Temple on Netflix: Daniel Mays’ Underrated Medical Crime Drama Now Streaming

Key Points

• Temple is a British crime drama originally created for Sky and now streaming on Netflix
• The series stars Daniel Mays and Mark Strong in lead roles
• It follows an underground illegal medical clinic operating beneath a London Tube station
• Mark Strong plays Dr. Daniel Milton, an underground surgeon treating criminals
• Daniel Mays portrays Lee Simmons, a transport worker and fixer managing illegal operations
• The storyline revolves around Milton funding his wife’s terminal illness treatment
• The clinic is located beneath Temple tube station in London
• The show is an adaptation of the Norwegian series Valkyrien
• Cast includes Carice van Houten, Catherine McCormack, Lily Newmark, and Wunmi Mosaku
• Both seasons of Temple are available on Netflix
• Critics have described the series as “utterly bonkers – yet somehow brilliant”
• The show blends crime, moral conflict, and medical thriller elements
• Reviews highlight strong performances by Daniel Mays and Mark Strong

London (Britain Today News) June 15, 2026 – Temple, the gritty British crime drama starring Daniel Mays and Mark Strong, has found a new audience after arriving on Netflix, despite originally being produced for Sky. The series, now being rediscovered by viewers in 2026, is being described by critics and audiences alike as a “gripping crime drama” with an unusual medical-thriller twist that sets it apart from conventional television storytelling.

The show’s resurgence highlights the growing trend of older British series finding renewed popularity through streaming platforms, where global audiences are increasingly discovering overlooked dramas featuring high-profile actors.

At its core, Temple explores the morally complex world of illegal medicine, underground surgery, and desperate human choices driven by love, survival, and financial desperation. The series blends emotional storytelling with crime thriller intensity, offering viewers a dark, atmospheric journey beneath the streets of London.

What is Temple about and why does it stand out as a medical crime thriller?

Temple follows the life of Dr Daniel Milton, played by Mark Strong, a highly skilled surgeon who operates outside the law. According to the official Netflix synopsis, the series centres on “a London surgeon [who] runs a black-market medical clinic under a tube station, where he treats wealthy criminals as he searches for a cure for his dying wife.”

The clinic itself is hidden beneath Temple tube station, creating a claustrophobic and secretive environment that reflects the moral darkness of the story.

Milton’s motivation is deeply personal. He is driven by desperation to fund experimental treatment for his terminally ill wife, Beth Milton, played by Catherine McCormack. This emotional foundation pushes him into the criminal underworld, where he begins treating patients who cannot seek conventional medical help due to legal risks or criminal exposure.

Daniel Mays plays Lee Simmons, a transport worker who becomes Milton’s fixer. Lee manages logistics, patient coordination, and the delicate operations required to keep the illegal clinic running without detection.

As the narrative unfolds, the show explores the ethical collapse that occurs when survival and morality collide in extreme circumstances.

How does Lee Simmons fit into the underground operation?

Lee Simmons, played by Daniel Mays, is one of the most crucial characters in Temple. He is not a doctor but acts as the operational backbone of the illegal clinic.

As reported within the series narrative, Lee handles patient connections, coordinates transport routes, and ensures that individuals seeking illegal treatment are safely moved in and out of the underground facility.

His role is morally ambiguous. While he is not performing surgery, he is deeply embedded in the system that enables illegal medical practice.

Critics have repeatedly praised Daniel Mays for bringing emotional depth and unpredictability to the character. The Times noted that:

“Mays is possibly the only British actor who could play this part and inspire a strange blend of terror and affection, even making you laugh when he shoots a cop.”

This duality defines Lee’s presence in the series—both comedic and dangerous, compassionate yet criminal.

Who are the main cast members of Temple and what roles do they play?

The ensemble cast of Temple significantly contributes to the show’s layered storytelling. Alongside Mark Strong and Daniel Mays, the series features several notable actors:

• Carice van Houten plays Anna Willems, a medical researcher reluctantly involved in the underground clinic
• Catherine McCormack portrays Beth Milton, Daniel Milton’s terminally ill wife
• Lily Newmark plays Eve Milton, the couple’s daughter navigating emotional turmoil
• Tobi King Bakare appears as Jamie Harris, one of the clinic’s patients
• Wunmi Mosaku plays Mercy King, connected to Jamie Harris
• Chloe Pirrie appears as DI Karen Hall
• Craig Parkinson plays Keith Sullivan
• Ryan McKen appears as DI Rob Moloney

Each character contributes to the show’s tension between law enforcement, medical ethics, and underground survival networks.

The interplay between these characters creates a constantly shifting moral landscape where alliances are fragile and trust is rare.

Why is Temple considered a morally complex drama?

One of the defining aspects of Temple is its exploration of ethical ambiguity. The show does not present clear heroes or villains; instead, it places characters in situations where survival often overrides morality.

Dr Daniel Milton’s decision to operate an illegal clinic is driven by love and desperation, yet it places him firmly outside the law. Similarly, Lee Simmons’ involvement reflects both opportunism and loyalty, making his motivations difficult to categorise.

The Guardian praised the show’s complexity, describing it as:

“a quite wonderful, if possessed of laughably dubious ethics drama-thriller… the strength of Daniel Mays and Mark Strong feels more urgent, more substantial.”

This moral tension is what elevates Temple beyond a standard crime drama. It forces viewers to question what they might do in similar circumstances.

Where is Temple set and how does its location influence the story?

The series is set in London, with the underground clinic located beneath Temple tube station. This setting is not just atmospheric but symbolic.

The underground environment represents secrecy, moral decay, and hidden truths beneath the surface of everyday society. The claustrophobic tunnels and bunker-like clinic reinforce the idea that the characters are operating outside normal societal structures.

The setting also contributes to the show’s tone, which is often dark, tense, and psychologically intense.

How does Temple compare to its original Norwegian version Valkyrien?

Temple is adapted from the Norwegian series Valkyrien. While both share the core premise of an underground medical clinic, the British adaptation introduces a more urban and emotionally grounded narrative.

According to critics, the UK version places stronger emphasis on character psychology and moral conflict, particularly through the performances of Mark Strong and Daniel Mays.

The Guardian suggested that the adaptation feels:

“more urgent, more substantial [than the Norwegian original].”

This indicates that the British version has been refined to appeal to international audiences while maintaining the original concept’s intensity.

What are critics saying about Temple’s storytelling style?

Critical reception of Temple has been mixed but largely positive, with praise focusing on performances and originality.

The Standard described the show as:

“a cheerful absurdity… It is slow, with periodic violence. But give it time. This series has a broader canvas, and the pieces take a while to fall into place.”

The Telegraph was more enthusiastic, calling it:

“utterly bonkers – yet somehow brilliant.”

These contrasting opinions reflect the show’s unconventional pacing and tone, which blends slow-burn drama with sudden bursts of violence and tension.

Why is Daniel Mays’ performance being widely discussed?

Daniel Mays’ portrayal of Lee Simmons has been singled out as one of the most compelling aspects of the series. Known for roles in Line of Duty and other British dramas, Mays brings a distinctive energy to the character.

His performance balances humour, unpredictability, and emotional depth, making Lee one of the most memorable figures in the series.

His ability to shift between comedic timing and moral unpredictability has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike.
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How does Temple reflect modern British crime drama trends?

Temple reflects a broader trend in British television towards morally complex, character-driven crime dramas.

Instead of focusing solely on police investigations, the series dives into underground systems, ethical dilemmas, and personal motivations.

This aligns it with other modern British dramas that prioritise psychological realism over procedural storytelling.

The show’s popularity on Netflix also demonstrates the global appetite for British storytelling that combines realism with high-stakes drama.

Why is Temple gaining renewed popularity in 2026?

The resurgence of Temple in 2026 can be attributed to several factors:

• Increased visibility on Netflix’s international platform
• Renewed interest in Daniel Mays and Mark Strong’s performances
• Growing demand for dark, character-driven thrillers
• Social media discussions highlighting underrated British series

As streaming algorithms continue to surface older content, shows like Temple are finding second lives with audiences who missed their original broadcast.

What makes Temple a standout addition to Netflix’s crime drama catalogue?

What distinguishes Temple from other crime dramas is its combination of medical ethics, underground crime networks, and deeply personal storytelling.

The fusion of surgical precision and criminal desperation creates a unique narrative space rarely explored in television.

Its underground setting, morally conflicted characters, and emotionally driven plotlines ensure that it remains memorable long after viewing.