Fans watch all 5 episodes of BBC drama at once as it leaves them 'destroyed'

A BBC drama, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, has left viewers utterly captivated, with many admitting they binge-watched all five episodes in one sitting.

Adapted from Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize-winning novel, the series has become an unexpected hit on BBC iPlayer, with audiences praising it as one of the most poignant and unforgettable shows of the year.

Starring Saltburn's Jacob Elordi and Belfast's Ciaran Hinds, who play younger and older versions of Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans, the drama spans generations - from a forbidden love affair before the war, through the brutal realities of Japanese imprisonment, to the lasting effects of psychological trauma.

The five-part series hasn't just impressed critics - earning a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes - it's also deeply moved viewers.

One fan wrote on Google's review platform: "Watched all 5 episodes in one evening. Very good series. War and love. Great acting, lovely soundtrack and a glimpse into the pain and suffering of WW2 and letting go of the love of your life.", according to the Express, reports the Mirror.

Another viewer said: "An outstanding series. Not an easy watch, but well worth it."

The emotional impact of the series has been profound, with numerous fans confessing that the show brought them to tears.

One fan said: "This series just destroyed me. I still cannot think about it without crying. Every moment, and every character, were compelling... A beautiful show. Highly recommend."

Another enthused: "There was a lot of human connection in this series and a very horrific scene and some sadness. This movie was interesting throughout and was very well paced. It didn't lose my attention at any point."

Told through flashbacks, the story centres on Dorrigo Evans, who becomes a reluctant war hero after surviving unimaginable horrors in a Japanese labour camp in Burma.

Yet it's the love affair he left behind - a secret relationship with his uncle's wife, Amy - that haunts him most deeply.

Odessa Young (Manodrome) plays Amy, whilst Olivia DeJonge (Elvis) stars as Dorrigo's wife Ella, and Simon Baker (The Mentalist) appears as his mate Keith.

Elordi and Young have been praised for their chemistry on screen, while Hinds brings emotional weight to the older Dorrigo, still haunted by his past.

Elordi told the BBC how physically gruelling the filming was, especially during the prisoner-of-war scenes: "We carried a real tree up the side of a cliff for I don't know how many hours. It was like being in a massive theatre production that was constantly playing."

Hinds said the novel had gripped him immediately: "It was extraordinary. It was harrowing, heartbreaking, a kind of epic storytelling."

Viewers have praised the series for its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of war.

One Google reviewer hailed it as "terrifying and moving to the soul," while many others have commended its cinematography, soundtrack, and emotional depth.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North is available for streaming in full on BBC iPlayer.