Netflix’s newest show, “Bodies,” combines elements of detective drama, dystopian storytelling, and science fiction to offer a unique viewing experience. The series revolves around a murder victim and the four detectives investigating the case. What makes this show particularly intriguing is that the same body appears in four different timelines, spanning from the late 1800s to the early 2050s. With the tagline “Four detectives. Four timelines. One body,” viewers can expect a thrilling and mind-bending adventure.
“Bodies” is based on the graphic novel by Si Spencer and blends time travel, police procedural, murder mystery, and period drama genres. The stellar cast includes Amaka Okafor, Shira Haas (Emmy nominee), Kyle Soller (Olivier Award winner), and Stephen Graham (SAG Award winner). Graham’s involvement alone is enough reason for excitement, given his exceptional performances in recent projects like “Boiling Point.”
The graphic novel on which “Bodies” is based received rave reviews, with Comics Alliance praising its ability to seamlessly merge four distinct genres. Each timeline presents a different genre: a classic Victorian detective tale, a WWII-era detective noir, a modern urban horror, and a discombobulated science fiction in the year 2050.
In an interview with Netflix, show creator Paul Tomalin described “Bodies” as a “mind-snapping” police procedural with unexpected shifts and transformations. He referred to it as a “wolf in detective drama’s clothing.” The story begins with the discovery of a dead body in London, but what the initial detective doesn’t realize is that three other detectives in different timelines have also found the same victim. As each detective delves into the mystery, the timelines intricately weave together, unveiling a sinister conspiracy, potentially spearheaded by Stephen Graham’s authoritarian leader, as seen in the trailer.
Beyond the captivating storytelling, viewers can anticipate stunning visual imagination in “Bodies.” The graphic novel employed different artists for each story, giving each timeline its unique visual style. This ambitious approach to storytelling adds another layer of anticipation for the screen adaptation helmed by Tomalin. If executed successfully, “Bodies” has the potential to become one of the best Netflix shows this year.
Mark your calendars for October 19th when “Bodies” will be available for streaming.
