British television has been having a major moment lately, with hits like Baby Reindeer and Adolescence capturing global attention. But while those shows are certainly worth your time, there's a treasure trove of older UK gems that deserve a spot on your watchlist. One such hidden gem is A Mother's Son, a compact two-part thriller that originally aired on ITV back in 2012 and is now available to stream on BritBox and Prime Video.
This isn't your typical whodunit. At its core, it's a deeply unsettling family drama that throws a mother into an absolute nightmare scenario. The series follows Rosie, a divorced mum living in a quiet coastal town in Suffolk with her teenage kids. She's recently remarried to Ben (Martin Clunes), and life seems to be settling into a comfortable rhythm—until a local schoolgirl named Lorraine Mullary is found murdered.
What makes this story so gripping is the slow, creeping dread that builds as Rosie starts to suspect her own son, Jamie (Alexander Arnold), might be involved. She discovers a pair of bloody trainers hidden in his room, and it comes to light that Jamie has been spending time with Sean Christie, an older dropout with a troubled past. Rosie initially keeps her fears from Ben, instead turning to Jamie's father, David (Paul McGann), for help. But as more evidence piles up—including Lorraine's missing phone turning up in Jamie's possession—the question becomes: did Jamie commit the murder, help cover it up, or is he just hiding something else?
The real tension of A Mother's Son lies in the moral dilemma Rosie faces. If she truly believes her son could be guilty of a terrible crime, does she protect him at all costs, or does she do the "right" thing and hand him over to the police? This impossible choice tears her family apart, straining her relationship with Ben and her new blended family, all while the police investigation—led by the always-excellent Nicola Walker—continues in the background.
Critics have praised the series for its taut, absorbing storytelling. The Guardian called it "very good – tense, absorbing, thrilling," and noted that it might hit especially hard for mothers, who can't help but wonder what they would do in Rosie's shoes. The publication even warned it could send a "chilly shudder" through any parent, even those with kids as young as six months old.
At just over an hour and a half total, A Mother's Son is the perfect one-night binge. It's a quick, compelling watch that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. If you're a fan of shows like Adolescence or novels like Gillian McAllister's Wrong Place Wrong Time, this is the next thing you should queue up. And if you're looking for more recommendations, check out our list of the best thrillers of the last five years or our weekend binge guide for more ideas.
