The British version of Mistresses (2008–2010) is widely regarded by critics and audiences as a superior, more grounded predecessor to the glossier American remake. It is praised for its "darker edge" and realistic portrayal of four complex women in Bristol whose lives become entangled through infidelity and secrets.
These are generally considered the show's peak, described as "glossy, gripping, and downright provocative" by IMDb reviewers. Many viewers on Amazon UK call it "addictive" and "one of the best shows the BBC ever did."
While mostly well-received, some reviewers found the storylines "ridiculous" or "silly" at times. A few critics argued that the show occasionally relied on "unbelievable cardboard stereotypes" and moralistic endings where infidelity always led to disaster. Mistresses (UK)
The lead cast—Sarah Parish, Sharon Small, Orla Brady, and Shelley Conn—receives high praise for their "outstanding" and "believable" performances.
This final series took a tonal shift, moving away from "cocktail dresses and gratuitous sex" toward "serious relationship angst," which some critics found less entertaining but more emotionally resonant. Criticisms The British version of Mistresses (2008–2010) is widely
Critics on Common Sense Media highlight that it successfully balances "guilty pleasure" soap opera elements with mature explorations of love, friendship, and the dark consequences of affairs. Seasonal Breakdown
Reviewers from Metacritic and The Guardian often compare the series to Sex and the City but note it has more "brains and gravitas" and a significant thriller element. Many viewers on Amazon UK call it "addictive"
Unlike the American version's "fashionably chic" aesthetic, the UK original features characters who look and act like ordinary people, making their emotional dilemmas more relatable.