“As good as Sherwood”: 7 “outstanding” Lesley Manville dramas to watch now on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more

Take a bow, Lesley Manville! Having kicked off her early career with a stint on Emmerdale Farm (as it was known in the 1970s), she's come a very long way indeed. She's been BAFTA-nominated for roles in the likes of River, Mum and Sherwood, Oscar-nominated for her performance in romance drama Phantom Thread - and even won two Laurence Olivier Awards... phew!

So when it comes to outstanding performances, there are a lot of them - and that's why we're on hand to help. From her role as a British diplomat in faultless spy thriller Citadel to that in binge-worthy crime drama River, these are the Lesley Manville dramas you'll want to watch in one go. Spoiler: one is even as good as Sherwood! So, grab the remote and get ready for a serious binge session.

The Crown

Lesley Manville brings a quiet elegance to her role as Princess Margaret in Netflix's megahit drama The Crown. She plays the royal in series 5 and 6, capturing the royal in her later years, following performances by Vanessa Kirby and Helena Bonham-Carter who played out Margaret's more rebellious one. Episode 8 of series 6 is a highlight, as it’s devoted beautifully to the friendship shared between Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II as sisters. You can watch all of series 1 to 6 now on Netflix.

Sherwood

Critics have called Sherwood the most compelling show in years and we can’t argue with that. In writer Stephen Graham's Nottinghamshire-set series, Lesley plays Julie, the grieving widow of former miner Gary Jackson. While clearly haunted by the past, Julie is resilient, warm and strong, and she becomes a beacon of hope as the story unfolds. If you need more convincing, Lesley’s turn in Sherwood earned her a BAFTA nomination. Watch series 1 and 2 now on BBC iPlayer.

Citadel

This faultless spy thriller sees Lesley step into the shoes of the chic yet chilling Dahlia Archer, a British ambassador who's also a puppet master, orchestrating global chaos from behind diplomatic doors. With just one icy look, she delivered a bone-chilling picture of villainy in the role - and we love her all the more for it. Series 1 is available to watch now on Prime Video, ahead of series 2 arriving in 2026.

Moonflower Murders

Murder mystery Moonflower Murders was one of the BBC’s most-watched acquired scripted shows in 2024 - and Lesley played a huge part in that. She stars as Susan Ryeland, a former book editor who finds herself involved in baffling murders, bringing her literary expertise to the cases. Lesley plays Susan with a sharp intelligence and warmth, in a welcome reimagining of the ‘amateur sleuth’ archetype. You can watch all of series 1 on BBC iPlayer now.

Harlots

If there’s one thing Lesley Manville is, it’s versatile, and 2017 drama Harlots is a prime example. The series sees her transform into a ruthless brothel owner, one serving glitzy aristocracy and royalty in 18th-century London. Clad in a towering, powder white wig and meticulously corseted gowns, she lit up the screen as Lydia Quigley, a quick-witted and emotionally stark madam. Series 1 and 2 of Harlots is available to watch on Prime Video now.

I Am Maria

Lesley Manville’s turn in Channel 4's I Am… series is the kind of performance that makes your heart stop for a second. Part of a collection of raw, female-led dramas that first aired in 2019, Lesley's episode, I Am Maria, centres around, you guessed it, Maria, a woman at a crossroads in her life as her marriage becomes increasingly suffocating. With her 60th birthday bringing those feelings of unhappiness to the forefront, we see Maria weighing up whether or not to leave the relationship. I Am Maria is available to watch on Channel 4 now.

River

A detective drama that’s also a ghost story, River has multiple layers of intrigue. Alongside Nicola Walker and Stellen Skarsgård, Lesley stars as Chrissie Read, a brilliant investigator who's stretched very thin. As well as managing a group of Greater London police, she has her own four unruly teens to wrangle - a hard feat indeed, and one that eventually takes its toll on Chrissie. Sherwood might have been called the most compelling show in years - but we think River is just as good! The entire six-part series is available to stream on ITVX.