Surface

Sophie wakes from a traumatic head injury with almost all of her memories erased, and the series follows her attempt to rebuild a sense of who she is. Her husband James and a close group of friends supply fragments and explanations, and at first those pieces add up to a seemingly orderly life. As Sophie gathers more evidence, small contradictions begin to stack up and she grows unsure which accounts are truthful. The story keeps the focus tight on her perspective, revealing incidents and relationships in a way that raises questions about identity, trust, and the limits of memory. Its tone is quiet and unsettling, focusing on intimate domestic details and secrets.

Surface premiered in 2022, created by Veronica West and Scott Barrett, and stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Tess Caldwell/Sophie Ellis, with Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Millie Brady, Phil Dunster, and Gavin Drea among the principal cast.

Audience response has been mixed, reflected in a 6.2/10 average from 74 votes. Critics and viewers noted strong performances and a slow-burn mystery, while also pointing to uneven plotting and pacing, and unreliability of perception. The series centers on memory and identity, marital trust, how trauma reshapes recollection, and the consequences of withheld information.

While Surface didn't become a mainstream hit, it generated conversation on social media about memory, identity, and how relationships can conceal uncomfortable truths. Viewers widely praised Gugu Mbatha-Raw for carrying ambiguous material, and online discussion often centered on small clues and alternate theories about Sophie/Tess's past.

The series did not earn major awards or widespread awards attention, though reviewers frequently highlighted Mbatha-Raw's work. Rather than trophy recognition, Surface's profile has depended on conversation and performance notice, with critics noting acting and mood more than formal industry accolades, and it didn't dominate awards-season conversation or campaign coverage.