — Season 1

The Beast Must Die: Limited Series Featurette - Behind the Scenes ft. Cush Jumbo & Jared Harris The Beast Must Die: Limited Series Featurette - Behind the Scenes ft. Cush Jumbo & Jared Harris 4:41 The Beast Must Die: Limited Series Trailer The Beast Must Die: Limited Series Trailer 0:59 View more videos
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The Beast Must Die — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Dome Karukoski
Executive Producer
Marina Brackenbury, Emma Broughton, Gaby Chiappe, Ed Rubin
Screenwriter
Gaby Chiappe
Network
AMC+
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Jul 5, 2021