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Fans of gripping police dramas which keep them riveted from the very first scene to the last will be thrilled to discover a series that delivers precisely that.

This British-Irish psychological crime drama may have first aired 13 years ago, yet judging by the wealth of glowing reviews it has accumulated since its debut, it could well be the finest of its kind - even eclipsing acclaimed classics such as Broadchurch and Prime Suspect.

Featuring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan in the principal roles, alongside John Lynch, Stuart Graham, Niamh McGrady, Archie Panjabi, Bronagh Waugh, Sarah Beattie, and Laura Donnelly, The Fall was penned and created for television by Allan Cubitt, making its debut on screens in 2013.

Shot and set in Northern Ireland, this compelling series has attracted extraordinary acclaim from both audiences and critics in equal measure, reports the Mirror.

The series' official plot states: "The psychological thriller examines the lives of two hunters - one is a serial killer who preys on victims in and around Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the other is a female detective drafted from the London Metropolitan Police to catch him. The local authorities have no suspects and no experience with cases involving sexually motivated serial killers; DSI Stella Gibson has.

"She heads a task force dedicated to solving the crime spree, with a simple motto: Anyone not part of the solution is part of the problem. The killer? He's Paul Spector, a father and a husband leading a double life, as viewers learn from the outset. He's hiding in plain sight, the protagonist in a cat and mouse game that is every police officer's worst nightmare."

Running for three seasons altogether, the opening two series of the programme were exceptionally well-received, garnering ratings of 96% and 94% respectively on Rotten Tomatoes. The third season's rating dropped marginally to 65%, though the programme boasts an impressive overall average of 85% across its entire run.

Viewers were captivated by The Fall, with one saying: "A crime show like no other, the protagonist and antagonist are fascinating, the mood the show creates is mysterious and dark, and the subtle social commentary perfectly blends with the show's narrative."

An IMDB review of The Fall reads: "I just rewatched this show for the 3rd time and still found it very realistic and disturbing. It's undoubtedly one of the best crime series that have ever been made.

"The show demonstrates a very in-depth psychological analysis into a serial killer's mind which is not often a case in a crime drama. It makes the killer resemble our real life but somehow his background story and the portrayal makes this character more compassionate."

Another IMDB user review heaps praise on the gripping crime drama: This is the best police drama I've seen in years. Acting is terrific, characters are complex, and the deliberate pacing is nerve-wracking.

"It's especially good at covering highly technical subjects (police procedure, mental health, E. R procedures, law) without being pedantic or over expository - just professionals doing their jobs."

One viewer revealed they were left shaken for hours after watching the 'captivating' series.

They added: "I was looking for something to pull me in and unplug me from reality and this series definitely does that. Both of the main actors were brilliant, and while from Gillian Anderson I expected, Jamie Dornan came as a surprise. It's been a roller-coaster, a captivating experience and I loved it, even if it left me shaken for a couple of hours afterwards."

While yet another review declares it to be the ultimate series to binge-watch.

They wrote: "A simply outstanding psychological thriller with a solid cast lead by Gillian Anderson (she can do no wrong) and Jamie Dornan. The latter turns in a chilling performance as the serial killer living the everyday life.

"The show is a rare gem, keeping me invested from start to finish. It also offers a finale that's both satisfying and bleak, giving the audience proper closure. If you're hunting for something to binge, look no further."

Critics were equally captivated, with one saying: "This show is binge watching at its best; it's at once compulsively watchable and intelligent, well-written and beautifully acted with compelling performances to boot."

Meanwhile, another reviewer drew parallels with Helen Mirren's acclaimed Prime Suspect, observing: "Anderson is fantastic as an updated version of DI Jane Tennison, Helen Mirren's detective in Prime Suspect - in her head she's the boss but in reality she isn't."

All seasons of The Fall are available to stream on Netflix.