When you think of Kyle Soller, you might picture the rigid, obsessive Syril Karn from Andor. But before he was marching for the Empire, Soller delivered an even more vulnerable performance in Netflix's underrated sci-fi series Bodies. This eight-part thriller, based on the graphic novel by Si Spencer, is a time-bending mystery that might have flown under your radar—but it's anchored by a performance that deserves your attention.
Bodies drops viewers into four different eras—1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053—where four detectives each stumble upon the same corpse in the same London alley. The victim, a man with ties to a future dictator, sets off a conspiracy that spans centuries. It's a heady mix of police procedural and sci-fi, but what really makes it work is the human story at its core.
Soller plays Detective Inspector Alfred Hillinghead in the 1890 storyline. He's a man of duty, devoted to his wife and daughter, but when he meets Henry Ashe (George Parker), a charming reporter, his carefully ordered world begins to crack. Soller masterfully portrays Hillinghead's internal conflict—the stern Victorian facade slowly giving way to a desperate, tender longing. It's a performance that echoes his work in Andor but with a softer, more heartbreaking edge.
The series cleverly weaves Hillinghead's personal struggle into the larger plot. As he investigates the mysterious body, he faces corruption, blackmail, and the brutal realities of a society that criminalizes his very identity. Soller's portrayal of a man forced to choose between living honestly and living safely is the emotional heart of the show. His scenes with Ashe are electric, filled with a raw vulnerability that makes you feel every ounce of his fear and hope.
What's remarkable is how Soller balances Hillinghead's initial austerity with his later openness. Early on, he's all stiff collars and rigid propriety, but as the story unfolds, we see the mask slip. In a séance scene gone wrong, or when he pleads with Ashe to flee, Soller's pleading eyes and trembling voice convey a lifetime of suppressed desire. It's a transformation that makes Hillinghead one of the most compelling characters in the series.
Beyond the romance, Bodies is a thrilling ride. The four timelines converge in a clever narrative that keeps you guessing until the end. The show explores themes of power, control, and the nature of love itself—with the villain, Elias Mannix, believing that everyone should 'know what it means to be loved.' It's a chilling idea that gives the story a philosophical weight.
If you're a fan of Andor and want to see Soller stretch his acting muscles, Bodies is a must-watch. It's a show that proves he's not just a one-note villain—he's a versatile actor capable of breaking your heart. And with its recent addition to Netflix's Top 10, it's clear that audiences are catching on. So if you're looking for a binge-worthy sci-fi drama with a soul, give Bodies a chance. You won't regret it.
