Netflix viewers rush to watch ‘astonishing’ drama starring Sheridan Smith as beloved British icon

Sheridan Smith stars as Cilla Black in this three-part drama on Netflix (Picture: Patrick Redmond/ITV)

A three-episode drama about the British TV icon Cilla Black’s rise to fame, starring Sheridan Smith, has smashed into the Netflix top 10.

The synopsis for ITV series, Cilla, from 2014 – also featuring Aneurin Barnard and John Hanshaw – reads: ‘Working as a typist, Cilla Black dreams of stardom – but when her voice garners attention, fame brings its own mix of triumphs and trials.’

The show came out a year before the real-life singer and TV show host died in 2015 from a form of stroke known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Cilla was well known across the UK after starting her career as a singer – supported by The Beatles in the 60s.

After topping the charts with hits like Anyone Who Had a Heart and You’re My World, she pivoted to TV show hosting.

Most famously, she was the face of the long-running dating game show Blind Date from 1985 to 2003 and captivated audiences with her unique charm and onscreen personality.

The show traces her early rise to fame in the 60s (Picture: ITV)

The show specifically portrays her early career and the life-changing impact of the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein on the Liverpool native who was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White.

The titular star is played by Sheridan herself, to rave reviews.

‘Brilliant portrayal of Cilla by Sheridan Smith who also sings all the songs! Wow! The whole cast were fabulous. One not to be missed!,’ Julia Hawkes wrote on Google reviews.

‘Great performance by all and gives a great feel for the early 60’s in Liverpool,’ Helen McEntee echoed.

‘Brilliant. Loved this series, Smith always smashes it,’ Sarah Jane added.

‘Its so so so so so good!! Sheridan Smith is astonishing, I genuinely forget I’m not watching Cilla herself!’ Emma Hilts said.

The late TV personality herself shared her positive reaction to the show (Picture: Redferns)

As well as receiving the seal of approval from Black herself, the praise was also echoed by critics at the time.

‘Smith makes sense as Cilla because both women are talented performers whose lovable, down-to-earth personalities disguise an unswerving/hard-nosed ambition,’ The Independent shared.

‘Smith’s rendition of Anyone Who Had a Heart, which closed last night’s episode on a triumphant high, was if anything more impressive than Black’s own recording, her voice darker, bluesier and better suited to contemporary tastes. It could easily be a hit in its own right,’ The Telegraph reflected.

People have called the show ‘excellent’ and ‘astonishing’ (Picture: ITV/ Patrick Redmond)

Speaking about the experience bringing together this legend, Smith told The Mirror: ‘This show is about Cilla and capturing the buzz of the Merseybeat era. There’s never going to be a time like that again.

‘I wish I was around in that era, but playing Cilla is the next best thing. She is an icon and I just hope I do her story justice.’

The sitcom star reprised her role as Black to play her on stage in 2020 for Bill Kenwright’s stage production Cilla The Musical.

Cilla is available to stream on Netflix now.

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