Latest news with #SneakyPete
Tom's Guide
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just got Prime Video's most overlooked crime drama — and you can binge all 3 seasons right now
In August 2014, Bryan Cranston won his fourth and final Emmy for his performance as Walter White on "Breaking Bad" and made a speech that would inadvertently lead to his next TV project. 'I don't know why I have been blessed with an abundance of good fortune in my life,' Cranston began. 'I was a kid who always looked for the shortcut — schemer. My own family nicknamed me Sneaky Pete. My own family!' After thanking the academy, his family, the cast, and the crew, he concluded: 'I'd like to dedicate this award to all the sneaky Petes of the world.' The next day, Cranston got a phone call from Zack Van Amburg, the president of Sony Pictures Television, who pitched him a surprising idea: What about a show called "Sneaky Pete"? Seven months later, Cranston had teamed up with David Shore (creator of "House") to write and film a pilot, which aired in March 2015 on CBS. The network passed on the show, and a bidding war began, with "Sneaky Pete" ultimately getting scooped up by Amazon's Prime Video and premiering two years later. Positive reviews were enough to keep the series running for three seasons, but it never managed to break into the mainstream conversation, which is a shame, because "Sneaky Pete" is a truly excellent crime drama. Thankfully, that may finally be about to change. "Sneaky Pete" is streaming for the first time on Netflix as of July 10, meaning this overlooked show has a chance to reach its biggest audience ever. Here's why it's worth making "Sneaky Pete" your new summer obsession. "Sneaky Pete" stars Giovanni Ribisi (best known as the villain in "Ted" and Phoebe's brother in "Friends") as Marius Josipović, a con man who's released from prison as the show begins. Marius soon runs into a gangster he once robbed (Cranston), who wants revenge. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Thinking quickly, he remembers that his former cellmate, Pete Murphy, has some rich grandparents in upstate New York who haven't seen their grandson in 20 years. So Marius becomes Pete and heads north to start a new life and meet his new family. While this plan seems to work at first, it quickly arouses the suspicion of his new grandma (Margo Martindale). He's soon introduced to a sprawling family — including a female cousin he probably wishes he could kiss— leading to further complications. Marius' con-man instincts often make things worse, creating an increasingly tangled web of lies that he struggles to keep up with. "Sneaky Pete" season 1 also features a great B-plot focused on Marius' brother Eddie (Michael Drayer) and Cranston's gangster, which helps keep things moving as we're slowly eased into the world of the Murphys. If you're only watching for Bryan Cranston, however, be warned, he doesn't show up in any of the later seasons, which put more focus on the Murphy clan as those relationships continue to develop and new complications are introduced. The premise of "Sneaky Pete" may seem slightly contrived, but the execution is masterful, thanks in large part to showrunner Graham Yost ("Justified"), who came onboard after Amazon picked up the show with the goal of transforming it from a network drama to prestige television. A big part of that is Bryan Cranston, who was supposed to only get a glorified cameo but instead wound up with a small-but-significant season 1 role. Cranston clearly saw something special in "Sneaky Pete" and decided to stick around. The always-amazing Margo Martindale ("The Americans," "Justified") also does some heavy lifting to elevate the main plotline while Ribisi and the rest of the cast find their footing. Comparing the pilot episode, which was released on Prime Video unchanged, to the series that followed, it's easy to see how Amazon altered the original concept. It's darker and sexier, in the style of so many mid-2010s prestige shows. The overall structure still sometimes feels more episodic, with a clear adventure-of-the-week framing that might play better on CBS (especially early on in the show), but that doesn't mean you can't binge your way through multiple episodes (or even seasons) at a brisk pace. The most important question to ask about any older show before diving in is whether it sticks the landing. In this case, the answer is a resounding: sort of. Amazon canceled "Sneaky Pete" in 2019 after season 3, and while the series doesn't end on some huge, unresolved cliffhanger, it's also clear that the show's creators were already planning for season 4. Much of the third season is spent assembling various pieces and bringing important plotlines and characters into position. Yost seems like he was setting up for something big that we'll likely never get to see. Then again, if "Sneaky Pete" is a hit on Netflix, maybe a sequel of some sort could still happen (like with "Suits" and its recent spinoff show). But even if these three seasons are all we ever get, you won't regret watching this criminally overlooked crime series that never dipped in quality and just keeps getting better until its very last episode. Watch "Sneaky Pete" on Netflix and Prime Video
Metro
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix adds outstanding crime-thriller that you 'need to watch immediately'
Netflix has quietly added one of the sharpest and most addictive crime thrillers to its lineup – and fans are already calling it essential viewing. Sneaky Pete, a critically praised series that originally aired on Prime Video, has landed on Netflix this week (July 10), giving the con-artist drama a new life and a much bigger audience. The show stars Giovanni Ribisi as Marius, a skilled grifter who gets out of prison and immediately assumes the identity of his old cellmate, Pete, in a desperate attempt to dodge a dangerous enemy. But what starts as a simple case of identity theft quickly snowballs. Marius ends up embedded in Pete's family, who haven't seen the real Pete in over 20 years – and are now running a family-owned bail bond business with secrets of their own. Caught in a web of lies, Marius must balance playing the perfect 'long-lost grandson' while running cons of his own and trying to avoid being found by Vince, the violent gangster played with icy charm by Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston – who also co-created the series. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. It's sharp, fast-paced, and full of tension – the kind of series you tell a friend about halfway through episode two because it's just that good. Since arriving on Netflix, Sneaky Pete has been rediscovered by viewers who missed it the first time around, with fans calling it one of the most underrated shows 'that you need to watch immediately.' One Reddit user, @ershkan266, praised the series: 'THIS SHOW IS A MASTERPIECE.' 'Such an amazing show.' Dyxnsty added on reddit. The show originally ran for three seasons between 2017 and 2019. While it didn't become a massive mainstream hit at the time, it earned consistent critical praise and a loyal following for its clever storytelling and high-stakes twists. The first season holds a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising the show's tight plotting and strong performances across the board. Ribisi brings a unique mix of charm and vulnerability to Marius, making him one of the most complex and watchable antiheroes in recent TV memory. His constant juggling act – lying to a family who genuinely care about him, while running scams to stay ahead – is both thrilling and, surprisingly, moving. Then there's Margo Martindale, who steals scenes as Audrey, Pete's no-nonsense grandmother and the true powerhouse of the family. Marin Ireland, Peter Gerety, Shane McRae, and Libe Barer round out the ensemble, each bringing depth and intrigue to a family that might not be as innocent as they seem. If Breaking Bad is a show about a man becoming a criminal, Sneaky Pete is about a criminal learning what it means to be human – all while trying to stay alive and out of trouble. The show's creator, David Shore (House), left early in the process, but Graham Yost (Justified) stepped in as showrunner. Even more exciting? The real Pete eventually re-enters the picture, throwing Marius into an even deeper mess of his own making. More Trending While some fans were disappointed the series wasn't renewed beyond season three, others say it ended at the perfect moment – and now, thanks to Netflix, a whole new wave of viewers can experience the rollercoaster from the beginning. Social media users have already started posting about the show's return, with comments like, 'really good show that got no recognition.' – @randelpho on Reddit. It may have flown under the radar when it first aired, but with its arrival on Netflix, Sneaky Pete is finally getting the attention it deserves. View More » Sneaky Pete is available to stream now on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: WWE Evolution 2.0 UK start time on Netflix for all-women's show MORE: 'It's a one season banger': Your favourite underrated true crime shows MORE: My ex never wanted to get married — when we broke up, he got engaged
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix's Best New Show Boasts 96% On Rotten Tomatoes
Giovanni Ribisi and Bryan Cranston star in the critically acclaimed crime drama 'Sneaky Pete,' which ... More just made its move from Amazon Prime Video to Netflix. Every so often, a show sneaks onto your favorite streaming platform, totally catching you off guard; the kind of show you previously slept on, or maybe you never even heard it, only to wonder in retrospect why you didn't tune in, or how it ever flew under your radar. After all, the show's credentials speak for themselves: a crime thriller that boasts a 96% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, that was created by Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston, that somehow never found the audience it needed on Amazon Prime. Well, that show is now going to test the waters on Netflix—and it might just be about to steal your weekend. The series in question? Sneaky Pete, a con artist drama that originally premiered on Amazon Prime Video back in 2017. This critically acclaimed show that moved over to Netflix this morning sports three seasons of smart, suspenseful material. Yet, despite such glowing reviews (it currently sports 46 positive reviews and two negative ones on Rotten Tomatoes), and despite a stellar cast (Giovanni Ribisi, Bryan Cranston, Libe Barer, Marin Ireland, Michael Drayer and Margo Martindale), and despite three tightly written seasons of caper-filled entertainment, this show never quite reached the mainstream buzz it deserved. But now, with all 30 episodes available on Netflix, Sneaky Pete is finally positioned to find the massive audience it was always meant for. At the center of the story is our main character Marius (Ribisi), a gifted con man who, after serving time in prison, slips into the identity of his former cellmate, Pete Murphy (Ethan Embry). Posing as Pete, Marius ingratiates himself with his deceased cellmate's estranged family—a tight-knit group that hasn't seen the real Pete since childhood—in Bridgeport, Conn. The family matriarch, Pete's grandmother Audrey (Martindale, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 2017 Critics' Choice Television Awards), runs the family's struggling bail bonds business alongside her husband Otto (Peter Gerety) and accepts Marius with open arms. But Marius soon discovers the family carries deep, dark secrets of their own, and as Marius gets pulled deeper into their world, he must learn to navigate some escalating threats while also concealing his hidden agenda. All the while, a menacing gangster named Vince (Cranston) looms in the background, hunting Marius down for a debt that could cost him his life. As the con grows more complicated, new players enter the mix—Julia (Ireland), Pete's sharp and suspicious cousin; Carly (Barer), Pete's whip-smart teenage sister; and Taylor (Shane McRae), a hot-headed local cop. Throughout the series, these characters pose new challenges to Marius's carefully constructed lie. As evidenced by the 96% score, critics were effusive in their prais during the show's run between 2017-2019 (technically, the show's pilot episode premiered in 2015, but the first full season didn't play until 2017). Tim Goodman over at The Hollywood Reporter calls Sneaky Pete an 'immediately likable, unspooling with exhilaration," and that the suspense and drama never let up throughout the course of the story, that 'almost when we're not expecting or even needing it to, the series develops other favorable attributes that hint at a longer, more complex run.' Brian Tallerico of notes that while the writing isn't as dense or challenging as a similar show like Better Call Saul, 'it's not intended to be. This is more of a diversion, a miniature version of Ocean's 11 or Get Shorty with its twists and turns, memorable bad guys and complex cons.' Finally, Lorraine Ali of Los Angeles Times rightfully highlights the show's incredible ensemble cast, specifically noting the work of Cranston (who won multiple Emmys for his Walter White character on Breaking Bad), who 'doesn't appear all that often, but when he does, we're reminded of how terrifyingly calculated his characters can be.' If you're a fan of shows like Ozark, Better Call Saul, The Americans, or even The Talented Mr. Ripley—all programs that were praised by the same critics who loved Sneaky Pete—then this show could be right in your wheelhouse. The comparisons to such shows will become evident once you start watching: like Ozark, this Ribisi-fronted vehicle thrives on characters forced into criminal lives, without room to make a single mistake; like Better Call Saul, this slow-burn character study revels in the mechanics of cons, scams and second chances; and like The Americans, this unfortunately cut-short drama digs into the emotional cost of pretending to be someone you're not. But what sets Sneaky Pete apart is its lighter touch. It's not always grim or cynical; there's a charm to its world of lies, a thread of humanity that runs through every double-cross. The show understands that the best cons aren't just about getting away with something, but about about survival, about connection, about the blurry line between who we are and who we pretend to be. And now with all three seasons now on Netflix, Sneaky Pete is no longer hiding in plain sight. It's one of the smartest, most entertaining shows on the streamer—and now that it's within reach, there's no excuse not to press play.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix adds Bryan Cranston's 'must-watch' thriller fans still love - and it's not Breaking Bad
The third and final season of the show scored a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving it's one of the best series finales of all time Netflix is breathing new life into a captivating cult thriller that concluded several years ago. Featuring one of the biggest names in high-quality television, this three-season drama began in 2015 and was among Prime Video's most popular shows at the time. It wrapped up in 2019 and maintained critical acclaim throughout its entire run, earning near-perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes. In fact, the third and final season scored a coveted 100 percent on the aggregator, indicating it has one of the strongest conclusions to a popular drama in recent years. Starring Giovanni Ribisi with guest appearances from Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston in the first season, Sneaky Pete is now available on Netflix and is an absolute must-see, reports the Mirror. Whether you're a newcomer or eager to revisit one of your favourite dramas, this enthralling dark comedy about a con man who assumes the identity of his cellmate to avoid detection is not to be missed. A synopsis reads: "Sneaky Pete follows Marius, a con man who gets out of prison only to find himself hunted by the vicious gangster he once robbed. "With nowhere else to turn, Marius takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his cellmate, Pete and then 'reunites' with Pete's estranged family – who have no reason to suspect he is not their long-lost loved one." If you're still not convinced, take it from fans of the show who have lavished Sneaky Pete with hundreds of five-star reviews over the years. One Google user exclaimed: "Easily one of the best shows of the last few years. Watched it twice over now and the acting is impeccable. "Ribisi gives a fantastic performance and so does Margo Martindale and literally everybody else, the script and writing is great, the story is entertaining and keeps you at the edge of your seat and it even mixes in some comedic parts that don't feel out of place and aren't overused." Another viewer remarked: "One of the BEST series I've seen in such a long time. The entire cast does such a great job each season. "I'm a HUGE fan of Giovanni Ribisi and once again, he held it down. Bryan Cranston is also a great actor and I loved what he brought to season 1." Watch Squid Game season 3 - Free Netflix subscription This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £15 Sky Get deal here Product Description A different fan shared: "One of the main reasons I began streaming Amazon was for this show. I watched all three seasons in one weekend. "I was so wrapped up in the plot and the characters. I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am that it has been cancelled and there will not be a fourth season. It was that addictive!" And yet another enthusiast wrote: "Loved this series! The acting, writing, direction - all fantastic. "I really cared about the characters and loved watching them evolve. I loved season 3 and the ending. "It was fun as a wild ride, but it also had deep messages about belonging and love versus transactional relationships. I will be thinking about this show for a long time." Are you tempted to give Sneaky Pete a go this weekend? Sneaky Pete is available to stream on Netflix.
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Netflix adds thriller with near-perfect scores fans say is 'addictive'
Netflix adds decade-old thriller with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score fans say is 'addictive' A three-season drama starring one of the biggest names in prestige TV has been added to Netflix and it's an absolute must-watch Netflix is offering viewers a fresh opportunity to discover a compelling crime thriller that concluded several years back. Featuring one of television's most acclaimed actors, this three-series drama launched in 2015 and ranked among Prime Video's top-performing programmes during its original run. The show wrapped up in 2019, maintaining critical praise throughout its entire duration and achieving exceptional ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. The final series secured a perfect 100 per cent score on the review platform, marking it as one of the most satisfying conclusions to a beloved drama in recent memory. Led by Giovanni Ribisi, with notable guest spots from Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston in the opening series, Sneaky Pete has now landed on Netflix and deserves a place on your watchlist, reports the Mirror. Breaking Bad legend Bryan Cranston makes appearances in the first season (Image: PRIME VIDEO ) Article continues below Whether you're discovering it for the first time or eager to revisit a cherished favourite, this enthralling dark comedy about a fraudster who adopts his former cellmate's identity to evade capture is essential viewing. The official description states: "Sneaky Pete follows Marius, a con man who gets out of prison only to find himself hunted by the vicious gangster he once robbed. "With nowhere else to turn, Marius takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his cellmate, Pete and then 'reunites' with Pete's estranged family – who have no reason to suspect he is not their long-lost loved one." If further persuasion is needed, consider the countless five-star reviews from devoted viewers who have championed Sneaky Pete over the years. One Google user proclaimed: "Easily one of the best shows of the last few years. Watched it twice over now and the acting is impeccable. "Ribisi gives a fantastic performance and so does Margo Martindale and literally everybody else, the script and writing is great, the story is entertaining and keeps you at the edge of your seat and it even mixes in some comedic parts that don't feel out of place and aren't overused." Another individual remarked: "One of the BEST series I've seen in such a long time. The entire cast does such a great job each season. "I'm a HUGE fan of Giovanni Ribisi and once again, he held it down. Bryan Cranston is also a great actor and I loved what he brought to season 1." The third season scored a rare 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (Image: PRIME VIDEO ) Ginny and Georgia season 3 - Get Netflix free with Sky This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Ginny and Georgia. A different viewer commented: "One of the main reasons I began streaming Amazon was for this show. I watched all three seasons in one weekend. "I was so wrapped up in the plot and the characters. I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am that it has been cancelled and there will not be a fourth season. It was that addictive!" Lastly, an enthusiastic fan wrote: "Loved this series! The acting, writing, direction - all fantastic. "I really cared about the characters and loved watching them evolve. I loved season 3 and the ending. "It was fun as a wild ride, but it also had deep messages about belonging and love versus transactional relationships. I will be thinking about this show for a long time." Article continues below Are you tempted to binge-watch Sneaky Pete this weekend? Sneaky Pete is available to stream on Netflix.
