If you’re craving a twisty, character-driven crime drama thatblends a murder mysterywith a deeply dysfunctional family saga, the British seriesI, Jack Wrightshould be at the top of your list. This six-part drama combines the high-stakes legacy drama ofSuccessionwith the layered intrigue and family secrets ofKnives Out, while still feeling fresh and distinctly its own. It all begins with the apparent suicide of Jack Wright (Trevor Eve), a wealthy brick manufacturing mogul. But when the terms of his will are revealed, shockwaves ripple through the Wright family, unearthing long-buried secrets and simmering resentments. With itssmart structure, sharp writing, and standout performances,I, Jack Wrightis a must-watch series.
What is ‘I, Jack Wright’ About?
After the sudden death of Jack Wright, his large family gathers to hear what the self-made billionaire has left behind. In a shocking twist, his third wife, Sally (Nikki Amuka-Bird), and two oldest sons, Gray (John Simm) and John (Daniel Rigby), are largely cut out of the will, while his granddaughter, Emily (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis),inherits the bulk of his estate. The unexpected decision sparks a bitter family feud and launches a criminal investigation thatbegins to unravel long-buried secretsand resentments.
Detectives DCI Hector Morgan (Harry Lloyd) and DC Katie Jones (Liz Kingsman) soon suspectJack’s death wasn’t suicide but murder. As they dig into each family member’s motives, more comes to light about the kind of man Jack was as a husband, a father, and a businessman, and what may have led to his downfall. Jack was far from perfect, andthe family he left behindis no different. Each characteris layered and morally gray,wounded, desperate, and hiding truths that only deepen the mystery.
Each episode is cleverly bookended withmockumentary-style interviewsset two years after Jack’s death. These glimpses of the characters in unexpected circumstances make the present-day events even more compelling, as viewers are left to wonder how they ended up there and what they may still be hiding. While the show leans intothemes of legacy, greed, and revenge, it’s ultimately not just about money. It’s about what Jack’s decisions, and the perceived disrespect behind them, meant to the people he left behind. With every new revelation,I, Jack Wrightchallenges viewers toquestion how much anyone’s version of the truth can really be trusted.
‘I, Jack Wright’s Ensemble Makes the Show a Must-Watch
Much likeSuccessionandKnives Out,I, Jack Wrightthrives on its ensemble, and the casting is pitch-perfect across the board.Nikki Amuka-Bird stands out as Sally Wright, Jack’s third wife, whose polished, composed exterior begins to unravel as buried truths come to light. She walks a fine line between victim and opportunist, constantly renegotiating her place in a family where love is conditional and tensions threaten todivide even her own children. In the future timeline, her predicament is one of the most intriguing elements, making you want to keep watching just to understand how she ended up there.
John Simm brings a raw vulnerability to Gray, the eldest son and a former music producer spiraling from addiction and unhealed wounds. His relationship with Jack was defined by neglect, and the emotional fallout lingers in every scene. Daniel Rigby is equally compelling as John, the younger son who initially steps into run the family business, only to be blindsided by Emily’s unexpected inheritance. Long seen as the son Jack favored,it soon becomes clear that the truth is far more complicated.
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Ruby Ashbourne Serkis captures Emily’s blend of youthful inexperience and sharp intuition with precision, making her one of the show’s most compelling characters. Though she runs a tech business of her own, she’s suddenly thrust into the center of a sprawling corporate empire that she’s not entirely prepared to inherit. As the series unfolds,Emily’s motives grow increasingly ambiguous, raising whether she’sa far more strategic playerthan anyone expected. In many ways, she may be more like her grandfather than she’s willing to admit, and perhaps far more powerful than her family realizes.
The extended cast is just as strong.Gemma Jonesbrings warmth and quiet heartbreak to Rose, Jack’s first wife, who’s on her own emotional journey in the wake of his death.Zoë Tappergives John’s wife, Georgia, a magnetic intensity, initially coming across as harsh and calculating, but graduallyrevealing a far more complex characterwith deeper secrets than anyone anticipated. Meanwhile, Harry Lloyd brings depth and quiet gravitas to DCI Hector Morgan.More than just a detectivemoving the plot along,Morgan is also grappling with his own family strugglesas he tries to untangle the chaos of the Wrights.
Witha stellar ensemble cast, razor-sharp writing, and perfectly timed twists,I, Jack Wrightis well worth the watch. While there’s no official word on a second season,the finale ends on a shocking cliffhangerthat all but demands a renewal. The world it builds is too rich and the characters too compelling not to continue the story. Either way, Season 1ofI, Jack Wrightdelivers on it all. Whether you’re herefor the family drama, the murder mystery, or simply a gripping character-driven story, this series will hook you from start to finish and leave you eager for more.
Season 1 ofI, Jack Wrightis available to stream on Britbox.
I, Jack Wright
