When I saw the teaser trailer for Ride or Die, this new series from Prime Video, I was hooked. Two exceptional leads in any situation, Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer, steering the way in a buddy European road trip comedy/thriller? Let’s go. And, after getting an early look at what’s to come, I’m thrilled to say you’re in for a terrifically entertaining adventure.

Created by Tessa Coates, this superb series plays with the expected tropes of the assassin to hire genre but then expands it and excites as the story progresses to something genuinely funny and even reflective in its character connections. As a basic premise, and avoiding major spoilers, Ride or Die follows two best friends, Judith Burton (Waddingham) and Debbie Claybourne (Spencer), who believe they know everything about each other but it’s not long before it’s revealed that Judith has been living a double life that Debbie knows nothing about: she is a highly trained assassin.

After a planned hit on Ed Skrein’s Billy Donovan goes wrong, and closer relations are caught in the crossfire, Judith and Debbie are forced to go on the run across the UK and Europe, all the while not only organising an escape strategy but also having to deal with the reveal that Judith isn’t who Debbie thought she was, which was her best friend with no secrets and also a forensic accountant. And, in case you’re wondering, the show wastes no time in showing us Judith’s real job, after a James Bond-esque opening snowy scene gives us the ideal insight.

But after such a truth, there’s more to deal with than just the bad guys, as Judith will have to navigate a fractured friendship back to Debbie, who’s feeling justifiably betrayed and now their many years of connection is on the line, and in need of fixing. And that’s not all, as the clandestine agency Judith works for is also displeased, and Bill Nighy’s impressively evil ‘Director’ is so unhappy in how things have turned out, he sends other agents to track her down.

Yes, there are a whole bunch of hot irons in the fire throughout Ride or Die, but it thankfully also takes its time to set everything up, from flashbacks and deep cuts of story initially unseen, to a genuinely poignant and powerful story of friendship. The 8-episode run sets up much to solve, and just when the duo seem to be alienated from each other, it’s not long before they realise only together can they crack the mystery.

Part-Slow Horses, part-Spy and part-Bourne, Ride or Die excels in a number of unexpected ways. It’s a buddy road trip comedy-action-thriller, with a fine hit of charm and attraction, always merging those genres with ease. Also, and most importantly, it’s very funny throughout the bouts of action. While Spencer and Waddingham form a formidable team in their own right, there’s a specific car scenario where Judith, Debbie and Skrein’s Billy spend time together that’s downright brilliant, let alone the connected situations they fall into.

And the two leads keep it exciting, Octavia Spencer’s Debbie is initially holding a lot of herself back, she loves to plan and believes she knows her place in her world, with Hannah Waddingham’s Judith both utterly confident and equally lost as the depth of her character unravels. And, for the record, if they’re looking for a brand new 007, I’d pick Waddingham. Then among the ensemble cast, Ed Skrein is great with a character that could be easy to dislike, yet he brings a ridiculous charm as a man who thinks he’s in control but quickly is out of his depth. Also, keep an eye out for fine performances from Calam Lynch, Savannah Steyn, Sylvia Hoeks, Cathy Tyson, as well as Lazar Dragojevic, Jamie Parker, Jacky Ido and – of course – Bill Nighy. It’s a true troupe of entertainment.

Ride or Die certainly celebrates the unique importance of female friendships, and that strength unlike any other, but also features a smart twist on your classic assassin setup because of it. Tessa Coates’ show knows where its humour hits, and smartly combines it with thriller tendencies, all the while punching its intentions across the room (blindfolded, underwater, with its arms-tied) with clarity and composure; an absolutely satisfying joy ride.

Ride or Die will premiere on Prime Video on 15 July

Find out more: primevideo.com/RideOrDieOnPrime