There are shows that follow the rules of the genre. There are those that try to break them. And then there is The Assassin (2025) – a rare television masterpiece that does not break the rules by force, but rather dismantles them with extraordinary precision, stylistic sophistication and impressive emotional intelligence. It puts a character we don’t often see on screen at the forefront – a woman in her middle years who carries a history of violence, silence and resistance. Keeley Hawes in the lead role proves that television can still surprise, captivate and warn at the same time.