Fans of the high-stakes, violent world of Netflix's Narcos have a new binge-worthy obsession, as Channel 4 makes the gritty Spanish mafia thriller Marbella available to stream for free.
A New Eden for Organised Crime
The series, which first aired in Spain in 2024, plunges viewers into the sun-drenched but sinister underbelly of the famous coastal city. While Marbella is often seen as a party paradise or the setting for luxury property shows, the drama reveals its darker reputation. Based on reporting by journalist Nacho Carretero, it's described as 'the United Nations of the organised crime world'.
The show's tagline teases: 'Marbella’s a Garden of Eden for organised crime, with 100 apples – and 200 snakes.' The story centres on César, a morally flexible lawyer played by Hugo Silva. Acting as a fixer and middleman for warring cartels, his life spirals out of control when he alienates the powerful figures he once served.
Where to Watch and What the Critics Say
Viewers in the UK can now dive into the entire first season, comprising six intense episodes, via Channel 4's specialist foreign drama strand, Walter Presents. A second season of another six episodes exists but is not yet available on the platform.
The show has drawn inevitable comparisons to Narcos, with its focus on drug cartels and law enforcement. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 6.5 out of 10. One reviewer, Daniel, acknowledged some clichés but called the final product 'entertaining', advising: 'If you love similar series, you’re going to enjoy this one... Put your expectations in the right place and enjoy.' The blend of legal manoeuvring and cartel violence has also led some to describe it as 'Better Call Saul meets Narcos'.
Is Marbella Your Next Binge?
For those who thrived on the relentless pace and brutal stakes of Narcos, Marbella offers a fresh, Spanish-language fix. It presents a complex web of loyalty and betrayal, set against a deceptively beautiful backdrop. With the first season readily available for streaming, it poses the perfect question for a weekend viewing schedule: will César outrun the dangerous world he helped create?
Marbella is available to stream now on Channel 4.
