Every Steven Knight TV show ranked – the busiest man in the industry who’s set to write Bond

Steven Knight has been consistently creating new TV shows and movies, but he’s been especially prolific this year.

This year has been busy for him, with the release of his series *A Thousand Blows*, a second season of *SAS Rogue Heroes*, and *The Veil* on Channel 4. Plus, *House of Guinness* recently premiered on Netflix.

Knight has been consistently busy with film work, including a previously announced, but now cancelled, Star Wars script and, more recently, being confirmed as the writer for the new James Bond film directed by Denis Villeneuve. He’s incredibly prolific.

With the recent release of House of Guinness, we decided to revisit the work of author Bernard Knight and rank all of his series. This got us thinking – is A Christmas Carol better than Great Expectations? And how do This Town and Taboo stack up against each other?

We left out his films to ensure readers could finish the book before Christmas.

Here’s a complete list of Steven Knight’s television shows, ranked from best to worst – including Peaky Blinders and House of Guinness.

11. A Christmas Carol

While some might disagree, I believe this is truly the low point. This version of A Christmas Carol isn’t just the worst show created by this director, but also one of the poorest adaptations of Dickens’ classic story we’ve seen – and there have been many over the years.

Some viewers will likely appreciate Knight’s attempt to add a darker, more realistic edge to the classic Dickens tale. However, many will probably find it unpleasant, especially since the story begins with a boy urinating on Ebenezer Scrooge’s partner Jacob Marley’s grave – a scene that follows the urine as it soaks into the ground, coffin, and ultimately, the corpse.

The result was a deeply upsetting experience in three parts, filled with unnecessary and disturbing depictions of child abuse and sexual assault. It completely missed the point of *A Christmas Carol*, which is about finding redemption. The addition of a poorly conceived plotline where Scrooge sexually harasses and humiliates Mary Cratchett made him so unlikeable that his eventual change of heart felt impossible to believe, and he remained unforgivable.

Mary’s shocking reveal that she’s been working with ghosts, and that she has more schemes planned, is where this adaptation truly fails. It’s fine to update a story, and that’s often why we revisit classics like Dickens – especially when a fantastic version, like *The Muppet Christmas Carol*, already exists. However, this version completely misses what makes the original story special, and not just in a figurative sense.

10. All the Light We Cannot See

This Netflix series launched with a lot of buzz in 2023, but the fact that it’s already faded from most people’s memories speaks volumes.

Based on a novel that won a Pulitzer Prize, this production boasts high quality visuals, a talented cast including Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie, and introduces exciting new performers like Aria Mia Loberti and Louis Hofmann. Everything suggested it would be a hit.

The story feels disorganized and unevenly paced. It’s hard to follow, and makes you question if it would have been better as a movie or if it simply works best as a novel. The multiple timelines feel confusing and aren’t used effectively, and the story relies too much on explaining things instead of letting the visuals and action speak for themselves. Long stretches of dialogue fall flat, and the story struggles with balance – some parts feel hurried, while others feel drawn out and slow.

Ultimately, the story feels surprisingly superficial, which is a major flaw considering its serious themes, historical context, and the questions it tries to explore.

10. The Veil

Okay, so this American thriller is director Matthew Vaughn stepping into the world of espionage for the first time on television. Honestly, it’s got me a little nervous – I’m hoping this show doesn’t reveal too much about his vision for the upcoming James Bond film! I’m trying to go in with an open mind, but it’s hard not to wonder if this is a test run for some of those bigger ideas.

Unfortunately, this installment didn’t really deliver. While it had some of the expected spy action and moved at a decent pace, it felt very predictable and lacked originality. The dialogue was awkward, and the characters weren’t particularly well-developed.

The connection between the characters played by Elisabeth Moss and Yumna Marwan was engaging and created suspense, and thankfully, the series was brief, lasting just six episodes.

This work doesn’t quite reach the level of Knight’s most impressive and intricate creations, and it’s missing the unique stylistic flair he’s known for.

8. See

“See” is a visually striking and intriguing series with a unique science fiction premise and Jason Momoa in the lead role. However, despite its strengths, it doesn’t quite come together as a fully satisfying show.

The show definitely gets better as it goes on, and it’s a positive sign for Apple TV+. However, if it had been on a different streaming service or traditional network, it likely wouldn’t have lasted past its first season, which wasn’t very well-received.

The show was ultimately allowed to continue, and became known for its exciting action sequences and strong acting, even though the storyline didn’t always feel worth the time. Episodes sometimes felt slow and lacked clear direction, and occasionally included odd comedic choices that didn’t quite fit.

Knight’s writing truly shines when he draws inspiration from existing stories, especially those rooted in history. However, when creating entirely original myths, he seems less confident and his work feels somewhat lost.

7. Great Expectations

Knight’s second adaptation of a Dickens novel is an improvement over his first for a couple of reasons. It doesn’t try as hard to be shocking, and the story itself hasn’t been adapted quite as often, giving it a slightly more original feel.

But the biggest reason to watch is Olivia Colman. She’s brilliant as Miss Havisham, bringing energy and life to scenes that could easily have felt dull or gone on for too long.

Fionn Whitehead delivers a compelling performance as Pip, and the series benefits from a welcome dose of humor that lightens the overall tone. While not every attempt lands perfectly – a particular scene with Mr. Pumblechook and an iron rod feels a little off – it consistently keeps the story engaging.

I have to say, watching this new adaptation felt a bit like the issues with previous versions, but stretched out over six episodes instead of just three. It wasn’t *bad*, exactly, but it definitely didn’t stand out and I doubt I’ll remember it much compared to other versions of the story I’ve seen.

6. This Town

Stephen Knight’s series, ‘This Town,’ is clearly a heartfelt tribute to his hometown and his younger years. You can really feel his deep affection for the people, the setting, and the time period it portrays. As someone also from the Midlands, it’s incredibly engaging and uplifting to watch.

The series also has many other strengths. The young actors are perfectly cast and bring a lot of energy to their performances. The show is surprisingly heartfelt and moving, which is a bit different from what you might expect from this creator. And, fitting the story, the music is excellent.

The main issue with the show is its lack of focus. It often feels more like an atmospheric exploration of ideas than a story with a clear direction. While the show introduces many intriguing concepts, they aren’t fully developed or explored.

Considering it takes six full episodes just to see the main characters actually form a band – which is supposed to be the heart of the story – ‘This Town’ becomes one of the more frustrating shows from its creator, despite hinting at real potential.

5. Taboo

Taboo showcases Knight exploring darker themes, and considering my feelings about his previous adaptations of Dickens, you might expect this to be a negative thing.

Though not his most outstanding film, this atmospheric piece benefits from compelling performances, especially by Tom Hardy, and a touch of gothic style, offering a strong exploration of its characters and a fresh narrative.

The series isn’t afraid to get weird and experimental, adding surprising and otherworldly elements that keep you guessing and create a dreamlike, unforgettable experience.

The show remains funny and features a strong performance from Hardy, which explains why fans have been eager for another season since it first aired. While one of the show’s stars has hinted at a continuation, it hasn’t happened yet.

4. A Thousand Blows

Earlier in 2025, director Knight and Stephen Graham, who often work together, released this boxing drama. While the movie’s pace wasn’t always perfect, it was visually striking, offered a fresh take on an interesting piece of history, and featured compelling, well-developed characters.

Graham, Malachi Kirby, and Erin Doherty all deliver outstanding performances, clearly invested in their characters and the story.

The chemistry between Hezekiah and Mary is lively and entertaining, and Sugar, played by Graham, is a complex and wounded character who is consistently fascinating to watch.

It’s fortunate the show has the ‘Forty Elephants’ storyline, because focusing solely on who will become the top boxer has limited potential. They can only fight each other so many times while still making it feel important. Hopefully, season two will introduce a more consistently engaging plot to drive the story forward.

3. SAS Rogue Heroes

After two successful seasons and with a third already planned, this World War II drama showcases a more energetic side of the creator. It’s a departure from the somber tone of his previous historical dramas, which could easily have focused on the war’s tragedy and devastation.

Knight aims to capture the raw energy of the SAS during its beginnings, giving the series a rebellious and modern vibe. He uses contemporary rock music to make the stories feel alive, and the characters are surprisingly relatable and current.

The series has successfully brought attention to lesser-known aspects of the war, something that seemed unlikely before. It’s highlighted parts of the conflict that haven’t been widely covered in movies or television.

Sometimes, the movie leans a little too heavily into lightheartedness, considering the serious subject matter of a devastating war and the lives lost. However, when it focuses on the harsh realities of war and evokes genuine emotion, those moments are powerfully effective and deeply moving.

2. House of Guinness

It’s probably too soon to say for sure, as it’s only just come out and opinions can change, but I think House of Guinness is the best series in the Knight universe we’ve seen in years.

While this isn’t his most groundbreaking work, it definitely feels like classic Knight – and that’s perfectly fine. He’s simply doing what he does best, crafting a fictional tale inspired by the true story of the Guinness family.

The on-screen connections between characters are truly engaging, and the actors deliver outstanding performances. While the show’s budget hasn’t been officially revealed, it appears to be Steven Knight’s most lavish production yet. Everything looks incredibly impressive, which enhances the story’s epic scale and makes for a visually stunning experience.

After watching all eight episodes, audiences will likely be eager for a continuation. The series has built a rich and detailed world, suggesting it could continue for many seasons, exploring the individual stories of its characters in greater depth.

Of course, we all know what tops it though…

1. Peaky Blinders

Was there any doubt? Peaky Blinders deserves the top spot, not just because it’s popular or from a well-known creator, but because it’s genuinely exceptional.

This series captures the strong sense of place found in ‘This Town,’ blends real history with imagined stories similar to ‘House of Guinness,’ features striking visuals like those in ‘A Thousand Blows,’ and delivers the fast-paced excitement of ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’.

Honestly, what really grabs me about Peaky Blinders is the characters. Seriously, from Cillian Murphy’s incredible performance as Tommy Shelby to the late, great Helen McCrory as Polly, they’re all so well-developed and complex. Even when the show gets bigger and more complicated with all the plot twists, it’s those characters that keep me hooked. They’re the heart of everything, really.

The show is a standout in terms of its atmosphere, skillfully balancing darker, grittier moments with the signature fun and humor found in all of Knight’s work. Considering a movie is in development, it’s easy to see why the writer isn’t ready to finish with this show and its fascinating world – it’s simply too captivating.

You can start watching ‘House of Guinness’ on Netflix from September 25th. Netflix subscriptions start at just £5.99 a month, and it’s also available through Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

2025-09-26 10:01