Legends creator Neil Forsyth has said writers have “got to be brave” when tackling sensitive real-life material, as he defended the way his new Netflix drama portrays criminal networks and communities.
The six-part British crime thriller, which premiered on May 7, 2026, follows a secret Customs and Excise operation in the early 1990s where ordinary civil servants are recruited into undercover roles to infiltrate Britain’s heroin trade.
These agents are given fabricated identities known as legends, allowing them to enter dangerous criminal organisations while maintaining their cover lives.
Speaking to GBNews.com and other press, Mr Forsyth appeared to take a thinly-veiled swipe at cautious attitudes in broadcasting when discussing how he approached the material.
Tom Burke stars as the lead character Guy in the 2026 Netflix crime thriller series
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Netflix
When asked about concerns around how broadcasters – specifically the BBC – approach depictions of real communities on screen, he said: “I think you just need to be brave in the telling of it and not worry too much.
“You’re not traducing an entire community by correctly recognising that there was a criminal network within it.”
The screenwriter added: “You’ve just got to trust the research.”
The comments came as Mr Forsyth explained how the series was inspired by real undercover officers he met while developing the show.
The show’s writer had a humorous telephone encounter with Steve Coogan
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“The genesis came from hearing Ben Farrellman, and then we heard about Guy’s story. So that was the starting point for Tom Burke’s character,” he said.
The show creator revealed he travelled across the UK meeting former operatives whose lives formed the basis of the drama.
“They were just so normal on the surface, but had these incredible backstories.”
He added that the emotional impact on those involved was central to the story.
Aml Ameen on set of Legends
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NETFLIX
“What did it do to the people involved is always kind of more interesting,” he said.
“Every single one of the legends was very open about the fact that it made such a seismic effect on their lives, not necessarily positively.”
Mr Forsyth also spoke about how real experiences were shaped into characters for the screen.
He said: “I always get quite annoyed when people talk about these shows and say, ‘Oh, some of the characters are fictional,’ because almost none of the characters are fictional.
“They’re all based on real people, but usually based on more than one, and it’s a compositing of people.”
Touching on his casting choices, he also recalled a humorous misunderstanding involving Steve Coogan, who plays Don Clarke.
“I was waiting for an Amazon delivery, and this Amazon driver kept calling me,” Mr Forsyth said.
“I was like, ‘Where are you?’ and he said, ‘I’m in my car.’ I said, ‘Where are you?’ and he said, ‘Steve Coogan.’
Screenshot from Legends official trailer
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NETFLIX
“And I said, ‘I thought you were an Amazon driver,’ and he just said, ‘Not yet.’”
He continued: “He just knew the part and came in and played it as part of the ensemble.”