The BBC’s gut-punch dystopian drama Years and Years is officially streaming on Netflix UK, and let’s just say — it’s not the kind of show you throw on in the background. Originally released back in 2019, the six-part miniseries from Doctor Who mastermind Russell T Davies has suddenly found a second life. And honestly, it might be more powerful (and more disturbing) now than it was when it first aired.
Social media is buzzing, Reddit threads are blowing up, and TikTok is full of clips that feel… a little too real. Turns out, Years and Years wasn’t just ahead of its time — it was practically psychic.
So Wait, What Is Years and Years?
At its core, Years and Years is a sci-fi-tinged family drama that plays out like a slow-motion disaster. It follows the Lyons family, a perfectly average bunch living in Manchester, as they try to navigate the next 15 years of rapid-fire societal collapse. That includes everything from political unrest and economic meltdowns to refugee crises, tech gone wild, and the terrifying rise of authoritarian leaders.
Emma Thompson absolutely owns her role as Vivienne Rook — a blunt, populist outsider who rides chaos and controversy straight into political power. Sound familiar? Yeah, it’s supposed to. The show doesn’t pull punches when it comes to calling out the way extremism sneaks into mainstream politics under the guise of “common sense.”
You’ve also got a powerhouse cast around her: Russell Tovey, T’Nia Miller, Rory Kinnear, Ruth Madeley, and Jessica Hynes, all delivering performances that ground the bigger sci-fi themes in real, human heartbreak.
It’s smart, emotional, occasionally terrifying, and painfully relevant — and that was true even before everything that’s happened over the last few years. Now, in 2025, the show’s predictions don’t just feel accurate. They feel like they’re already happening.
Why Everyone’s Talking About Years and Years Again
So why is it trending now? Simple: Years and Years quietly landed on Netflix UK on April 13, and the algorithm (along with a lot of word-of-mouth) is doing its thing. The show’s finally reaching a wider audience — many of whom missed it the first time around.
But here’s the kicker: it’s still not on Netflix in the U.S. If you’re stateside, you’ll need to watch it on Max (formerly HBO Max) or buy it on Apple TV, Amazon, or similar platforms. That lack of access might explain why it never blew up in the U.S. the way it should have.
Now that it’s back in the spotlight, people are realizing just how much the show got right. Like, uncomfortably right. The growing role of AI in everyday life? Check. Climate collapse and rising sea levels? Check. Mass surveillance, misinformation, housing crises, economic inequality? Check, check, check.
The comparisons to Black Mirror are obvious, but Years and Years hits different. It doesn’t rely on sleek tech horror or standalone cautionary tales — it sticks with one family over time, showing how massive global changes filter down into their everyday lives. It’s not just dystopian. It’s deeply personal.
Why It Hits Harder Now Than It Did in 2019
Back when it first aired, Years and Years got plenty of critical love — an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Critics’ Choice nominations, and heaps of praise for Emma Thompson’s chilling performance. But let’s be honest: it was maybe too much for some people at the time. A little too bleak, a little too intense.
Now? It feels like we’re living in its timeline.
And that’s exactly why it’s blowing up again. Viewers aren’t just watching it — they’re feeling it. Because the show doesn’t deal in abstract dystopias. It shows you a family dealing with broken systems, failing governments, and a future that’s closing in fast. It makes the global personal. And that’s what makes it so effective — and honestly, so hard to shake.
There’s also renewed attention on Russell T Davies himself. With his return to Doctor Who and a growing list of bold, politically charged projects, he’s being recognized not just as a sci-fi guy, but as a writer who really gets where the world’s heading.
Final Thought: Now’s the Time
If you skipped Years and Years when it first came out, this Netflix drop is your second chance. Just… be prepared. It’s brilliant, but it’s not exactly a feel-good binge. It’s a little too real, a little too close — and completely unforgettable.
Whether it eventually hits Netflix in the U.S. or not, this show is finally getting the love it deserves. And if the future looks anything like what it predicted? Well, it’s better to be ready.
