Netflix takes viewers for a deep dive into the grim tales brewing inside courtrooms with one legal blockbuster after another. Its latest library addition, Accused, carries the weight of human flaws and an even heavier battle with fate. In the Olivia Colman-starrer, there are no clear-cut villains; rather, it is rife with complex, multi-dimensional stories of individuals that induce intense thoughts. While Colman's profound empathy towards her characters is a huge asset for legal dramas, there is one name that is synonymous with the genre: Patrick J. Adams. And Netflix has been cashing in on that crucial connection. 

Never failing to preserve and present the best of storytelling to a global audience, Netflix has landed the decade-old show, thanks to the penchant of its subscribers for legal dramas beyond algorithmic push. 

The initial BBC Accused aired for two seasons between 2010 and 2012, boasting a stellar 92% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and consistently captivating episodes. Fox could not help but even recreate its American adaptation in 2023, starring Rachel Bilson, Patrick J Adams, and Cobie Smulders, adding to its enduring legacy. Adams took on A.I. in the episode titled, Marcus’ Story, wherein two friends fight each other while navigating the dark side of the technological boom. However, the US audience cannot watch it on Netflix. Nevertheless, they can still watch it on Hulu. 

Adams's Suits, which initially ran from 2011 to 2019, reportedly amassed over 57.7 billion minutes watched across Netflix and Peacock in 2023 alone. Adams, most recognized for playing Mike Ross in the Netflix-distributed series, is tangentially associated with its legal-drama offerings. Accused, as well, is not just a regular courtroom drama, but a mind-bending take on morality, guilt, innocence, and nuanced realities, and who better bring such storylines to life than Colman and Adams. 

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Almost like a universal truth, legal gems like Accused are meant for eyes that seek substantial depth in fiction that imitates life. 

Standing tall atop the charts, Olivia Colman's Accused is now streaming on Netflix UK, making it a perfect post-9 rollercoaster season Suits hangover cure for avid bingers. The show has a unique format, addressing the backstory of a different person accused of a crime per episode, constructing backwards from the trial to what happened to bring them to the harsh conditions of the courtroom. The accused in question here are not dismissed or diminished as monsters, but are injected with intricate storylines that weave into their legal scenario.

Created by Jimmy McGovern, the drama first aired on 15 November 2010 on BBC One for two seasons, starring Olivia Colman, Christopher Eccleston, Benjamin Smith, Juliet Stevenson, Andy Serkis, Marc Warren, Naomie Harris, Sean Bean, Anne-Marie Duff, and more playing the accused in each episode. Meanwhile, the US adaptation of the show starring Patrick J. Adams also remained faithful to the original format, which is a testament to its lasting impact on the genre of legal dramas. 

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Have you watched Accused on Netflix yet? Let us know in the comments below.