Netflix fans are captivated by a British thriller ‘full of twists and turns’, gushing about how ‘it kept them guessing until the very end’ and binge-watching every episode in one sitting. 

Love Rat, first released to Channel 5 in March last year, follows Emma (Coronation Street’s Sally Lindsay), a woman at a crossroads in later life. 

Just divorced from husband Pete (Men Behaving Badly’s Neil Morrissey) and estranged from her daughter, she grows tired of mundane everyday life. 

In search of escape, she travels to Cyprus on holiday where she quickly embarks on a whirlwind romance with handsome, rich H๏τel owner Niko (Gerald Kyd) – but not all is as it seems. 

Emma suddenly finds herself scammed out of her life savings – and enlists her ex to help get them back. 

Fans have taken to film review and catalogue site IMDb to admire the four-part series, initially seemingly some fun in the sun, which turns into a psychological thriller. 

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Love Rat, first released to Channel 5 in March last year, follows Emma (Coronation Street’s Sally Lindsay, pictured ), a woman at a crossroads in later life after divorcing husband Pete (Men Behaving Badly’s Neil Morrissey, pictured)

In search of escape, she travels to Cyprus on holiday where she quickly embarks on a whirlwind romance with handsome, rich H๏τel owner Niko (Gerald Kyd, pictured) – but not all is as it seems

Emma suddenly finds herself scammed out of her life savings – and enlists her ex to help get them back

One commenter said: ‘When you first watch episode one, you think it’s going to be about a general love rat romance on holiday, stealing money etc. 

‘It’s from episode two onwards it then becomes so much more!’ 

Another added: ‘It’s one of the drama highlights of 2024 and certainly one of Channel 5’s better drama offerings. 

‘I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not often these days do I binge watch a show.

‘Full of twists and turns. Expect the unexpected. It’s loaded with suspense and keeps you guessing until the very end.’ 

Someone else, who could recommend watching it one sitting, said: ‘A realistic scenario of psycho narcissistic abuse lurks behind the series’ true plot twist. 

‘This series has moments of suspense well-played. Well done to [the] actors involved in this… Great series.’ 

Love Rat was only uploaded to Netflix last weekend – but it has quickly soared up the charts and is currently the third most-watched programme on the streamer in the UK. 

Love Rat was only uploaded to Netflix last weekend – but it has quickly soared up the charts and is currently the third most-watched programme on the streamer in the UK

Fans have taken to film review and catalogue site IMDb to admire the four-part series, initially seemingly some fun in the sun, which turns into a psychological thriller

Its recent resurgence in popularity comes despite a series of negative fan reviews (pictured) it has received since its initial release last year

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Its recent resurgence in popularity comes despite a series of negative fan reviews it has received since its initial release last year. 

One said: ‘Love Rat had potential as a fun thriller but it’s let down by poor acting, clunky direction and low-budget production. 

‘The plot is implausible, the pacing drags and character development is shallow. Sally Lindsay tries her best but the script gives her little to work with.’  

Speaking to WhatToWatch ahead of the show’s release last year, Sally – known as Shelley Unwin on ITV soap Coronation Street – said of her character Emma: ‘Stealing your money is horrific but stealing your heart is unforgivable. 

‘The scam is like an emotional theft. It’s about manipulation. Niko’s lit fires in her and unleased something that hasn’t been there for years and suddenly, he’s gone.’ 

She continued: ‘We represent the everywoman and everyman this affects. When I was in Cyprus, we heard stories about it happening to people. It’s sad how prolific it is.’ 

Her co-star Neil, who plays her ex-husband, agreed, adding he had even fallen victim to a scam once himself. 

He once received a fake text message saying a parcel had not been delivered – and suddenly found £100 having been taken from his bank account. 

The popularity of Love Rat comes after another Netflix thriller (pictured) captured viewers’ attention too 

The Madness (pictured), an eight-part limited series available to watch on the streamer, has been hailed as ‘addictive’, ‘twisty’ and ‘worthy of a binge’ 

It delves into the tale of news commentator Muncie Daniels (Colman Domingo, pictured) who discovers the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ body of a ‘notorious white supremist’, as per the synopsis 

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Neil fortunately managed to get the money back because he contacted his bank quickly: ‘You feel foolish but these people are clever.’ 

The popularity of Love Rat comes after another Netflix thriller captured viewers’ attention too. 

The Madness, an eight-part limited series available to watch on the streamer, has been hailed as ‘addictive’, ‘twisty’ and ‘worthy of a binge’. 

It delves into the tale of news commentator Muncie Daniels (Colman Domingo) who discovers the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ body of a ‘notorious white supremist,’ according to the synopsis.

He soon finds himself caught up in the homicide investigation and is framed for the murder.

The programme has received rave reviews since it premiered back in 2024 and has a respectable 76 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

FandomWire described The Madness as ‘a strong political, psychological chess match worthy of a binge’.

The Telegraph, meanwhile, rated the series four out of five stars and dubbed it ‘instantly addictive’.

Love Rat is available to stream on Netflix.