StartUp (2016–2018) – Code, Crime, and Capitalism Collide
Genre: Crime Drama / Thriller
Creator: Ben Ketai
Starring: Adam Brody, Edi Gathegi, Otmara Marrero, Martin Freeman, Ron Perlman
StartUp is a gritty and suspenseful tech-crime series that flips the conventional Silicon Valley story on its head. Set in Miami, the show follows the launch of a new digital currency called GenCoin, not by startup bros in hoodies, but by a trio from vastly different backgrounds—each with secrets, ambition, and dangerous connections.
Nick Talman (Adam Brody), a banker trying to escape his father’s criminal ties, uses illicit money to fund GenCoin. He partners with Izzy Morales (Otmara Marrero), a brilliant but headstrong coder, and Ronald Dacey (Edi Gathegi), a gang leader hoping to give his community a legitimate future. Their alliance is volatile, passionate, and ultimately powerful, but it also attracts the attention of Phil Rask (Martin Freeman), a corrupt FBI agent who plays by his own brutal rules.
Across its three seasons, StartUp evolves from a tech thriller into a deeper story about loyalty, betrayal, and survival in a world where innovation often walks hand-in-hand with corruption. The lines between right and wrong blur as the characters climb higher, and the stakes only grow deadlier.
The performances are compelling—especially Martin Freeman as the morally ambiguous agent and Edi Gathegi as a man torn between violence and vision. The show dives into themes of race, class, power, and the dark side of the American Dream, all while delivering edge-of-your-seat tension and unexpected twists.
StartUp stands out for its fresh perspective on the tech world, making it about people who are rarely seen in the boardrooms of Silicon Valley. It’s intense, timely, and grounded in the idea that changing the world often comes at a heavy price.
Did you binge all three seasons? Drop your thoughts or favorite character in the comments below!
