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Adolescence icon's forgotten Netflix period drama branded 'waste of time'

Netflix fans are switching off a period drama based on a classic novel both "absurd" and "boring".

[Adolescence icon's forgotten Netflix period drama branded 'waste of time']

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Adolescence icon's forgotten Netflix period drama branded 'waste of time'(Image: NETFLIX)

Despite Line of Duty and Baby Reindeer stars dominating the cast, Netflix subscribers are advising others to steer clear of this "travisty" of a best-selling book adaptation.

Netflix users typically can't get enough of period dramas, with critically acclaimed shows like Bridgerton, The Queen's Gambit and the iconic Peaky Blinders being firm favourites.

However, not all period dramas meet the mark, with viewers claiming that one Netflix show, based on Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel, has been labelled as a "waste of time".

Set in late 1880s London, the three-part drama centres around shopkeeper Anton Verloc, who covertly spies for the Russian embassy and becomes embroiled in a plot to bomb the Greenwich Observatory.

Despite the show being rooted in a classic book and its plot inspired by real-life anarchist plots, specifically the 1894 bombing attempt at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, fans have been left underwhelmed.

The Secret Agent, which first aired on BBC One in 2016 before being added to Netflix last year, has been dubbed a "travesty" on IMDb.

[the Secret Agent actor stephen graham]

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The Secret Agent stars actor Stephen Graham as Chief Inspector Heat.(Image: BBC)

One viewer commented: "Frankly if that's the best the adaptor [they] can do best just leave it...a waste of everyone's time.

A second agreed: "With hardly a superfluous word, it could easily be adapted into a 90 minute film; but this adaptation lasts three hours, and is slow-paced and boring."

Meanwhile, another viewer observed: "The Secret Agent might have worked as a satire or adapted to a comedic format but, as serious drama, to me, it feels like an absurdity."

Many viewers expressed surprise at their disappointment, given the programme's impressive ensemble cast.

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The Secret Agent stars actress Vicky McClure as Winnie.(Image: BBC)

The three-part series features Mr Bates Vs the Post Office star Toby Jones in the lead role as shopkeeper Anton Verloc.

He's accompanied by not one but two Line of Duty favourites: Vicky McClure, celebrated for her portrayal of Kate Fleming, who takes on the role of Verloc's wife Winnie, alongside Stephen Graham, who appeared as John Corbett in series five, now playing Chief Inspector Heat.

Graham is also widely recognised for his acclaimed performance in the Netflix drama Adolescence, with the second instalment of his latest period drama, A Thousand Blows, launching on Disney+ this week.

The cast also includes Baby Reindeer and Mr Selfridge actor Tom Goodman-Hill as Assistant Commissioner Stone.

[The Secret Agent actor toby jones]

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The Secret Agent stars actor Toby Jones as shopkeeper Anton Verloc.(Image: BBC)

Under the heading "disappointed", one viewer wrote: "I really wanted to like this.

"Terrific cast, and Toby Jones has elevated many a prosaic piece.

"What I couldn't forgive was the language: everyone seemed to speak in some kind of formal English which was unrecognisable.

"Sometimes scriptwriters don't seem to give a s**t."

The Secret Agent is currently available to stream on Netflix.

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