Forgotten BBC drama with Hollywood A-lister and The Walking Dead star now free to watch

There's a hidden gem of a series that's been overlooked for far too long, and it's now up for grabs online at no cost. Premiering in the era pre-dating streaming service dominance, the six-part political thriller made its mark on the BBC back in 2003.

Kicking off with a twisty tale involving the murder of an MP's aide and a purloined briefcase, the bereaved politician enlists the help of his seasoned campaign manager and a journalist chum to unravel the enigma of the harrowing deaths, reports .

Viewers were strapped in for a tumultuous ride, with this drama maintaining an impressive 8.3/10 score on IMDb.

The show's line-up is nothing short of dazzling, starring Scottish Hollywood sensation James McAvoy, post-apocalyptic The Walking Dead favourite David Morrissey, the charismatic Bill Nighy known from Love Actually, Kelly MacDonald of Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire fame, John Simm from the intriguing Life on Mars and Doctor Who, alongside Philip Glenister, his comrade from Life on Mars.

Interestingly, the cast also features Rory McCann - before he became The Hound in Game of Thrones - as well as Bridgerton's Polly Walker, Marvel's very own Benedict Wong, and Tom Burke, who later bagged the role of the central detective in Strike.

State of Play didn't just captivate television audiences; it spurred a 2009 American big-screen adaptation with heavy hitters like Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Dame Helen Mirren, and Rachel McAdams. But fans argue that the original British series outshines its Hollywood counterpart.

Rave reviews have flooded in on IMDb, including one viewer's comment: "This BBC political thriller mini-series is far superior to the American remake.

"If you like newsroom dramas, and films involving investigative journalism then you'll love this."

One enthused 10/10 review highlighted the essentials of a good political thriller: "What makes a good political thriller? Some things are obvious. Firstly, strong believable characters. Secondly, a fast-paced, complex, dazzling plot."

The critic underscored that despite potential complexity, "But the plot must resolve into something comprehensible - there may appear to be one hundred mysteries, but beneath the smoke and mirrors, there must be one story."

They added that success lies not in jumbling events, but rather storytelling that makes sense: "Anyone can write an infinite collection of coincidences and conspiracies - but a strong story makes simple sense in the end."

Echoing the praise, another audience member exclaimed: "What a trip watching this masterpiece."

They elaborated on the film's absorbing nature: "It's a fast moving intelligent thriller that had me glued to the couch... more addictive than Crack!".

Additionally, they commended the overall quality: "The acting is convincing, the plot is thick, the script is delicious and the characters are vivid."

State of Play joins the roster of entertainment streaming absolutely free on U, a brand new platform also hosting the Bergerac remake, Louis Theroux's L.A. Stories, Mad Men, Annika, and vintage episodes of EastEnders, The Shield, and Holby City.

The streamer offers access to UKTV's free-to-air channels like U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W, and U&Yesterday.

All this television gold is available on u.co.uk without spending a penny - simply sign up for a free account and feast on thousands of hours of complimentary TV. While U won't charge you anything, be prepared for some advertising breaks.

State of Play is streaming on U now on u.co.uk