Gripping Edinburgh crime thriller Payback is available to stream for free on ITVX

A seemingly ordinary family life takes a devastating turn in Payback, the six-part ITV crime thriller that plunges an Edinburgh mother into a dangerous world of organised crime, police investigations and betrayal.

Originally broadcast in 2023, the drama follows Lexie Noble, played by Morven Christie, whose comfortable life with her husband Jared and their two children is shattered when Jared is murdered in what initially appears to be a random attack.

The six-episode series was written by Debbie O’Malley and executive produced by Jed Mercurio, the acclaimed producer behind Line of Duty. ITV describes the drama as a character-led thriller centred on a police operation targeting notorious crime lord Cal Morris.

A family secret changes everything

Lexie has spent years at home caring for her six-year-old daughter and is preparing to return to work at the accountancy firm she runs with Jared.

From the outside, the family appears settled and secure. But Jared has been hiding a dangerous secret.

Unknown to Lexie, he has been laundering huge sums of money for Cal Morris, a powerful crime boss played by Peter Mullan. Jared’s financial activities have also placed him under the watch of financial investigators DC Jibran Khan, played by Prasanna Puwanarajah, and DCI Adam Guthrie, played by Derek Riddell.

Jared’s death therefore leaves Lexie facing far more than grief. His hidden dealings have pulled her directly into an investigation aimed at bringing Cal to justice.

Lexie is caught between the police and a crime boss

As the investigation gathers pace, Lexie finds herself at the centre of a dangerous conflict.

Cal forces her to work for him, leaving her trapped between the criminal organisation she never knew her husband was involved with and the police officers trying to dismantle it.

With the police operation closing in, Lexie has to navigate an increasingly dangerous situation while attempting to protect herself and her family.

Her position becomes even more precarious as Cal’s influence over her grows and the authorities tighten their focus on his criminal activities. ITV’s original description of the series similarly places Lexie on a dangerous path between Cal and the police, with her safety and life at risk.

Morven Christie leads a strong cast

Alongside Morven Christie and Peter Mullan, the series features Prasanna Puwanarajah as DC Jibran Khan and Derek Riddell as DCI Adam Guthrie.

The cast was one of the elements singled out by critics when Payback premiered. The Guardian praised the quality of the ensemble, describing the drama as a fast-moving crime series with strong performances throughout.

The newspaper’s review also highlighted Christie as convincing in the role of an ordinary woman suddenly caught in an extraordinary and increasingly dangerous situation, while Mullan brings a menacing presence to Cal Morris.

The series was produced by Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television, with Debbie O’Malley as writer. ITV commissioned the drama as a six-part crime thriller in 2022 before its 2023 broadcast.

Viewers praise the twists and performances

Payback has attracted positive reactions from viewers, particularly for its cast, storyline and unexpected turns.

One IMDb viewer described it as a gripping thriller with a strong storyline, a “wonderful cast” and scenes filmed in Glasgow and Edinburgh that showcase some of the cities’ architecture.

Another viewer called it a must-watch, praising the writing, tension and performances.

A further review highlighted the script’s twists and turns, saying the story remained difficult to predict and praising the work of the writers.

The Guardian’s review was more measured, awarding the drama three out of five stars while praising its cast and describing it as a fast-paced crime drama.

Watch the trailer

ITV released an official trailer ahead of the drama’s 2023 premiere, featuring Morven Christie, Peter Mullan, Prasanna Puwanarajah and Derek Riddell.

Where to watch Payback

Payback consists of six episodes and is available to stream on ITVX. ITV’s official information confirms that the complete series was made available for streaming on the platform.

For viewers looking for an Edinburgh-set crime drama built around murder, financial crime, police investigation and a woman forced into a world she never expected to enter, Payback offers a tightly focused six-part story led by Morven Christie.