The Guest (2025 TV series)

Last updated

The Guest
GenreThriller
Written byMatthew Barry
Directed byAshley Way
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Matthew Barry
  • Rebecca Ferguson
  • Nick Andrews
  • Davina Earl
  • Nicola Shindler
ProducerKaren Lewis
Production companies
Original release
Network BBC One
Release1 September (2025-09-01) 
22 September 2025 (2025-09-22)

The Guest is a British television drama miniseries written by Matthew Barry and directed by Ashley Way. It stars Gabrielle Creevy and Eve Myles. The series premiered on BBC One on 1 September 2025, with all four episodes released simultaneously on BBC iPlayer.

Contents

Synopsis

A cleaner becomes captivated by her wealthy employer's charismatic influence. As their intense friendship grows and secrets emerge, their relationship spirals into a dangerous psychological game where nothing is quite what it seems. [1]

Cast and characters

Production

The series is written, created and executive produced by Matthew Barry, and is a co-production between BBC Cymru Wales and Quay Street Productions for BBC One. [2] Davina Earl and Nicola Shindler executive produce for Quay Street Productions, with Rebecca Ferguson and Nick Andrews for the BBC. The series is directed by Ashley Way and produced by Karen Lewis. [3]

The show was filmed in September through to November 2024 in Cardiff. [4] [5]

Broadcast

The series premiered on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on 1 September 2025. [6] [7] [8]

The series will premiere in America on Showtime and Paramount+ on Friday October 17th. [9]

Reception

Reviews of the series were generally positive, with most awarding four or three stars.

Rebecca Nicholson, writing in The Financial Times , called The Guest "a gripping gothic tale of rich and poor", awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. [10]

Anita Singh, writing in The Telegraph , described the series as "surprisingly moreish", comparing it to a Harlan Coben thriller, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. [11] Carol Midgley of The Times also gave 4 out of 5 stars, praising the writing and pace, which hints at "darkness beneath the glossy surface." [12]

Elle Magazine described the series as "wildly addictive." [13]

Lucy Mangan, writing in The Guardian , gave it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it "a gloriously ridiculous thriller that slips down a treat". [14] Vicky Jessop of The Standard also gave it 3 out of five, praising the acting but calling the plot "really silly". [15] James Hibbs, writing in Radio Times , also awarded three stars, praising the direction and acting, and calling the first three "brilliantly crafted", but finding the resolution wanting, with too many mystery elements. [16] Digital Spy also gave it three stars, saying "Creevy and Myles give exceptional performances that ground some of the more fantastical elements of the story". [17]

The Independent was less complimentary, awarding the series 2 out of 5 and calling it "hogwash... like a deranged game of Jenga". [18]

References

  1. The Guest, Eve Myles, Gabrielle Creevy, Emun Elliott, Quay Street Productions, 19 October 2025, retrieved 5 October 2025{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Sarrubba, Steffania (21 September 2024). "BBC announces Cardiff-set thriller from Fool Me Once producers". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  3. "BBC books new Quay Street drama, The Guest". Televisual. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  4. Geisinger, Gabriella (23 September 2024). "BBC drama 'The Guest' to film in and around Cardiff this month". kftv.com. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  5. Gosley, Ellie (4 November 2024). "Eve Myles spotted filming new BBC drama in the heart of Cardiff". Walesonline. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  6. Sayce, Rebecca (3 July 2025). "Broadchurch star in first look at BBC's exciting new "fast-paced" Wales-set thriller". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  7. "The Guest cast and creatives tease surprises and jump scares in twisty drama thriller that "keeps you guessing"". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. "BBC One - The Guest, Episode 1". BBC. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  9. Whittock, Jesse (2 October 2025). "Showtime Acquires 'The Guest' & 'Coldwater' From ITV Studios As British Buying Spree Continues". Deadline. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  10. "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  11. Singh, Anita (1 September 2025). "This BBC thriller about money and the class divide is surprisingly moreish". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  12. Midgley, Carol (1 September 2025). "The Guest review — is it the twists that have me hooked, or Eve Myles's wardrobe?". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  13. "'The Guest': BBC's New Thriller Is 'Wildly Addictive'". ELLE. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  14. Mangan, Lucy (1 September 2025). "The Guest review – a gloriously ridiculous thriller that slips down a treat". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  15. Jessop, Vicky (2 September 2025). "The Guest on BBC One review: this Eve Myles thriller is utterly unhinged". The Standard. Archived from the original on 3 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  16. Hibbs, James (1 September 2025). "Gabrielle Creevy and Eve Myles are electric". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  17. Leigh, Janet A (1 September 2025). "Eve Myles' totally far-fetched BBC thriller is undeniably addictive because of this one thing". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  18. "Hamburger icon". independent.co.uk. 23 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.