Stephen King recommended Netflix series with ‘flat-out terrific’ first episode and 97% ratings

Stephen King has endorsed an 'exciting and mysterious' Netflix series with 97% ratings.

The beloved author, famed for his iconic horror novels, knows a thing or two about suspenseful storytelling.

And when Stephen King gives a TV series his seal of approval, you can bet it's worth watching.

The It novelist previously brought to our attention a 'smart' miniseries and a 'breath of fresh air' spy thriller.

And he reckons an action drama with a gripping first episode should also be on your watch-list.

The six-parter transports us to Australia, where we're introduced to a man who knows as little about himself as we do.

Stephen King regularly shares his top TV picks on social media (John Lamparski/WireImage)

Played by Jamie Dornan, he wakes up in a hospital following a violent car crash that's left him with memory loss.

With no ID and minimal clues, he attempts to figure out who he is and what on earth he's doing in the Australian outback.

With the help of Probationary Constable Helen Chambers (Danielle Macdonald) and other locals, he slowly unravels the mystery of his past.

What he discovers is darker and more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. Now, he must face the consequences of his own actions - whether or not he remembers them.

The series in question is The Tourist, which was awarded a near-perfect 97 percent by Rotten Tomatoes critics.

The show was a hit with critics (BBC)

As reported by Dread Central, King spoke highly of the show last February.

Taking to Twitter, King wrote: "THE TOURIST (Netflix): Don't know what happens after the first episode, but the opening chapter is flat-out terrific.

"Exciting, suspenseful, mysterious… and full of the kindness of strangers to someone down on his luck."

It appears he has since deleted the post - it's unclear why.

While many critics have commented on the show's unlikely plot, this didn't seem to impact The Tourist's ratings.

For the Irish Times, Ed Power wrote: "The Tourist is unbelievable in its own way. It is, in fact, merrily unhinged - and yet never less than addictive in its silliness."

Pop Culture's Tania Hussain agreed: "The show is an impressive piece of TV that plays to both the thriller genre and dark comedy side of writing with authentic and honest dialogue that often borders humorous."

Meanwhile, one fan commented on The Tourists' 'stellar cast', adding: "This show is absolutely underrated... and draws you in right from the start."

The discussion continued over on Reddit, where one fan just had to share their thoughts after binge-watching the show.

"The Tourist is excellent," they declared, as another viewer agreed: "I have seen two episodes so far and I can’t believe how hooked I am on this show."

The Tourist originally aired on BBC One in 2022 before joining Netflix US in 2024, coinciding with the release of its second season - which is also streaming on the platform. And if you could've sworn The Tourist looks familiar, then you might've spotted it on HBO Max before.

Both seasons of The Tourist are streaming now on Netflix in the US and BBC iPlayer in the UK.