Right now you can watch Scarlet Heart in the US on Rakuten Viki and iQIYI, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video — and it moves faster than most of the genre's competition. The 2-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. No filler scenes, no spinning wheels between the action. Put it on tonight on Rakuten Viki and see for yourself.

Scarlet Heart is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Scarlet Heart moves fast and earns its action sequences rather than just delivering them. Zhang Xiao, a 21st-century woman, is transported back to the Qing Dynasty during Emperor Kangxi's reign after a bizarre accident. She awakens in the body of Maertai Rouxi, a teenage nobleman's daughter, and must navigate life in a past world shaped by her mysterious connection to this historical figure. Liu Shishi and Nicky Wu lead a cast that earns every set piece rather than just filling it. The series ran for 2 seasons (2011–2014), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. What separates Scarlet Heart from disposable action entertainment is character work that survives the explosions. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Scarlet Heart is the kind of thing you put on to unwind and find yourself sitting forward twenty minutes in. Fans of The Untamed will recognise the sensibility here immediately. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Liu Shishi brings a physicality to the role that elevates every set piece. Action that earns its sequences rather than just delivering them.

Scarlet Heart wrapped up in 2014, created by Tong Hua — and 2 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.