Why Utopia deserves a Netflix revival The news that cult British TV drama Top Boy is to get a Netflix revival in 2019 has been widely […]

The news that cult British TV drama Top Boy is to get a Netflix revival in 2019 has been widely welcomed. It’s encouraging to see a ‘lost’ show brought back in this fashion by the streaming giant.

But there is another cult British saga that also deserves to be revived for a belated third series.

Stylish, unique and consistently fascinating, offbeat conspiracy thriller Utopia is ripe for a return on Netflix.

i's TV newsletter: what you should watch next Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Where is Jessica Hyde?

Dennis Kelly’s astonishing series took in a mythical comic book, ruthless assassins and a rag-tag team of ordinary people who stumbled upon a terrible secret.

Both they and audiences were faced with the mysterious, ominous question: ‘Where is Jessica Hyde?’

Bold and distinctive, Utopia made genuine shockwaves when it debuted on Channel 4 in early 2013.

Praised for its eye-catching visuals, distinctive tone and unforgettable blend of dark comedy and nightmarish brutality, it really was one of the most original TV dramas in years.

Its soundtrack, an unsettling yet quirky electronic work from Cristobal Tapia de Veer, could not have been more fitting.

De Veer has since gone onto to provide similarly eerie and effective music for Humans and Electric Dreams.

When Channel 4 cancelled Utopia in October 2014, despite its second series seemingly setting up further plotlines, there was a palpable fan backlash across social media.

The subsequent news that David Fincher’s planned American remake of the drama had been cancelled only rubbed salt in the wound.

Why a revival makes sense

Speaking of Fincher, the highly-regarded Hollywood director has found small-screen success on Netflix with both House of Cards and Mindhunter.

Both these shows prove the suitability of Netflix as a vehicle for a third season of Utopia.

Corrupt, scheming politicians in House of Cards? Complex, morally murky detective drama with Mindhunter? Utopia has both aspects in abundance.

Utopia’s first series followed a band of misfits who found themselves in possession of a graphic novel rumoured to have predicted the worst disasters of the last century.

This led them to be targeted by a sinister Illuminati-style organisation, led by senior politicians and spies, determined to protect a terrifying apocalyptic plan at all costs.

Series two expanded upon the mythology; opening with a prequel instalment and widening and exploring the context and backstory of the conspiracy.

It also provided more depth and development for its characters – including a compelling arc for fan favourite Wilson Wilson.

Its conclusion was perfectly poised for a follow-up that never came.

To be continued?

Utopia’s twisted moral dilemmas and motley cast of characters would be right at home on Netflix. As would its marriage of absurdist humour with genuinely troubling scenes.

Netflix even successfully took on another warped Channel 4 property, Black Mirror, from last year.

Channel 4 noted in their cancellation statement of Utopia that the show had “achieved fervent cult status over two brilliantly warped and nail-biting series”, before adding: “It’s always painful to say goodbye to shows we love.”

Netflix is proving, however, that we needn’t say goodbye forever.

Top Boy is getting its comeback in 2019. Utopia deserves to have its own revival too.