Martin Freeman is one of those actors that once you've seen him listed in the credits you know it's going to be a good show. And while we're used to seeing him playing the good guy in a variety of series, be it as Sherlock Holmes' trusted sidekick Dr Watson, or as police officer Chris Carson in The Responder, we've not seen him in the antagonist role many times in his career. However, if you're looking to watch Martin in a project unlike anything else he's ever done then you need to watch StartUp.
Originally airing in the US in 2016, the series is now available to watch in the UK on ITVX and here is everything you need to know about one of Martin's best performances.
What is the StartUp about?
StartUp is a three series crime drama that is essentially about a corrupt crypto currency. Izzy Morales (Otmara Marrero) is a young programmer, who can't get funding for GenCoin, her new programme planned to replace traditional currency. However, her life changes for the better and the worst when she meets Nick from a traditional banking family (Adam Brody) and Ronald (Edi Gathegi), a Haitian gang lord, who both have their own reasons for wanting to help Izzy develop her fund.
Together, the three of them are plunged into an underworld in Miami while trying to get the currency off the ground. They run into more trouble when they encounter rogue FBI agent Phil Rask (Freeman) who is investigating Nick's finances.
The series is one of those forgotten shows that deserves far more praise than it got the first time around. It has an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with lots of positive reviews on IMDb too.
One viewer said of StartUp: "This dramatic, suspenseful series shows Martin Freeman in a role unlike anything I've seen before! His portrayal is excellent, but his character is unlikable. Everything about this production is extraordinary, especially the cinematography!" While another said it was "the best show on TV" and added: "Best show I've watched since Breaking Bad it's impossible to not just watch the next episode."
Who stars in StartUp?
Martin Freeman serves as the series main antagonist Phil Rask and here's who also joins him:
- Adam Brody as Nick Talman, a young disgraced banker whose family is full of dirty money, which he uses to help fund GenCoin.
- Otmara Marrero as Izzy Morales, the creator of GenCoin.
- Edi Gathegi as Ronald Dacey, the head of a Haitian gang based in Miami, who ends up becoming the business statergist of GenCoin.
- Ron Perlman as Wes Chandler, a ruthless crime boss who joins in season two.
- Addison Timlin as Mara Chanler, Wes' daughter.
Where can I watch StartUp?
All three seasons of StartUp are available to stream on ITVX now. Each season has 10 episodes in and so there's plenty to watch!
