The biggest night in British television if officially here, but even if you live on the other side of the pond (i.e. America), you'll still be able to tune into the BAFTA TV Awards 2025. Hosted by The Traitors' Alan Cumming, the ceremony will be broadcast from the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday, May 11, but Yanks stateside will also have the opportunity to stream the glamorous proceedings in local time this evening.

This year’s ceremony will feature nominees from some of TV's most high-profile and acclaimed shows, including Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses, Shōgun, Say Nothing, Mr Loverman, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Rivals, Big Mood and more. Along with those starry appearances, the awards show will also include two exclusive music performances from Jessie J and Tom Grennan, as well as award-winning concert violinist Esther Abrami for the In Memoriam tribute.

Here's everything you need to know to tune into the BAFTA TV Awards 2025 tonight, both on television and online.

How to watch the BAFTA TV Awards in the US

America-based TV fans—along with those in Canada, Australia and the Nordics—can watch an edited version of the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards ceremony on BritBox beginning at 2pm Eastern Time.

How to watch the BAFTA TV Awards in the UK

In its native UK, the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards will be broadcast on iPlayer and BBC One beginning at 7pm British Summer Time. Note that the BAFTAs are not broadcast or streamed live, meaning that the aired ceremony will be an edited one.

Who is nominated at the BAFTA TV Awards 2025?

The 2025 BAFTA TV Awards nominees recognize homegrown series like Sherwood and Mr Bates vs the Post Office along with international hits such as America's True Detective: Night Country and Ireland's Say Nothing. Check out the full nominees list below:

Drama series
Blue Lights (BBC One)
Sherwood (BBC One)
Supacell (Netflix)
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (BBC One)

Limited drama
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Lost Boys and Fairies (BBC One)
Mr Bates vs the Post Office (ITV1)
One Day (Netflix)

International
After The Party (Channel 4)
Colin From Accounts (BBC Two)
Say Nothing (Disney+)
Shogun (Disney+)
True Detective: Night Country (Sky Atlantic)
You Are Not Alone: Fighting The Wolfpack, Netflix

Leading actress
Anna Maxwell Martin, Until I Kill You (ITV1)
Billie Piper, Scoop (Netflix)
Lola Petticrew, Say Nothing (Disney+)
Marisa Abela, Industry (BBC One)
Monia Dolan, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (ITV1)
Sharon D Clarke, Mr Loverman (BBC One)

Leading actor
David Tennant, Rivals (Disney+)
Gary Oldman, Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Lennie James, Mr Loverman (BBC One)
Martin Freeman, The Responder (BBC One)
Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Toby Jones, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (ITV1)

Female performance in a comedy
Anjana Vasan, We Are Lady Parts (Channel 4)
Kate O’Flynn, Everyone Else Burns Channel 4)
Lolly Adefope, The Franchise (Sky Comedy)
Nicola Coughlan, Big Mood (Channel 4)
Ruth Jones, Gavin & Stacey (BBC One)
Sophie Willan, Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two)

Male performance in a comedy programme
Bilal Hasna, Extraordinary (Disney+)
Danny Dyer, Mr Big Stuff (Sky Comedy)
Dylan Thomas-Smith, G’wed (ITV2)
Nabhaan Rizwan, Kaos (Netflix)
Oliver Savell, Changing Ends (ITV1)
Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens (BBC Three)

Supporting actor
Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman (BBC One)
Christopher Chung, Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (BBC One
Jonathan Pryce, Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
McKinley Belcher III, Eric (Netflix)
Sonny Walker, The Gathering (Channel 4)

Supporting actress
Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Katherine Parkinson, Rivals (Disney+)
Maxine Peake, Say Nothing (Disney+)
Monica Dolan, Sherwood (BBC One)
Nava Mau, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Sue Johnston, Truelove (Channel)

Entertainment
The 1% Club (ITV1)
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC One)
Taskmaster (Channel 4)
Would I Lie To You? (BBC One)

Entertainment performance
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV1)
Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors (BBC One)
Graham Norton, The Graham Norton Show (BBC One)
Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett (Channel 4)
Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett, Rob & Romesh Vs (Sky Max)
Stacey Solomon, Sort Your Life Out (BBC One)

Scripted comedy
Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two)
Brassic (Sky Max)
G’Wed (ITV1)
Ludwig (BBC One)

Specialist factual
Atomic People (BBC Two)
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (National Geographic)
Children of the Cult (ITV1)
Miners’ Strike 1984: The Battle For Britain (Channel 4)

Reality
Dragons’ Den (BBC One)
The Jury: Murder Trial (Channel 4)
Love Is Blind (Channel 4)
The Traitors (BBC One)

Current affairs
Storyville: Life and Death in Gaza (BBC)
Maternity: Broken Trust (ITV1)
State of Rage (Channel 4)
Ukraine’s War: The Other Side (ITV1)

Shortform
Brown Brit (Channel 4)
Peaked (Channel 4)
Quiet Life (BBC Three)
Spud (BBC Three)

Factual entertainment
In Vogue: The 90s (Vogue Studios, Disney+)
Race Across The World (BBC One)
Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour (BBC Two)
Sort Your Life Out (BBC One)

Factual series
American Nightmare (Netflix)
Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour (BBC One)
The Push: Murder on the Cliff (Channel 4)
To Catch a Copper (Channel 4)

Live event coverage
D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen (BBC One)
Glastonbury 2024 (BBC Two)
Last Night of The Proms (BBC Two)

News coverage
BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special (BBC One)
Channel 4 News: Inside Sednaya (Channel 4)
Channel 4 News: Undercover Inside Reform’s Campaign (Channel 4)

Single documentary
Hell Jumper (BBC Two)
Tell Them You Love Me (Sky Documentaries)
Ukraine: Enemy In The Woods (BBC Two)
Undercover: Exposing The Far Right (Channel 4)

Soap
Casualty (BBC One)
Coronation Street (ITV1)
EastEnders (BBC One)

Sport
Euro 2024 (BBC Sport)
Paris 2024 Olympics (BBC Sport)
Wimbledon (BBC Sport)

Daytime
Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure (BBC Two)
Loose Women (ITV1)
Morning Live (BBC One)
Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two)

Children’s non-scripted
BoosNoo! (Sky Kids)
FYI Investigates: Disability and Me (Sky Kids)
Operation Ouch! (CBBC)
Reu and Harper’s Wonder World (Channel 5)

Children’s scripted
CBeebies As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe (CBeebies)
Horrible Histories (CBBC)
Ready Eddie Go! (Sky Kids)
Tweedy & Fluff (Channel 5)

P&O Cruises Memorable moment
Bridgerton: The carriage scene, where Colin admits his true feelings for Penelope (Netflix)
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale: Smithy’s wedding, when Mick stands up (BBC One)
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office: Jo Hamilton phones the Horizon helpline (ITV1)
Rivals: Rupert Campbell-Black and Sarah Stratton are caught in a game of naked tennis (Disney+)
Strictly Come Dancing: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone (BBC One)
Traitors: “Paul isn’t my son … but Ross is!” (BBC One)

He certainly knows his way through an Agatha Christie mystery—British national treasure Sir David Suchet has played the author's famed detective Hercule Poirot onscreen a whopping 70 times across a quarter century. And in a new travelogue series premiering today, the English actor will literally follow in the scribe's footsteps, traveling to locations that Christie herself visited and immersing himself in countries she explored to uncover the literary enigma's inspirations.

Debuting in North America on BritBox on Saturday, March 8, Travels with Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet is a five-part documentary series that aims to uncover a lesser-known side of the world-famous, best-selling author, who wrote 66 detective novels—including Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, And Then There Were None and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd—and 14 short story collections. However, before she came known as the Mistress of Mystery, however, Agatha had embarked on a world tour in 1922 at the age of 31, traversing across the British Empire for ten months and hitting South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada along the way.

The humorous and insightful travel docuseries will see stage and screen star Suchet retracing that international expedition, with each episode focused on a given country. “Having spent a quarter of a century personifying Agatha Christie’s iconic character of Hercule Poirot, I now feel so honoured to embark upon a journey around the world, as myself—in the footsteps of possibly the greatest crime writer of all times,” Suchet said in a statement, per Deadline. “I feel that she will be sitting on my shoulders at every moment urging me on to share her passion for knowledge, travel, archeology, and of course, mystery.”

To tune into Travels with Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet, you'll need access to BritBox, which is the No. 1 way to watch all your favorite British shows from the BBC and ITV. BritBox in the US currently costs $8.99 per month, or $89.99 per year after a seven-day free trial period. You can also watch the streaming service easily via Prime Video—all your subscription and billing are handled through your Amazon account, allowing you to watch as much as you want for a single price.

Check out the trailer for Travels with Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet before tuning into the new travelogue series today on BritBox.

It's fair to say that we watched a lot of TV over the last year (it is part of the job after all!). Across streaming and TV we tuned into new shows and returning favorites; comedies, dramas, thrillers and epics that pushed the boundaries of what TV can do.

So it was not exactly easy picking our top TV shows of 2024, but the good news is that between all of us here at What to Watch we think we came up with a wide-ranging and fun list of 24 TV shows that represent some of the best of the year.

Take a look at top 24 TV shows of 2024 directly below, and be sure to share your favorites shows from the past year in the comments.

Black Doves (US/UK Netflix)

It's not as easy for me to binge TV shows anymore, but I made about as quick of work as any show I can remember recently with Black Doves on Netflix, as I thoroughly enjoyed the British spy thriller starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw. Those two are phenomenal, with Knightley playing a spy working undercover as the wife of a high-ranking member of the government and Whishaw as a hitman with a complicated past. Meanwhile, the action is top notch and the plot is filled with enough twists, turns and episode cliffhangers that even when I knew I couldn't I was often itching to just let it keep playing onto the next episode. — Michael Balderston

Bad Monkey (US/UK Apple TV Plus)

The charismatic Florida-set crime comedy Bad Monkey starred Vince Vaughn, Meredith Hagner, Rob Delaney, Michelle Monaghan and Jodie Turner-Smith in a complicated yet also sentimental story about when to stick and when to quit. Vaughn's main character is an impassioned detective who’s been making mistake after mistake until he finds the breadcrumbs of a case that he won’t quit on. It’s a story that involves medical fraud, real estate drama and black magic.

I really enjoyed Bad Monkey’s carefree tone and the way its story isn’t full of cheap twists, but builds on information in a meaningful way. I particularly enjoyed its sentimental bone, universal life lessons and especially its soundtrack full of Tom Petty covers (and a few original recordings). — Tom Bedford

The Diplomat season 2 (US/UK Netflix)

Political dramas usually revolve around the White House or Washington DC. I love The Diplomat because you have a fish out of water story with Keri Russell’s Kate Wyler as a political outsider, used to being in the trenches of war-torn areas, serving as the US ambassador to the UK. The entire first season saw Kate trying to get acclimated with a trial-by-fire learning curve, but in The Diplomat season 2 things become even more complicated as conspiracies come to light and Kate’s suddenly forced to determine who she can trust in her inner circle as she navigates what could become a very dangerous global conflict. Rufus Sewell is phenomenal as Kate’s meddlesome husband, Hal. Season 2 went by in a flash, but what a ride it was. — Sarabeth Pollock

Doctor Odyssey (US Hulu, UK Disney Plus)

For anyone looking to escape from everyday life, Doctor Odyssey is the perfect prescription. Book a trip aboard the Odyssey, a world-class luxury liner where each episode centers around a theme: Singles Week, Gay Pride Week, Plastic Surgery Week and, yes, even Quackers Week (it involves rubber ducks!). Ryan Murphy’s over-the-top medical drama has been a standout, offering fantastic stories that seem to have been pulled from the most obscure medical journals. But what makes the show so special isn’t the scenes in the ship’s medical bay, it’s the sexy medical team consisting of Max (Joshua Jackson), Avery (Philippa Soo) and Tristan (Sean Teale). Doctor Odyssey is escapist television at its finest, with a revolving door of guest stars and stories that keep you on the edge of your seat. — Sarabeth Pollock

Fool Me Once (US/UK Netflix)

All the way back at the start of 2024 Fool Me Once arrived to rave reviews and quickly amassed 61 million views globally in its first two weeks, making it the most-watched series on Netflix this year. And it is easy to see why — this twisty turny thriller, based on a Harlan Coben bestselling novel, had us gripped from the very beginning. Michelle Keegan plays Maya Stern, a recently widowed mother of one who is shocked to see her "dead" husband, Joe (Richard Armitage), on their nanny cam. As Maya's world is turned upside down she is soon on a quest for answers that takes her on an unimaginable journey that no one could have predicted. If this series has somehow passed you by, make sure you watch it before Missing You, the next Harlan Coben adaptation which lands on Netflix in January. — Claire Crick

Abbott Elementary season 4 (US Hulu, UK not currently available)

Abbott Elementary is a sitcom that's aging like fine wine. It somehow has gotten even better with Abbott Elementary season 4. Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Perfetti and Lisa Ann Walter have really hit their stride in the new episodes, and I couldn’t be happier that Gregory (Williams) and Janine (Brunson) are finally together after three seasons. I also appreciate the growth in the relationship between Janine and Ava (James), as they are less enemies and more frenemies these days. Oh, and I can’t talk enough about how much I’m enjoying the season 4 cold opens. The Wild Wild West line dance was my favorite. — Terrell Smith

A Man on the Inside (US/UK Netflix)

This gentle sitcom, based on a documentary and created by bigshot TV producer Michael Schur, is about a retiree who gets a new lease on life when he goes undercover at a retirement home to investigate a stolen necklace. Ted Danson plays the lead role, reuniting with Schur after The Good Place. Like Schur’s other shows it’s less "laugh-out-loud" funny and more "warm smiles" funny, as Danson’s Charles blunders his way through being a private investigator. It’s also very sweet, especially towards the end when Danson begins to learn the lessons that his quest has imparted upon him. — Tom Bedford

One Day (US/UK Netflix)

One Day tells the story of students Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) who meet for the first time on 15 July 1988, the day of their graduation. Based on the best-selling novel by David Nicholls, this series is binge-worthy TV at its very best as it follows Emma and Dexter on the same day, 15 July, as their lives intertwine over 20 years. After an unexpected start to their friendship, we see them grow, change, collide and repel throughout the decades and soon this love story comes to an ending that no one saw coming and will keep Emma and Dexter on your minds and in your hearts for years to come. — Claire Crick

Hacks season 3 (US Max, UK not available currently)

Hacks has been one of the best shows on TV since it premiered in 2021, but Hacks season 3 may have been its best yet. Not only did we Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) back together as Deborah pursues her dream job of a late night talk show gig, but Jimmy (Paul Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter) are proving to be just as hilarious a pair now that they're business partners; we also loved Kaitlin Olson's episode where she roasts Deborah. Throw in the new dynamic between Deborah and Ava revealed in the finale, the show just keeps getting better. — Michael Balderston

How to Die Alone (US Hulu, UK Disney Plus)

How to Die Alone is one of the better new comedies I’ve seen in the last two years. On occasion, it may be demure with the outright laughs, but it always held my attention. I appreciated Natasha Rothwell finally shining on center stage in a lead role, as she’s funny and layered. Additionally, as someone in his 30s, I was a fan of the heavy retrospective aspect of the series, as I was left questioning my own willingness to take more risks in life (not of the criminal variety like in the series). It’s my sincerest hope that How to Die Alone gets a renewal from Hulu and returns for a second season. — Terrell Smith

Interview with the Vampire season 2 (US AMC+, UK BBC iPlayer)

After its wildly successful freshman season, fans waited with baited breath for Interview with the Vampire season 2, hoping the sophomore season would be as good as the first. The second season was an absolute opus as Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Claudia (Delainey Hayles) traveled to Europe to learn more about their vampiric kind. What followed was a thrilling season featuring tour de force performances from the entire cast as Louis and Claudia encounter the mysterious Armand and his Theatre des Vampires in Paris. There were so many brilliant performances, culminating in the trial at the end of the season that served as a bookend to the Interview with the Vampire portion of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles and segueing into book two, The Vampire Lestat. — Sarabeth Pollock

Love Island USA season 6 (US Peacock, UK ITVX)

It’s been a big year for Love Island USA season 6 and the numbers prove it. It was the number one reality series in the US on all streaming platforms according to NBCUniversal, and for good reason. The show provided must-watch entertainment on almost a daily basis and had the best casting that I've seen for the US franchise. I’m still applauding the romance that is Kordell and Serena, the season’s winners, and holding out hope the duo returns in some fashion to the reality TV realm. Plus, Adriana Madix was a great casting choice as host. She shines outside of Vanderpump Rules. — Terrell Smith

Ludwig (US coming to BritBox in 2025, UK BBC iPlayer)

I've always enjoyed gentle crime dramas like Only Murders in the Building and Death in Paradise, so I was always going to try Ludwig and boy was it a lot of fun. In arguably 2024's best casting, David Mitchell plays a reclusive puzzle solver who turns detective when his identical twin brother goes missing. And when we say turn detective we mean literally as his twin is a cop, so Ludwig impersonates him! What could go wrong? Well, everything obviously! It's witty, and funny and draws you into Ludwig’s crazy world. It also boasts a great supporting cast including Anna Maxwell Martin as his sister-in-law. David Hollingsworth

Matlock (US CBS, UK Sky)

CBS’ reimagined Matlock has so many great things going for it. It has the incomparable Kathy Bates in her last TV role, the writing on the show is brilliantly witty (as discussed in WTW’s Matlock review) and I enjoy the different plot twists with each new case. The series is arguably the best new drama of the fall. The only downside of the show is that it releases new episodes on Thursdays at 9 pm. Given the hour is also the home to 9-1-1 season 8 on ABC and Law & Order: SVU season 26 on NBC, my decision for live viewing is incredibly difficult with Matlock in the mix. — Terrell Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (US/UK Prime Video)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this TV adaptation of the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie movie, but it certainly wasn’t this! Starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a crime series about two strangers who have to pose as a married couple in order to carry out missions for a mysterious organization. We watch as they go on missions and develop their relationship together. The episodes have a deft mix of character drama and spy thrills, so you’re never left tired of relationship bickering or mindless action. The supporting cast is also impressive as it includes Paul Dano, Ron Perlman, Michaele Coel, John Turturro and Sarah Paulson. — Tom Bedford

Nobody Wants This (US/UK Netflix)

Nobody Wants This is the perfect binge-worthy show that all fans of an easy-to-watch romcom have been waiting for. The Netflix original follows Kristen Bell as Joanne, an agnostic podcaster who has a knack for being rather unfiltered about her personal life. But when Joanne falls for a guy that she wouldn't necessarily label as her type, their whirlwind romance comes with more baggage than a transatlantic flight. But what makes Noah so different from the other men she's dated? Well, for starters, he's a rabbi. And, if that wasn't tricky enough for atheist Joanne, add in a tricky ex and an interfering family from hell and this is a romance that shouldn't work, but somehow really, really does. — Claire Crick

Rebus (US Viaplay, UK BBC iPlayer)

I get the impression not everyone loved this latest adaption of Ian Rankin's work, but personally I loved Richard Rankin as the author's most famous creation, John Rebus. The twist here is Rebus is a younger man, recently divorced and demoted to Detective Sergeant. Rebus is torn when his brother Michael is dragged into the criminal world, leaving the cop wondering where his true loyalties lie. It’s a great crime drama and remains engrossing to the end. David Hollingsworth

Return to Paradise (US coming to BritBox 2025, UK BBC iPlayer)

This Death in Paradise spin-off takes everything that's great about the original show and places it in Australia. Former Home and Away actress Anna Samson is wonderful as London Metropolitan police officer DI Mackenzie Clarke who's forced to return home. Mackenzie is awkward, funny and brilliant at solving Dolphin Cove’s surprisingly high murder rate. Death in Paradise fans will also enjoy a cameo by Ardal O'Hanlon as former top Saint Marie cop DI Jack Mooney. David Hollingsworth

Rivals (US Hulu, UK Disney Plus)

This racy eight-part adaptation of the bestselling Dame Jilly Cooper novel became one of the most talked about shows of 2024. Set during the 1980s in the fictional British county of Rutshire, the story centers around a long-term rivalry between ex-Olympic rider turned politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and TV station controller Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), who, along with their friends, family and neighbors, drip with ambition, desire and power. Packed with amazing 1980s fashions and career-best performances, Rivals steamed along to a cliffhanger conclusion, making us desperate for Rivals season 2… David Hollingsworth

Shetland season 9 (US BritBox, UK BBC iPlayer)

Shetland season 9 sees Ashley Jensen return as DI Ruth Calder as she is once again thrown into another dark and distressing case that she fights to solve with her colleague and friend Tosh (Alison O’Donnell). This season sees the pair drawn into a deeply personal investigation for Tosh when her friend, Annie Bett, and her young son go missing and Tosh suspects something is seriously wrong. Soon two crimes that the police are working on seem to collide and the plot thickens as the body count on the eerily remote island of Shetland starts to stack up. This crime drama is leagues above the rest and will not only have you gripped from start to finish, but all that stunning scenery will have you searching holiday breaks to the Shetland Islands in no time! — Claire Crick

Shogun (US Hulu, UK Disney Plus)

Shogun planted its flag early in 2024 as one of the best things and TV and it did not give up that distinction for the rest of the year. The historical epic set in 1600 Japan is one of then most incredibly made series since Game of Thrones, with the drama to match it. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai deserve all of the plaudits coming to them for their nuanced and powerful performances. The show was so successful and so popular that they're continuing the series beyond the source material (TBD on when we're getting Shogun season 2). We'll see how that turns out, but on its own, Shogun was a must-watch show from 2024. — Michael Balderston

Those About to Die (US/UK Prime Video)

I can’t pretend that Those About to Die is high-falutin prestige series, but it’s a fun and silly watch that fans of Roman history will enjoy (and enjoy to nitpick). The show is about the various individuals and factions involved in the races at Rome’s Circus Maximus. We meet criminals trying to become established politicians, emperors’ sons trying to become emperor, expats trying to become racers and gladiators trying to survive. The cast includes Anthony Hopkins, as well as Iwan Eheon, Sara Martins, Gabriella Pession, Jojo Macari and Dimitri Leonidas. It’s trying to be Game of Thrones in Rome and while it misses that mark, I enjoyed how silly but fun lots of it felt (as well as the well-shot action). — Tom Bedford

3 Body Problem (Netflix)

Netflix is known for ambitious projects, and 3 Body Problem is one of those ambitious projects. The sci-fi series, based on the series of books by Cixin Liu, is a lot to take in. The entire first season lays the groundwork for what’s to come in the next two seasons. Essentially, aliens are coming to earth and they’re not happy. The catch is that they won’t be here for another few centuries, so the people of earth have to figure out what to do about it. The first season spans decades, from a brilliant young political prisoner in 1960s China making first contact to an equally brilliant group of friends in the present day who must figure out ways to save humanity. There’s a lot of science and math and numbers, but when taken as a whole this is peak sci-fi and I’m eager to see how the story plays out. — Sarabeth Pollock

Tokyo Vice season 2 (US Max, UK BBC iPlayer)

I'm still a bit upset that Tokyo Vice season 2 is looking like the last we'll see of the excellent crime drama (Max officially cancelled the series, so another network/streamer would need to save it). Over two seasons we watched as American journalist Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) cut his teeth working the crime beat for a Tokyo newspaper, bringing him into the dangerous world of the yakuza. Things ratcheted up in season 2 for Jake and all of the characters that we've come to know and love. And while things ended in a place that serves just fine as a series ender, there's definitely feels like there's still story to tell, and if it was as good as Tokyo Vice season 2 not getting it would be a loss for all of us. — Michael Balderston

Lots of the major streaming services are offering fantastic Black Friday streaming deals, but for the most part these are on the mainstream platforms and only for new subscribers. So if you're a returning subscriber or want a more niche subscription, what do you do? Well, that's where Roku steps in.

Like with the Prime Video channels deal we've seen, Roku has announced a huge range of discounts over the Roku Channels. These let you you pay a little bit each month to see extra videos populate your Roku device or TV home page.

Some of these affect the major streaming service's channels like Paramount Plus, Max or Discovery Plus, but lots of them are let you sign up for smaller channels which you might not consider otherwise. History Vault? Lifetime Movie Club? A&E Crime Central? All are discounted.

To get one of these Black Friday channel deals, you'll need to own a Roku streaming stick or TV, and all you need to do to get the trial is sign up for the service through your Roku device. You'll need to do so on or before Monday, December 2 in order to get the new discounted price.

First, let's look at which channels are discounted and what their new monthly prices are:

Roku Channel deals

All these prices apply for two months, before the cost returns to its usual one.

• A&E Crime Central — $1.99 per month
• Acorn TV — 99c per month
• ALLBLK — 99 per month
• AMC Plus — 99c per month
• BET Plus — 99c per month
• Britbox — $3.99 per month
• Cinemax — 99c per month
• Discovery Plus — 99c per month
• Fox Nation — 99c per month
• The Great America Pure Flix — $1.99 per month
• The Great Courses — 99c per month
• The Great Courses Living — 99c per month
• Hallmark Movies Now — $1.99 per month
• HiDive — 99c per month
• History Vault — $1.99 per month
• Lifetime Movie Club — $1.99 per month
• Max — $2.99 per month*
• MGM Plus — 99c per month
• Paramount Plus — $2.99 per month
• Shudder — 99c per month
• Starz — 99c per month
• Up Faith & Family — 99c per month
• ViX Premium — $4.99 per month

* — Max's deal is for six months only, after which it returns to the Ads plan's usual cost of $9.99 per month.

Roku device deals

To enjoy these low monthly prices, you'll need to sign up through a Roku device. Don't own one? You can buy one through the Black Friday deals, though you'll need to get quick delivery so you can still sign up:

There are also plenty of Roku TVs on offer from the company's Select, Plus and Pro lines in different sizes, and you can find the Amazon listings for those here.

More Black Friday options:

• Netflix Black Friday deals
• Apple TV Plus Black Friday deals
• Disney Plus Black Friday deals
• Paramount Plus Black Friday deals
• Prime Video & Channels Black Friday deals
• Max Black Friday deals
• Peacock Black Friday deals
• Hulu Black Friday deals
• ESPN Plus Black Friday deals
• Sling TV Black Friday deals
• Sky TV Black Friday deals
• Fubo Black Friday deals

Something all Prime Video fans have been waiting for has struck: the Prime Video channels Black Friday sale has begun, and there are some serious savings to be had.

For the uninitiated: Prime Video Channels are optional add-ons to Prime Video which add extra movies, shows, sports or live events for an extra monthly fee. They range in price and video-quantity and many of them are standalone streaming services in their own right, like Paramount Plus and Apple TV Plus.

As part of its Black Friday sales, Amazon has cut the price of most of these channels for your first two months, as long as you sign up for them before Monday, December 2. That is, in the US, and we're still waiting on UK sales.

I always love to sign up for the Prime Video channel deals as a way to see extra videos, and many streaming fans opt to jump on this Black Friday streaming deal too. So to help you find one for you, I've listed every single one below.

After that, I've also highlighted you some deals that you might want to avoid, for reasons I'll get into.

More Black Friday options:

• Netflix Black Friday deals
• Apple TV Plus Black Friday deals
• Disney Plus Black Friday deals
• Paramount Plus Black Friday deals
• Prime Video & Channels Black Friday deals
• Max Black Friday deals
• Peacock Black Friday deals
• Hulu Black Friday deals
• ESPN Plus Black Friday deals
• Sling TV Black Friday deals
• Sky TV Black Friday deals

Black Friday Prime Video channel deals in the US

Here are all the Prime Video channels which are reduced in the US. For all of them, the 'new' price is active each month for your first two months of subscription, before you're automatically returned to the full 'old' price.

• Starz: was $10.99 now $2.75
• MGM Plus: was $6.99 now $1.75
• Vix Premium: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Paramount Plus: was $12.99 now $2.99
• AMC Plus: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Discovery Plus: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Hallmark Plus: was $7.99 now $2
• Britbox: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Bet Plus: was $10.99 now $2.75
• Acorn TV: was $7.99 now $2
• PBS Masterpiece: was $5.99 now $1.50
• Cinemax: was $9.99 now $2.50
• Crunchyroll: was $7.99 now $2
• Great American Pure Flix: was $9.99 now $2.50
• PBS Documentaries: was $4.99 now $1.25
• PBS Kids: was $4.99 now $1.25
• UP Faith & Family: was $5.99 now $1.50
• Ryan & Friends: was $3.99 now $1

Deals to avoid

As well as the above Black Friday discounts on various Prime Video channels, Amazon is advertizing various channel bundles which save you cash if you sign up for multiple channels together.

The thing is, while these are being promoted alongside Black Friday deals, they're not actually part of the sales, and they're always available. The discounted prices are reduced compared to the channels' usual cost, not their Black Friday ones.

That is to say, if you sign up for a bundle now, you're going to be spending more than if you simply signed up for the channels separately. There's no harm in enjoying whatever channels you want now, and then signing up for bundles in February when the discounted deal prices end.

Black Friday Prime Video channel deals in the UK

For the most part, Amazon's Black Friday deals on Prime Video channels haven't begun in the UK... but there's one exception:

We'll update you when more sales occur in the UK. Last year, the UK Prime Video channel deals for Black Friday began a few days after the US ones, and it's very possible that the same could happen this year.

Lynley is a new take on the hit Inspector Lynley crime novels by Elizabeth George starring Vikings: Valhalla actor Leo Suter as the posh Oxford cop.

The books were previously adapted into a hugely popular TV series, starring Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small, which ran from 2001 to 2008.

Now, Lynley is heading to the BBC in the UK and BritBox in the US. Writer and executive producer Steve Thompson, whose previous work includes Sherlock and Vienna Blood, said: "It's a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George's iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious."

Thompson's involvement suggests Lynley will have a playful and clever tone like both Vienna Blood and Sherlock.

Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) will play DS Barbara Havers, who teams up with Lynley and was played by Sharon Small in the original.

Here’s everything we know...

Lynley release date

Lynley is currently being filmed in Ireland, so we expect it to hit our screens in 2025.

Lynley plot

Teasing Lynley, the makers say: "Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force — simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done. His brain and her spirit — his knowledge and her instincts. It is only through working side by side do they both find where they truly belong."

Cast

Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay lead the cast. Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders) will play DCI Brian Nies, the astute, suspicious Senior Detective at Three Counties Major Incident Team. Other key cast includes Niamh Walsh (The English Game) as Helen Clyde, an estate agent and Lynley’s former Oxford classmate whose romance with Lynley is sparked when their paths fatefully cross on a case; Michael Workeye (My Lady Jane) as tech specialist Tony Bekele; and Joshua Sher (Vera) as forensic scientist, Simon St. James.

Is there a trailer?

No not yet.

Behind the scenes

Created, written and executive produced by Steve Thompson (Vienna Blood, Sherlock), Ed Bazalgette (Marie Antoinette season 2, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die) serves as lead director with Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders, Love/Hate) as Series Producer. David Stern and Colin Callender are executive producers for Playground with Robert Schildhouse, Stephen Nye, Jon Farrar and Jess O' Riordan executive producers for BritBox, Kate Woods is an executive producer for BBC Studios and Sue Deeks is executive producer for the BBC.

A new version of the hugely popular Inspector Lynley crime novels by Elizabeth George is heading to the BBC and BritBox it's been revealed.

The original TV series, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, starred Nathaniel Parker as the Oxford cop and ran on the BBC from 2001 to 2008.

Now, Leo Suter (Vikings: Valhalla) has been cast as DI Tommy Lynley in the new series simply called Lynley. Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) will play DS Barbara Havers, the character played by Sharon Small in the original. It will be shown on BBC One in the UK and BritBox in the US.

Teasing the series, the makers say: "Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force — simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done. His brain and her spirit — his knowledge and her instincts. It is only through working side by side do they both find where they truly belong."

Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders) will play DCI Brian Nies, the astute, suspicious Senior Detective at Three Counties Major Incident Team. Other key cast includes Niamh Walsh (The English Game) as Helen Clyde, an estate agent and Lynley’s former Oxford classmate whose romance with Lynley is sparked when their paths fatefully cross on a case; Michael Workeye (My Lady Jane) as tech specialist Tony Bekele; and Joshua Sher (Vera) as forensic scientist, Simon St. James.

Shooting on Lynley is currently taking place in Ireland. Vienna Blood and Sherlock’s Steve Thompson is on writing duties. He said: "It's a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George's iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious."

Author Elizabeth George said: "I'm thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and BritBox and the production expertise of Playground. Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration."

Lynley will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and BritBox in the US and Canada. Check out our best BBC dramas guide for more shows to enjoy.

If you've been shopping around for Black Friday deals, you've probably already visited Amazon, and could also be signed up for Amazon Prime. That means you're primed (if you'll pardon the bun) for the Prime Video channel deals.

These often-overlooked aspects of the Black Friday streaming deals will help you save money on Prime Video channels, which are extra subscriptions to Prime Video which let you watch loads of extra movies, shows, sports or specials (it depends on the channel).

Prime Video channels often see great Black Friday deals and that's the case in 2024, with loads of options and ways to test out the bonus subscriptions. You'll need a Prime Video subscription already, but that's it.

So with the Black Friday deals on Prime Video live, let's dig into what's on offer:

More Black Friday deals to pick from:

• Hulu: sign up for $0.99 per month for an entire year
• Hulu + Disney Plus: $2.99 per month for a year
• Peacock: $1.99 per month for 6 months
• Max: $2.99 per month for 6 months
• Paramount Plus: $2.99 per month for 2 months
• Prime Video channel: down to $2.75 per month for 2 months

US Black Friday deals on Prime Video channels

What follows is a list of every Prime Video channel which is discounted on Prime Video.

Each of these channels offers you two months at the discounted price, and then you return to the full price.

The deadline to sign up is Monday, December 2, at which time the prices revert to their usual costs.

• Starz: was $10.99 now $2.75
• MGM Plus: was $6.99 now $1.75
• Vix Premium: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Paramount Plus: was $12.99 now $2.99
• AMC Plus: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Discovery Plus: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Hallmark Plus: was $7.99 now $2
• Britbox: was $8.99 now $2.25
• Bet Plus: was $10.99 now $2.75
• Acorn TV: was $7.99 now $2
• PBS Masterpiece: was $5.99 now $1.50
• Cinemax: was $9.99 now $2.50
• Crunchyroll: was $7.99 now $2
• Great American Pure Flix: was $9.99 now $2.50
• PBS Documentaries: was $4.99 now $1.25
• PBS Kids: was $4.99 now $1.25
• UP Faith & Family: was $5.99 now $1.50
• Ryan & Friends: was $3.99 now $1

UK Black Friday deals on Prime Video channels

There aren't many Prime Video channel discounts in the UK, but there are a handful.

These are live until Tuesday, December 2, and the discounted price is for your first three months of a subscription.

• Paramount Plus: was £7.99 now £3.99
• Studiocanal Presents: was £4.99 now £0.99
• BFI Player: was £6.99 now £0.99
• Crunchyroll: was £4.99 now £0.99
• Curzon: was £6.99 now £0.99
• The Icon Film Channel: was £5.99 now £0.99
• Viaplay: was £4.99 now £0.99
• Curiosity Stream: was £3.95 now £0.99
• Crime & Investigation Play: was £4.99 now £0.99
• History Play: was £3.99 now £0.99

Everything you need to know about the Prime Video Black Friday deals

When do the Prime Video Black Friday deals end?

For all of the Black Friday deals on Prime Video channels listed so far, Amazon has shared the end date of Monday, December 2. It's not clear when during this day (which is Cyber Monday) the discounts will end, so it'd be safest to sign up in advance.

Will there be a Black Friday deal on Prime Video itself?

We've seen Prime Video channel discounts, but what about the price of the streamer itself?

Since Prime Video is officially a 'perk' of an Amazon Prime membership, there won't be discounts on a subscription itself, but Amazon might find ways to incentivize you to sign up.

Previously it's improved the free trial on Amazon Prime to get you to sign up, especially with the membership bringing next-day shopping on lots of your Black Friday purchases.

Will there be more Black Friday Amazon deals?

When Black Friday is going on, you won't be able to open up the site without seeing discounts, deals and sales littered across its platform. Basically anything you can buy on the website could see discounts.

As well as on Prime Video Channels, these could come for things that movie and TV fans will like. TVs, streaming sticks, soundbars, projectors, DVD and Blu-Ray box sets and more will probably get some big reductions.

Check back in November and we'll share our favorite discounts that you can find, or browse the website yourself by clicking on the link below.

More Black Friday options:

• Netflix Black Friday deals
• Apple TV Plus Black Friday deals
• Disney Plus Black Friday deals
• Paramount Plus Black Friday deals
• Prime Video & Channels Black Friday deals
• Max Black Friday deals
• Peacock Black Friday deals
• Hulu Black Friday deals
• ESPN Plus Black Friday deals
• Sling TV Black Friday deals
• Sky TV Black Friday deals

If you Google anything these days you may have noticed an AI Overview popping up as the top result, but as this BritBox price example shows it won't necessarily give you the right information!

Double-checking the price of a BritBox subscription in the US, we googled it and the AI Overview proudly boasted the price in the US is $6.99 a month. Actually, we then googled it again and it changed its mind and told us it was $9.99 a month! Clearly, something is confusing the AI Overview about the BritBox price and we took the much safer option of going to the official BritBox site which told us the price is in fact $8.99 a month, $89.99 per year. So, if you were hoping to watch great TV series on BritBox like The Responder and Grace, then you might be rather confused as to what the actual price is if you'd stuck to the AI Overview!

As a further test we tried the price of Netflix in the US and to be fair the AI Overview did actually give us the right prices for the various subscription plans Netflix offers. 

Surely though it would make more sense for Google to put the official website at the top of the search rather than the AI Overview, especially if it's going to give you the wrong answer?!

There's been a lot of debate over AI Overviews and how helpful they are to the user. Google defines the goal of the AI Overview as being: "AI Overviews appear in Google Search results when our systems determine that generative responses can be especially helpful — for example, when you want to quickly understand information from a range of sources, including information from across the web and Google's Knowledge Graph."

But it's not that much help if it gives you the wrong answer! Now in the world of TV and movies, there's only so much damage a wrong answer can give but the AI Overview has also been accused of giving dubious answers on health queries. It says at the bottom of the query "Generative AI is experimental" but surely then don't put it at the top?

Anyway, our advice would be to go to an original trusted source rather than taking the AI Overview at face value or you might get an unpleasant surprise.

After 2023 had a fall TV season that was mostly reality shows and reruns thanks to the Hollywood strikes, the fall TV 2024 season is getting back to normal, with so many new and returning shows set to premiere over the next few months. And we're here to help you know which ones you should keep an eye out for.

The What to Watch US team has picked 18 of the shows we are most looking forward to watching this fall, both returning favorites and new shows we're excited to give a try across the big four networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC), cable and streaming services, including Netflix, Peacock, Paramount Plus and more. If there's a specific show that you're interested in watching that we didn't highlight, we also have the fall TV premiere schedule for all shows that have been announced so far, so you can know exactly when you need to tune in.

This fall will see a number of long-time series coming to an end, but new series right there for you to discover and get hooked too. Get everything you need to know about it all directly below, starting off with our picks.

WTW Fall TV Picks

Slow Horses season 4 (September 4)

After three stellar seasons, spy thriller Slow Horses finally got its due with the Emmys, earning nine total nominations for the thrilling Slow Horses season 3, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting noms for Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden. With some recognition finally in their corner, Slow Horses season 4 looks to keep things rolling as the scrappy team of rejects from Slough House must once again save the day, this time from a bombing that puts the team right in the crosshairs of a dangerous enemy. It's not too late to jump on the Slow Horses bandwagon, it's a lot of fun. — Michael Balderston

Watch Slow Horses exclusively on Apple TV Plus

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (September 5)

I'm a sucker for period pieces and true crime dramas, and I'm getting them both with Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. The limited series follows a historic armed robbery in 1970s Atlanta following Muhammad Ali's comeback fight. As if the premise wasn't exciting enough, the series is full of Hollywood's heaviest hitters. From Kevin Hart to Taraji P. Henson to Don Cheadle to the hardest working man in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is star-studded. — Terrell Smith

Watch Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist on Peacock.  

The Old Man season 2 (September 12)

This may be my most anticipated TV show of the fall, as Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, Alia Shawkat and the rest of the superb cast return for The Old Man season 2. The first season of the spy drama made intense discussions feel like exhilarating battles between the actors, but now the actual action scenes in the show are being ramped up as Bridges' Dan Chase is about to go on the warpath to get his daughter back from the dangerous Faraz Hamzad. It's been a long two years to wait for The Old Man to return, so I'll be making sure I don't miss a second of it now that it's back. —Michael Balderston

The Old Man airs on FX Thursdays at 10 pm ET/PT, the streaming the next day on Hulu.

How to Die Alone (September 13)

I've been a fan of Natasha Rothwell since I watched her star in Insecure and Love, Simon. When she's in her comedic element she truly shines, so I'm looking forward to her leading her own comedy venture with How to Die Alone. In the series, she plays a woman determined to live life to the fullest after a near-death experience. That plot alone tends to leave lots of room for hilarious antics to ensue, so the show should be fun. — Terrell Smith

Watch How to Die Alone on Hulu. 

Matlock (September 22)

The legacy of Matlock alone makes this new reboot worth the watch, but considering it stars the incomparable Kathy Bates, Matlock easily becomes one of my most-anticipated new shows of the fall in my book. I'm a huge fan of Bates; to this day, I still routinely reference Misery, and her stints on television have always been gold. Whether she was in American Horror Story or The Office, I always found her to be an onscreen treasure. — Terrell Smith

Watch Matlock on CBS and Paramount Plus. 

Brilliant Minds (September 23)

Based on the life and work of Oliver Sacks, Brilliant Minds is a new series that follows a neurologist and his team as they explore the far reaches of the human mind. Along the way, they must balance their own mental health and relationships. I'm a huge fan of Zachary Quinto and I'm excited to see him in the leading role. There are plenty of medical procedurals in the fall TV lineup but Brilliant Minds has potential to blaze a bold new path. — Sarabeth Pollock

Brilliant Minds will air on NBC on Mondays at 10 pm ET/PT, with new episodes available to stream the following day on Peacock. 

Murder in a Small Town (September 24)

I love a good TV mystery, and I'm intrigued by the prospects of Fox's new entry to the genre, Murder in a Small Town. Based on the books by L.R. Wright, Rossif Sutherland (yes, son of Donald, brother of Kiefer) stars as Detective Karl Alberg, who thought moving to a small coastal town would help lessen the stress in his life after working for years as a big-city detective. Little did he know there are plenty of secrets in this town. I can definitely see myself getting hooked and tuning into Murder in a Small Town each week. — Michael Balderston

Murder in a Small Town premieres Tuesday, September 24, at 8 pm ET/PT on Fox, before moving to its regular time at 9 pm ET/PT on October 1. 

Colin from Accounts season 2 (September 26)

One of my favorite TV show discoveries of the last few years has been Colin from Accounts, a Paramount Plus comedy that originally hails from Australia. The series focuses on Gordon (Patrick Brammall), a microbrewery owner, and med student Ashley (Harriet Dyer), whose lives become entwined when they are both involved in the inadvertent running over of a dog, who they end up co-adopting and name Colin. Both hilarious and sweet, it's really hard not to fall for Colin from Accounts; and with just eight episodes in the first season at a half hour a piece, it won't take you long to catch up. — Michael Balderston

Colin from Accounts season 2 premieres all eight episodes exclusively on Paramount Plus on September 26.

Doctor Odyssey (September 26)

You may be sensing a pattern, so I'll it: I'm a sucker for a good medical drama, and this fall has a lot to choose from. What I love about Doctor Odyssey is the show is set on a luxury cruise ship, which means new destinations and lots of potential for thrilling and exotic medical emergencies. Not only that, but growing up watching old reruns of The Love Boat has me hoping that there will be exciting stories-of-the-week featuring guest stars interacting with the ship’s crew, keeping the show fresh from week to week. — Sarabeth Pollock

Doctor Odyssey will air on ABC on Thursdays at 9 pm ET/PT and stream the following day on Hulu. 

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol (September 29)

After Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) found himself in France in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1, he wondered if anyone was going to be looking for him. Not surprisingly, Carol (Melissa McBride) realized he was gone and immediately set out to find her friend. In season 2's The Book of Carol, Daryl will continue to face new threats while Carol blazes a trail through France to find Daryl. I'm very excited to see this story continue after the first season delivered an entirely believable explanation how someone could land in France in the middle of the zombie apocalypse, and I truly believe that this spinoff of The Walking Dead is the future of the franchise. —Sarabeth Pollock

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol will air Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT on AMC and will stream on AMC Plus. 

The Irrational season 2 (October 1)

I was hooked on The Irrational from the pilot episode last season. Jesse L. Martin's Alec Mercer is fun to watch. As the man with a keen insight into why people do what they do, he's instantly the most interesting person in the room, and watching him piece together evidence at a crime scene elevates this crime drama into something special. Mercer's charisma, coupled with his ego, make his approach to solving crimes much more entertaining. — Sarabeth Pollock

The Irrational will air Tuesdays at 10 pm ET/PT on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock. 

Joan (October 2)

The CW continues to boast a fresh lineup of dramas, and this fall sees the premiere of Joan. It's a six-part crime drama that follows the rise of a British housewife and mother as she becomes a diamond thief and criminal mastermind in the 1980s. The fact that this is a true crime series based on real-life diamond thief Joan Hannington makes this series even more intriguing. On top of that, the series sees the return of Sophie Turner to TV as Joan. Based on what I've seen, this role is a far cry from Game of Thrones' Sansa Stark. — Terrell Smith

Watch Joan on The CW. 

Found season 2 (October 3)

Found season 2 promises to be even better than season 1 after Gabi's (Shanola Hampton) kidnapper and tormentor Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) escaped from the cage she built for him in her basement. Gabi built her whole life on helping people who have been forgotten by the system, and with Sir on the loose it could jeopardize everything. Found was one of the most talked-about new series last season and I fully expect to see even more action in its sophomore season. — Sarabeth Pollock

Found airs Thursdays at 10 pm ET/PT on NBC, with new episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock. 

Teacup (October 10)

Teacup is an adaptation of Robert McCammon's Stinger. With James Wan serving as one of  the executive producers and an all-star cast that includes Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman and Chaske Spencer, it's the perfect horror thriller to take the Halloween season to the next level. The story follows a family in rural Georgia who find themselves fighting for their lives in the midst of an unknown threat. It's the kind of show that builds and builds until you find yourself so locked in you can't stop watching. Horror fans are in for a real treat with this Peacock original series. —Sarabeth Pollock

Teacup will stream exclusively on Peacock. 

Disclaimer (October 11)

How can you not be intrigued by Disclaimer with all the talent involved? Written and directed by Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuaron and starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, Lesley Manville and Kodi Smit-McPhee, Disclaimer is an adaptation of Renee Knight's novel about a journalist that has spent her career revealing the misdeeds of others, but she is horrified when she receives a novel from an anonymous author and realizes that she is the main character in a story that exposes her own dark secrets. A tantalizing psychological thriller with that cast behind it. Yes please. — Michael Balderston

Disclaimer will stream exclusively on Apple TV Plus.

Poppa's House (October 21)

Here's a little-known fact: when I was younger, I routinely watched My Wife and Kids and Happy Endings. While the former starred Damon Wayans, the latter featured Damon Wayans Jr., and both are hilarious in my book. So naturally, I'm looking forward to the kind of magic the father/son duo can create when they both co-lead Poppa's House. I'm optimistic that it will become a favorite comedy of mine that I can look forward to on network TV like with Abbott Elementary. — Terrell Smith

Watch Poppa’s House on CBS and Paramount Plus.  

Yellowstone season 5 (November 10)

Taylor Sheridan has Tulsa King season 2 and a new show, Landman, premiering this fall, but come on, all eyes are on the long-awaited return of Yellowstone season 5. Set to be the final episobdes of the popular western series, there's a lot to sort through as Kevin Costner's John Dutton is not returning (the actor left reportedly due to scheduling conflicts with his movie Horizon: An American Saga). But even without the Dutton patriarch, where things end for Kayce (Luke Grimes), Beth (Kelly Reilly), Jamie (Wes Bentley) and the rest of our favorite characters is very much up in the air. Yellowstone has been a massive cable hit, but expect that to grow as these final episodes are going to be must-see TV. — Michael Balderston

Yellowstone airs exclusively on Paramount Network Sundays. Past seasons of the show are available to stream on Peacock.

St. Denis Medical (November 12)

NBC has been widely successful with the mockumentary style of comedy, evident with The Office, Parks and Recreation and Superstore. So I'm hopeful that St. Denis Medical will follow in the same footsteps. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that NBC has an equally good track record with the medical comedy genre, i.e. Scrubs, so will St. Denis Medical revive the genre for the network or flatline?  I like to think not as I'm hopeful it rises to the occasion. — Terrell Smith

Watch St. Denis Medical on NBC and Peacock. 

We've told you about our picks, but take a look at the complete fall TV schedule to see what you'll have to watch over the next few months.

September

September 1

• The Chosen season 4 (CW)

September 2

• English Teacher (FX)

September 4

• Slow Horses season 4 (Apple TV Plus)
• Tell Me Lies season 2 (Hulu)

September 5

• Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock)
• The Perfect Couple (Netflix)
• Trigger Point season 2 (BritBox)

September 6

• Power Book II: Ghost season 4B (Starz)
• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu)
• Whose Line Is It Anyway? season 13 (CW)

September 8

• Universal Basic Guys (Fox)
• The Wonderland Massacre & the Secret History of Hollywood (MGM Plus)

September 9

• My Brilliant Friend season 4 (HBO/Max)

September 10

• The Chicken Sisters (Hallmark Plus)

September 11

• The Circle season 7 (Netflix)

September 12

• The Old Man season 2 (FX)

September 13

• How to Die Alone (Hulu)
• Three Women (Starz)

September 15

• Moonflower Murders (PBS)
• Ridley season 2 (PBS)
• Sister Wives season 19 (TLC)
• Tulsa King season 2 (Paramount Plus)
• Van Der Valk season 4 (PBS)

September 17

• American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez (FX)
• Dancing with the Stars season 33 (ABC/Disney Plus)
• High Potential (ABC)

September 18

• Agatha All Along (Disney Plus)
• The Golden Bachelorette (ABC)
• Survivor season 47 (CBS)

September 19

• Frasier season 2 (Paramount Plus)
• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
• The Penguin (HBO/Max)
• A Very Royal Scandal (Prime Video)

September 20

• La Maison (Apple TV Plus)

September 21

• 48 Hours season 37 (CBS)

September 22

• 60 Minutes new episodes (CBS)
• From season 3 (MGM Plus)
• Matlock (CBS)
• Rescue: Hi-Surf (Fox)

September 23

• 9-1-1: Lone Star season 5 (Fox)
• Brilliant Minds (NBC)
• The Voice season 26 (NBC)

September 24

• Murder in a Small Town (Fox)

September 25

• Chicago Fire season 13 (NBC)
• Chicago Med season 10 (NBC)
• Chicago P.D. season 12 (NBC)
• Familia de Medianoche (Apple TV Plus)
• The Floor season 2 (Fox)
• Grotesquerie (FX)
• The Masked Singer season 12 (Fox)

September 26

• 9-1-1 season 8 (ABC)
• Colin from Accounts season 2 (Paramount Plus)
• Crime Scene Kitchen season 3 (Fox)
• Doctor Odyssey (ABC)
• Grey's Anatomy season 21 (ABC)
• Hell's Kitchen season 23 (Fox)

September 27

• Apartment 7A (Paramount Plus)
• Dateline season 33 (NBC)
• Social Studies (FX)

September 28

• Saturday Night Live season 50 (NBC)

September 29

• AFV season 25 (ABC)
• Bob's Burgers season 15 (Fox)
• Krapopolis season 2 (Fox)
• The Simpsons season 36 (Fox)
• The Summit (CBS)
• The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol (AMC)
• Wonderful World of Disney (ABC)

October

October 1

• Accused season 2 (Fox)
• The Irrational season 2 (NBC)
• The Real Housewives of New York season 15 (Bravo)

October 2

• Joan (CW)
• Sullivan's Crossing season 2 (CW)
• Where's Wanda (Apple TV Plus)

October 3

• Found season 2 (NBC)
• Heartstopper season 3 (Netflix)
• Law & Order season 24 (NBC)
• Law & Order: SVU season 26 (NBC)
• Suspect season 2 (BritBox)

October 6

• Queen's Court season 2 (Peacock)

October 7

• Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (ABC)
• Press Your Luck (ABC)
• Scrabble (CW)
• Trivial Pursuit (CW)

October 9

• Abbott Elementary season 4 (ABC)
• Scamanda (ABC)

October 10

• Citadel: Diana (Prime Video)
• Teacup (Peacock)

October 11

• Disclaimer (Apple TV Plus)

October 13

• Tracker season 2 (CBS)

October 14

• NCIS season 22 (CBS)
• NCIS: Origins (CBS)

October 15

• FBI season 7 (CBS)
• FBI: International season 4 (CBS)
• FBI: Most Wanted season 6 (CBS)

October 16

• Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? (Prime Video)
• Shrinking season 2 (Apple TV Plus)

October 17

• Elsbeth season 2 (CBS)
• Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (CBS)
• Ghosts season 4 (CBS)
• Passenger (BritBox)
• Superman & Lois season 4 (CW)

October 18

• Blue Bloods season 14B (CBS)
• Fire Country season 3 (CBS)
• Happy's Place (NBC)
• Hysteria (Peacock)
• Lopez vs Lopez season 3 (NBC)
• Rivals (Hulu)
• Shark Tank season 16 (ABC)
• S.W.A.T. season 8 (CBS)

October 20

• The Equalizer season 5 (CBS)

October 21

• The Neighborhood season 7 (CBS)
• Poppa's House (CBS)
• What We Do in the Shadows season 6 (FX)

October 24

• Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 (Paramount Plus)
• The Wranglers (CW)

October 25

• Before (Apple TV Plus)

October 27

• Lioness season 2 (Paramount Plus)
• Somebody Somewhere season 3 (HBO)

October 30

• Tu También Lo Harías (Apple TV Plus)

October 31

• The Diplomat season 2 (Netflix)

November

November 7

• Citadel: Honey Bunny (Prime Video)
• The Day of the Jackal (Peacock)

November 10

• Yellowstone season 5B (Paramount Network)

November 12

• St. Denis Medical (NBC)

November 13

• Bad Sisters season 2 (Apple TV Plus)
• Children Ruin Everything season 4 (CW)

November 14

• Cross (Prime Video)
• Say Nothing (FX on Hulu)

November 15

• Cobra Kai season 6B (Netflix)
• Silo season 2 (Apple TV Plus)

November 17

• Landman (Paramount Plus)

November 19

• Night Court season 3 (NBC)

November 22

• Outlander season 7B (Starz)

December

December 3

• Skeleton Crew (Disney Plus)

The Tower season 3 sees the gripping crime thriller return with Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan again leading the cast.

The first series of The Tower proved a huge hit for ITV, with The Tower II: Death Message also winning a big audience, so it was no surprise a third series was ordered. 

The Tower 3: Gallowstree Lane is based on Kate London's third novel, and is adapted by screenwriter Patrick Harbinson, who promises this will be the "best" series yet.

Here’s everything we know and for more great ITV dramas check out our best ITV dramas guide...

The Tower 3 release date

The new four-part drama will begin on Monday, September 2 at 9 pm on ITV1, then it will be shown on subsequent nights in the same slot with the finale on Thursday, September 5. You can also catch it via ITVX.

In the US, The Tower season 3 is likely to head to BritBox, but we don't have a release date.

The Tower 3 cast

As mentioned, Gemma Whelan returns as DS Sarah Collins. She is joined again by Tahirah Sharif as PC Lizzie Adama, a part for which she was BAFTA-nominated for in the first series. 

Also back are Emmett J Scanlan (The Fall) as DI Kieran Shaw and Jimmy Akingbola (Bel-Air) as DC Steve Bradshaw.

Karl Davies also returns as DCI Tim Bailie, as well as Ella Smith as DC Elaine Lucas, Calilla Beeput as Julie Woodson, Laurie Delaney as Mary Shaw and Michael Karim as PC Arif  Johar. 

The Tower 3: Gallowstree Lane plot

The series will follow the police's plans to bring down a South London drugs kingpin, but the operation is thrown into chaos when a teenager is killed on Gallowstree Lane. The book that this season follows is the third and final one in the series and won widespread critical acclaim.

It also appears then that The Tower 3 will be the final series. Screenwriter Patrick Harbinson said: "Gallowstree Lane has a high-stakes drugs and gangs storyline with Jimmy and Emmett’s characters taking major roles. Sarah and Lizzie have gripping and heart-breaking stories too, as the drama of Portland Tower comes full circle. I firmly believe series three will be our best yet."

The Tower season 3 episode guide 

Episode 1
Nearly two years since we last saw Sarah Collins, we catch up with her as she is called to the brutal stabbing of a teenager. Her investigation soon finds itself at cross purposes with a covert operation led by Kieran Shaw, who is working with Sarah’s old partner, Steve Bradshaw, now deep undercover. Lizzie Adama meanwhile, is back at Farlow trying to balance her new role as a Detective with a family life. Her path and Kieran’s are about to cross.

Episode 2
The death of working girl Lexi, murdered by Shakiel in revenge for Spencer’s stabbing, sends shock waves through Sarah’s investigation and Operation Perseus. Kieran, already under pressure because wife Mary has thrown him out of their home, faces an angry Lizzie, demanding he share information about Lexi with Sarah. But Kieran is adamant: sharing information would not only alert Shakiel Oliver to the existence of Operation Perseus, it would endanger Steve’s life. The pressure on Kieran is about to get worse: his wife contacts Sarah and says she has information about the Portland Tower case.

Episode 3
Armed with an ID for Spencer’s killer, Lizzie persuades Kieran to open up Operation Perseus to Sarah so she can make the arrest. Even with Lizzie acting as peace-maker it’s clear that Sarah and Kieran loath one another. After testing Steve’s cover at gunpoint, Shakiel invites him to become his number 2. Kieran and Steve realise that Shakiel is about to make the move that will give him control of South London but they will need to be in the right place to stop him. But Shakiel always has a card up his sleeve and this time it’s Ryan Kennedy.

Episode 4
Perseus reaches its climax as Kieran prepares to catch Shakiel with a carload of automatic weapons. However, Spencer’s killer Jermaine King has escaped from custody and kidnapped Ryan’s sister Tia. Sarah has to free Tia and re-arrest King before he disrupts Perseus. The operation succeeds: Shakiel is arrested. Then a completely unexpected disruption occurs: Ryan sees Steve shaking hands with police officers. Suddenly there are two hostage situations: Kieran and Lizzie at Steve’s flat where a furious Ryan holds Steve at gunpoint, and Sarah trying to rescue Tia from the desperate King. The scene is set for a breathtaking finale.

Is there a trailer for The Tower season 3?

Yes, the trailer is just as gripping as you might expect, with plenty of drama to look forward to. As a teenager is murdered on the streets of London, an undercover police operation is put at risk... but will Sarah Collins and her team be able to put the right people behind bars? 

Sherwood season 2 is available in full now on BBC iPlayer in the UK, while it's heading to BritBox in the US in November.

James Graham's sequel once — which we rate as one of the best BBC dramas around — again addresses a host of powerful social and political themes, as a raft of new stars joins the stellar cast from Sherwood season 1.  

The six-part series takes us back to the Nottinghamshire town of Ashfield around the Sherwood Forest area. The small ex-mining community is still scarred by divisions caused by the 1980s miners' strike. 

David Morrissey is back as Detective Chief Superintendent Ian St Clair while Lesley Manville and Lorraine Ashbourne are also in the cast. They are joined by David Harewood, Monica Dolan and Sharlene Whyte, as two new families are brought into the heady mix. My Family and Citizen Smith star Robert Lindsay is also in the series...

Here's everything you need to know about Sherwood season 2...

Sherwood season 2 release date 

Sherwood season 2 premiered in the UK on BBC One on Sunday 25 August 2024 at 9 pm. The series has ended but all the episodes are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

In the US and Canada, Sherwood season 2 is available on BritBox from Thursday, November 14, 2024.

How to watch Sherwood season 2 online or on TV

Is there a trailer for Sherwood season 2? 

Yes, there's a trailer which you can see below. Things are tense again in Nottinghamshire...

Sherwood season 1 recap

The first series of Sherwood focused on a community still reeling from the use of "spycops", a practice in which police officers were sent deep undercover to infiltrate groups that opposed government policy.

These had been used during the miners’ strike in the 1980s and the community had never recovered from the betrayal and the divisions it caused. The series saw DCI Ian St Clair (David Morrissey) investigating a crossbow murder, which stirred up old but still raw tensions.

We saw him teaming up with DI Kevin Salisbury (Robert Glenister) and attempting to bury the long-held rivalries that had existed between them since the 1980s. At the crux of the murder was the shock revelation that one of the town’s key residents was originally an undercover cop. 

Sherwood season 2 plot

Sherwood season 2 further explores the themes of fractured communities and the political turmoil in today’s Britain, introducing two new families to the town. Meanwhile a newly appointed Sheriff of Nottingham is passionately fighting local government and business leaders to stop a proposed new mine coming to the area. The mine would bring much-needed jobs but is also an unwelcome reminder of the legacy that has blighted the community for so long... 

The turmoil in Nottinghamshire’s ex-coal mining community continues into this second series with more violence plus organised crime running rampant. Caught up in the middle are the Sparrow family — mum Daphne (Lorraine Ashbourne), dad Mickey (Philip Jackson) and sons Ronan and Rory (Bill, Jones, Perry Fitzpatrick). New cast includes Monica Dolan as tough local mum Ann Branson, plus David Harewood and Sharlene Whyte as brother and sister Dennis and Pam. Robert Lindsay also stars as a controversial local businessman with big ambitions.

David Morrissey is back as retired detective Ian St Clair and Lesley Manville again plays widowed Julie Jackson.

The opening double-bill begins when disillusioned drug dealer Ryan Bottomley (Oliver Huntingdon) commits a deadly attack on one of his rivals, placing his whole family in danger. 

Sherwood season 2 returning cast 

David Morrissey is back as retired DCI St Clair while Lesley Manville returns as Julie Jackson. Lorraine Ashbourne plays her estranged sister Daphne Sparrow, the fearsome matriarch of the Sparrow family, with Philip Jackson starring as her husband Mickey Sparrow, while Bill Jones and Perry Fitzpatrick again play their sons Ronan and Rory Sparrow. Adam Hugill is also reprising his role as Scott Rowley.

The Ryan Bottomley incident (see above) is bad news for former detective Ian St Clair (David Morrissey), who’s taken on a new role as the area’s ‘anti-violence tsar’, while heads of the local crime family, Mickey and Daphne Sparrow (Philip Jackson and Lorraine Ashbourne), are also affected. 

* Meet the cast of Sherwood: our who's who guide

Sherwood season 2 new cast members

Sherwood season 2 has plenty of new characters and therefore new cast. Look out for Homeland star David Harewood as Dennis Bottomley and  Sharlene Whyte (Stephen) plays Dennis's sister Pam Bottomley. Other new cast are Monica Dolan (The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe) as Ann Branson and Stephen Dillane as her husband, while Robert Lindsay (My Family) and Robert Emms star, with Ria Zmitrowicz, Aisling Loftus, Michael Balogun, Christine Bottomley, Oliver Huntingdon, Jorden Myrie, Conor Deane and Bethany Asher. 

Monica Dolan told us about her quite scary mother, Ann Branson: "It's very unusual to play somebody who’s got absolute, complete self-confidence, particularly if you’re a woman. Ann takes the lead a lot, she never explains herself, she’s not scared of the police and she completely trusts herself. There are some scenes when you think she could go in any direction."

David Harewood on playing Denis

When rrug dealer Ryan Bottomley (Oliver Huntingdon) commits a deadly attack on one of his rivals, he places his whole family in danger. 

"I play Ryan’s step-uncle Denis," says Homeland star David Harewood. "He’s a gentle soul who just wants to support his sister, Pam, who was left to look after her step-children, Ryan and Stephie, when her partner died. Through no fault of theirs, Denis and his sister are impacted by what Ryan did, like a domino effect.’ 

Following Ryan’s attack, Denis and Pam (Sharlene Whyte) find themselves targeted by a dangerous crime family, run by Ann Branson (Monica Dolan) and her husband Roy (Stephen Dillane). 

"It’s a story that illustrates how violence impacts real communities," says David. "People who aren't involved in that world at all can still be impacted by extreme violence. That's probably what was happening during a particular period in Nottingham’s recent history."

Behind the scenes and more Sherwood season 2

Sherwood series two was filmed in and around Nottingham. The drama is produced by House Productions and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. James Graham has written all six episodes and will be an executive producer on the series. Clio Barnard is lead director and executive producer, with Tom George directing eps four, five, & six. The producer is Kate Ogborn (Life After Life; The North Water). Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross and Harriet Spencer are executive producers for House Productions, with Jo McClellan for the BBC. BBC Studios, which owns House Productions, is the international distributor of both series.

Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 sees the cozy crime hit returning for a new series of cases. The series has already arrived in the US, but is coming to the UK very soon!

After being caught in a blizzard en route home in the 2023 Sister Boniface Christmas Special, Lorna Watson's sleuthing nun is back on our screens to tackle a fresh set of mysteries. 

Life in Great Slaughter seems as dangerous as ever. This third series opens with "Never Too Deadly To Die", a James Bond-themed episode that sees one of the stars screen-testing to be the next "Agent Best" ending up murdered. Plus, Detective Sam Gillespie (Max Brown) has to contend with seeing Ruth with her new beau, Kingsley Markham. 

Here's everything you need to know about Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3. 

Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 release date

Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 began streaming on BritBox in the US on April 24, 2024. 

The series will have its UK TV premiere on Drama on Friday, June 7 at 9 pm. New episodes will air in the same place on a weekly basis, but you'll also be able to stream all episodes of Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 on UKTV Play.

Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 cast

You can't have the show without Sister Boniface, and Watson is clearly loving her role. When season 3 was first confirmed in 2023, she said: "Playing Sister Boniface is a dream, as is filming in the Cotswolds so I'm thrilled to be back for another series. 

"I can't wait to get the team back together, jump on the Vespa and see what crimes there are to solve in series three!"

In addition, the Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 cast also includes Max Brown as DI Sam Gillespie, Jerry Iwu as DS Felix Livingstone, Miranda Raison as local reporter, Ruth Penny and Ami Metcalf as Constable Peggy Button. 

When we spoke to him, Max Brown let slip that Denis Lawson (New Tricks) had joined the show as a film producer looking for the new fictional spy, Agent Best. Plus, Alex McQueen (The Thick Of It) plays a dollmaker in episode two, and Friday Night Dinner star Mark Heap guest stars in the series' third episode as "Professor Y". 

Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 plot

A plot summary from UKTV for the series teases a few of the mysteries that our sister and her crime-solving crew will be tackling, including: "A famous organist is murdered mid-tune in the chapel, Great Slaughter's first sci-fi convention results in a mysterious kidnapping and a 'dead cert' at the screen tests for the new 'Agent Best' ends up, well... dead. To top it all, Felix has a challenge of his own when his fiancée Victoria arrives from Bermuda with an ultimatum that could change everything..."

Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 full episode guide

Below, you can find a short summary for each of the cases our sleuthing sister will be facing in Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3:

• Episode 1: Sister Boniface is shaken and stirred when one of the screen-testing stars for the new Agent Best film is murdered.
• Episode 2: Sister Boniface finds herself on the hunt for a killer doll when a local toymaker is discovered stabbed to death in a locked room.
• Episode 3: When a 'Professor Y' convention descends on the village, Sister Boniface finds herself investigating the mysterious disappearance of the show's creator.
• Episode 4: When the Head Nose of a famous fragrance dynasty is found slain in his study, Sister Boniface must sniff out a killer.
• Episode 5: Sister Boniface investigates when TV show Glory Be arrives at St Vincent's and the battle to win chorister of the year turns deadly.
• Episode 6: When Great Slaughter Cricket Club's arrogant star player is murdered, Sister Boniface must do all she can to catch the killer.
• Episode 7: Mrs Clam goes undercover when glamorous door-to-door saleswomen arrive in Great Slaughter, bringing make-overs and murder with them.
• Episode 8: Felix's wedding fast approaches but can Sister Boniface unveil the killer in the wedding party before the big day?

Is there a trailer for Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3? 

A Sister Boniface Mysteries season 3 trailer has not been released at the time of writing, but we'll include it here if and when one arrives. 

In between the vacations and BBQs, most nights during the summer we still need something good to watch on TV. The good news is US TV is not going to be short on options to choose from.

While the broadcast networks are turning to game shows and reality programs to help fill their slates out while their dramas and comedies prepare for new seasons, streamers and cable are set to bring plenty of new and returning scripted shows to air if that is what you're looking for. While we're sticking to those areas mostly in this guide, let's not forget that for two weeks starting in late July we're going to have the 2024 Summer Olympics from Paris to keep us entertained.

Below you'll find the full US summer TV schedule so you know exactly when and on what channel shows are premiering, but let us help raise your awareness on some of the show's we are most excited for this summer, as the What to Watch team has picked 18 shows we can't wait to start watching.

• Also read: 15 summer blockbuster movies to see

WTW staff picks

Masterchef Generations (May 29)

There are cooking competition and then there are Gordon Ramsey cooking competitions. This year, MasterChef Generations will be turning up the heat by pitting talented chefs across four different generations against each other to determine the big winner. Contestants will represent Millennials, Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y. By the end of the show we'll see which generation can keep cool under pressure and walk away with $250,000, a shiny trophy and the title of MasterChef Champion. — Sarabeth Pollock

Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 (June 3)

It's time to set sail once again with Captain Sandy and the crew of the Motor Yacht Mustique in Below Deck Mediterranean season 9. Not only do I love the Bravo reality series for the intense drama amongst the crew on the high seas and poorly behaving guests who keep the crew on their toes, but I love seeing all of the places the boat ends up. This year, the show is heading to Greece, which will no doubt provide some stunning landscapes as a background to whatever is going on aboard the yacht.  — Sarabeth Pollock

The Acolyte (June 4)

I'll be honest, I've had my fill of the Skywalkers and their adjacent characters. I'm ready to explore another corner of the Star Wars galaxy and timeline, which is why I'm pumped to give The Acolyte a try this summer. Set long before any of the characters we're familiar with entered the picture, this mixes Star Wars and crime drama as a Jedi master investigates a murder by someone he has a past connection with. The fact that Sleeping with Other People and Russian Doll creator Leslye Headland hasn't done anything like this before intrigues me as well, as we get some truly fresh thinking into a franchise in some need of it. — Michael Balderston

Clipped (June 4) 

As both an NBA fan and a fan of basketball-inspired dramas like Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, I can't wait to watch the limited series Clipped. The show follows the story of former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his infamous fall from grace when audio recordings surfaced of him making racially offensive remarks. The real-life drama of the incident was dramatic enough, so I can only imagine what’s in store with a Hollywood spin. Plus, there's something intriguing about seeing Laurence Fishburne portray NBA championship coach Doc Rivers. — Terrell Smith

Queenie (June 7)

Watching the trailer for Queenie, I was instantly reminded of the sleeper-hit comedy, Chewing Gum starring Michaela Coel, which I found quite fascinating. Queenie is somewhat of a dark comedy about a Jamaican British woman living in London attempting to navigate her love and family dynamics, while also trying to just figure out life for herself. The latter task is hard enough in real life, so I look forward to the comedic spin of the series. — Terrell Smith

Love Island USA season 6 (June 11)

Love Island USA has become sort of a guilty summer pleasure for me over the last couple of years. I started watching when the series picked up with season 4 on Peacock, and now I can't stop. There aren't award-winning scripts, tear-jerking performances or occasions that will compel you to give a standing ovation. However, it has rollercoaster romances and must-watch challenges. Plus, Love Island USA season 6 has Ariana Madix from Vanderpump Rules to host. — Terrell Smith

The Boys season 4 (June 13)

Like Star Wars, superhero fare can't just be the usual type stuff from Marvel and DC to get me pumped any more, I'm looking for more of an edge. That's why I'm stoked for the return of The Boys. This highly violent supe satire has been pure entertainment from the start, and with The Boys season 4 promising an even more unhinged Homelander (Anthony Starr) and a desperate Billy (Karl Urban) set to go head to head, I don't expect that to change with this batch of episodes. — Michael Balderston

Bridgerton season 3 part 2 (June 13)

Dearest Gentle Reader, I can't help but admit that I am addicted to all of the drama of the Ton and after that carriage ride at the end (if you know, you know!) of the first four episodes of Bridgerton season 3, I have to know what happens next. With the quest to unmask Lady Whistledown threatening Penelope Featherington's chances at her happy ever after with Colin Bridgerton, well, let's just say the Ton has never been so thrilling and I'm ready to see how Pen and Colin's story develops.  — Sarabeth Pollock

Hotel Cocaine (June 16)

I’m a sucker for a crime drama, and Hotel Cocaine follows the story of Roman Compte, who was the general manager of a hotel that served as the epicenter of the Miami cocaine scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Having watched Netflix's Griselda earlier this year, I think the new series may be a good companion piece considering Griselda was a queenpin in Miami around that time. — Terrell Smith

House of the Dragon season 2 (June 16)

While it isn't exactly Sophie's Choice, I was going back and forth on whether I was more excited for House of the Dragon season 2 or The Rings of Power season 2. I liked both fantasy series a lot when they debuted in 2022, and actually preferred Rings of Power for being something different. But as for these two new seasons, the fact that we're getting a full-fledged dragon war (something we never saw in Game of Thrones) in House of the Dragon swayed me. Though with the two shows not overlapping as much this time, each should have their moment. — Michael Balderston

Orphan Black: Echoes (June 23)

The Clone Club is back in Orphan Black: Echoes. This time around, Krysten Ritter plays Lucy, a woman who has been through a lot in her life. All she wants is to figure out where she belongs in the world, but her past keeps colliding with her future in the most unimaginable ways. She has a supportive boyfriend, Jack (Avan Jogia), who is dedicated to helping her, but they have no idea how much the odds are stacked against them. I'm really excited to be back in the Orphan Black world; it was an innovative series when it debuted in 2013 and I can't imagine where the show will go now, especially with all of the real-world advances we've seen in science in the past decade. — Sarabeth Pollock

The Bear season 3 (June 27)

The meteoric rise of The Bear has been incredible. Over the last two summers it has completely enthralled audiences with depicting this group of friends, family and chefs as they attempt to turn around their struggling Chicago restaurant. It has quickly claimed 10 Emmys and a spot on WTW's 100 best TV shows of all time list, so of course we are going to feature The Bear season 3 on our most anticipated shows of summer 2024. After pulling off the near impossible to convert their sandwich shop into a fine dining venue, can they beat the odds and stay open? It will be another hectic and entertaining time with the cousins this summer. — Michael Balderston

All American: Homecoming season 3 (July 8)

After being off the air for over a year, largely due to the actor's and writer's strikes in Hollywood, All American: Homecoming season 3 finally debuts this summer. I've been waiting for a while to find out who Simone (Geffri Maya) decides to be with. Will she choose Damon (Peyton Alex Smith), a guy she's been attracted to since she arrived at Bringston? Or will she go with new love interest Lando (Martin Bobb-Semple), who seems to get the woman she's becoming? Personally, I'm rooting for the latter. — Terrell Smith

Big Brother season 26 (July 17)

Houseguests, get ready for another summer filled with twists and turns as a new group of contestants enter the Big Brother house to see who can outlast everyone else and take home the big cash prize at the end. To get to the end, they'll have to survive plot twists, deceit, lies, colorful competitions and visits from Zing Bot, and we'll have full access to all the action between primetime episodes and the 24/7 live feeds that offer a glimpse of what's happening in the house. — Sarabeth Pollock

Unprisoned season 2 (July 17) 

Unprisoned season 1 was a pleasant surprise. I had no idea how well leads Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo would pair together in a comedy. If you haven't tuned in yet, the series follows a woman trying to reconnect with her absentee father as he gets released from prison. By the end of the season, the father got into a little bit of trouble, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with him next in Unprisoned season 2. — Terrell Smith

Lady in the Lake (July 19)

Apple TV Plus is leaning heavy into crime dramas this summer with shows like Jake Gyllenhaal/David E. Kelley's Presumed Innocent and the Vince Vaughn/Bill Lawrence series Bad Monkey. But forced to choose, I'm going with Lady in the Lake, an adaptation of the Laura Lippman novel by Alma Ha'rel (Honey Boy) and starring Natalie Portman in her first TV leading role. The mystery sees Portman star as a 1960s woman with dreams to become an investigative journalist who dives head first into a mysterious death that rocks her city. Some great talents combining for what could be a gripping summer TV drama. — Michael Balderston

Emily in Paris season 4 part 1 (August 15)

It has been a minute since the massive cliffhanger of the Emily in Paris season 3 finale that left fans on the edge of their seats. Emily in Paris season 4 will finally deliver some answers to our burning questions. Who does Emily (Lily Collins) end up with? Who is the father of Camille's bab? And will their lives ever be the same after all of the revelations that came about at the wedding? So many burning questions! The show arrives as the Paris Olympics wrap up, so you'll be able to keep the fun times in France flowing even longer. — Sarabeth Pollock

Only Murders in the Building season 4 (August 27)

Whenever Only Murders in the Building is on, you can bet I'll be watching. This is probably my favorite show of the last few years, as the trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are perfect as a crime-solving team. And in Only Murders in the Building season 4 things are bigger than ever as they leave not just the Arconia but New York City for a sojourn in Hollywood to mingle with stars (Meryl Streep is returning, plus there are new guest stars in Eva Longoria, Molly Shannon, Eugene Levy, Kumail Nanjiani, Zack Galifianakis, Richard Kind and Melissa McCarthy). But the mystery is still the thing, as we all want to know who killed Sazz (Jane Lynch)?

Those are our picks, but there are plenty more shows that are going to premiere over the next few months that will appeal to a wide array of interests. See what catches your eye with our complete 2024 summer TV schedule, from Memorial Day to the end of August:

May TV releases

Monday, May 27

• Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter (ID/Max)
• Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (National Geographic)
• The Great War (History)
• House of Horrors: Secrets of College Greek Life (A&E)

Tuesday, May 28

• America's Got Talent season 19 (NBC)
• Beat Shazam season 7 (Fox)
• Kitchen Glow Up (Tastemade)
• The Quiz with Balls (Fox)

Wednesday, May 29

• Camden (Hulu)
• Forged in Fire season 11 (History)
• Masterchef Generations (Fox)

Thursday, May 30

• Eric (Netflix)
• Geek Girl (Netflix)
• Outchef'd season 3 (Food Network)
• Pyramid Game (Paramount Plus)
• Teen Mom: The Next Chapter season 2 (MTV)
• We Are Lady Parts season 2 (Peacock)

Friday, May 31

• Celebrity Family Food Battle (The Roku Channel)
• Couples Therapy (Paramount Plus with Showtime; June 2 on Showtime)
• The Famous Five (Hulu)
• Frog and Toad season 2 (Apple TV Plus)
• Gold Rush: Parker's Trail season 7 (Discovery Channel)
• The Great Lillian Hall (HBO)
• The Outlaws season 3 (Prime Video)

June TV releases

Saturday, June 1

• The Life & Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson (Lifetime)

Sunday, June 2

• Billy the Kid season 2 part 2 (MGM Plus)
• Celebrity IOU season 7B (HGTV)
• The Einstein Challenger (History)
• Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse (HGTV/Magnolia)
• Mayor of Kingstown season 3 (Paramount Plus)
• The Real Housewives of Dubai season 2 (Bravo)
• Ren Faire (HBO)
• Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Endgame (CNN)
• Violent Earth with Liev Schreiber (CNN)
• World Eats Bread (National Geographic)

Monday, June 3

• American Ninja Warrior season 16 (NBC)
• Battle on the Beach season 4 (HGTV)
• Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 (Bravo)
• Name That Tune season 4 (Fox)
• Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders (ID)
• Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color (National Geographic)
• Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid (History)
• Unexpected season 6 (TLC)

Tuesday, June 4

• The Acolyte (Disney Plus)
• Beyond Skinwalker Ranch season 2 (History)
• Clipped (FX on Hulu)

Wednesday, June 5

• Backed by the Bros (HGTV)
• Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial (Netflix) 

Thursday, June 6

• Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 (Paramount Plus)
• Sweet Tooth season 3 (Netflix)

Friday, June 7

• Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (Hulu)
• Fantasmas (HBO)
• Guy's All-American Road Trip season 3 (Food Network)
• Perfect Match (Netflix)
• Power Book II: Ghost season 4 (Starz)
• Queenie (Hulu)
• Transformers: Earthspark season 2 (Paramount Plus)

Monday, June 10

• Divided by Design (HGTV)
• Paranormal Caught on Camera season 7 (Travel)
• Six Schizophrenic Brothers season 1 (Discovery)

Tuesday, June 11

• Deadliest Catch season 20 (Discovery Channel)
• How Music Got Free (Paramount Plus)
• Love Island USA season 6 (Peacock)
• Motel Rescue season 2 (Magnolia Network)

Wednesday, June 12

• My Guest Needs No Introduction season 5 (Netflix)
• Presumed Innocent (Apple TV Plus)

Thursday, June 13

• Alone season 11 (History)
• Bridgerton season 3 part 2 (Netflix)
• The Boys season 4 (Prime Video)
• Blue Lights season 2 (BritBox)

Friday, June 14

• The Big Bakeover (CW)
• Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams (Netflix)

Sunday, June 16

• American Monster season 12 (ID)
• Grantchester season 9 (PBS)
• House of the Dragon season 2 (HBO)
• Hotel Cocaine (MGM Plus)

Monday, June 17

• Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown (Hulu)
• The Great American Recipe season 3 (PBS)
• Maine Cabin Masters: Building Italy (Magnolia Network)
• My Life Is Murder (BBC America/Acorn TV)

Tuesday, June 18

• Chopper Cops (Paramount Plus)
• Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution (PBS)
• Farmhouse Fixer: Camp Revamp (HGTV)

Wednesday, June 19

• Crimes Gone Viral season 5 (ID)
• Dynamic Planet (PBS)
• Hope in the Water (PBS)

Thursday, June 20

• Alone Australia season 2 (History)
• Federer: Twelve Final Days (Prime Video)
• Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini (Hulu)

Friday, June 21

• Shoresy season 3 (Hulu)

Sunday, June 23

• Getting Lost with Erin French season 1 (Magnolia)
• Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines season 8 (Magnolia)
• Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC/BBC America/AMC Plus)

Tuesday, June 25

• High Speed Chase season 2 (ID)

Wednesday, June 26

• Land of Women (Apple TV Plus)
• The Real CSI: Miami (CBS)

Thursday, June 27

• The Bear season 3 (FX on Hulu)
• Domino Day (Sundance Channel)
• My Lady Jane (Prime Video)
• That '90s Show season 2 (Netflix)

Friday, June 28

• Family Empire: Houston (OWN)
• The Mole season 2 (Netflix)

Sunday, June 30

• The Great Food Truck Race season 17 (Food Network)

July TV releases

Monday, July 1

• The Wall (NBC)

Tuesday, July 2

• Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants (HBO/Max)

Friday, July 5

• Down in the Valley (Starz)

Monday, July 8

• All American: Homecoming season 3 (CW)
• The Bachelorette season 21 (ABC)

Tuesday, July 9

• Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)

Wednesday, July 10

• Claim to Fame season 3 (ABC)
• Sunny (Apple TV Plus)
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (ABC)

Thursday, July 11

• Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer (Hulu)
• The Responder season 2 (BritBox)
• Sausage Party: Foodtopia (Prime Video)

Friday, July 12

• The Serpent Queen season 2 (Starz)

Sunday, July 14

• Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM Plus)
• Tulsa King season 1 (CBS)

Monday, July 15

• Hit-Monkey (Hulu) 

Tuesday, July 16

• Judge Steve Harvey (ABC)

Wednesday, July 17

• Big Brother season 26 (CBS)
• Unprisoned season 2 (Hulu)

Thursday, July 18

• Cobra Kai season 6 (Netflix)
• Lucky 13 (ABC)
• Press Your Luck (ABC)
• Those About to Die (Peacock)

Friday, July 19

• Lady in the Lake (Apple TV Plus)

Sunday, July 21

• Snowpiercer season 4 (AMC/AMC Plus)

Monday, July 22

• 61st Street season 2 (CW)

Tuesday, July 23

• Dress My Tour (Hulu)

Wednesday, July 24

• Time Bandits (Apple TV Plus)
• Wayne Brady: The Family Remix (Freeform)

Thursday, July 26

• 2024 Olympics (NBC/Peacock)

Monday, July 29

• Futurama season 12 (Hulu)

Wednesday, July 31

• Women in Blue (Apple TV Plus)

August TV releases

Thursday, August 1

• Unstable season 2 (Netflix)

Tuesday, August 6

• Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears (HBO/Max)

Wednesday, August 7

• Let's Make a Deal Primetime (CBS)

Thursday, August 8

• The Umbrella Academy season 4 (Netflix)

Friday, August 9

• Yo Gabba Gabbaland (Apple TV Plus)

Monday, August 12

• Solar Opposites season 5 (Hulu)

Wednesday, August 14

• Bad Monkey (Apple TV Plus) 

Thursday, August 15

• Bel-Air season 3 (Peacock)
• Emily in Paris season 4 (Netflix)

Thursday, August 22

• Reasonable Doubt season 2 (Hulu)

Tuesday, August 27

• Only Murders in the Building season 4 (Hulu)

Thursday, August 29

• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 (Prime Video)

Father Brown season 12 sees Mark Williams return as the crime-solving priest for a fresh set of adventures.

Like Death in Paradise, Father Brown has become one of the BBC's biggest long-running hits and fans will be delighted there are more stories on the way.

Setting up the new 10-part series, Mark says: "In this series, we have another Flambeau episode, and this time we are on a secret mission from the Vatican. I love the Flambeau episodes, it feels like we are in a 1950s thriller and John Light plays him to the hilt. We also have a battle re-enactment in which I got to fight a duel with an expert swordsman, although Father Brown was somewhat handicapped by only having an umbrella. We also have a long awaited wedding, although it isn't easy getting the happy couple to the altar!"

Amazingly, the series, based on the classic character created by GK Chesterton, has been going now for over 100 episodes!

Among the guest stars this season is Angela Rippon, who spoke to us about making her acting debut in the show. She told us: "I'm a huge fan of Father Brown, and I've been watching since it started. My agent knows this, and she rang me and said, 'Ange, they'd like you to do an appearance in one of the Father Browns', and I was absolutely thrilled!"

Here's everything we know about the new series…

Father Brown season 12 release date

Father Brown season 12 is released on BBC One on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 2.00 pm. 

In the US, Father Brown season 12 hits BritBox on January 23, 2025. It's also been announced that a 13th series is also on the way, although that’s unlikely to air until 2026.

Father Brown season 12 cast

It wouldn't be Father Brown without Mark Williams's wonderful performance as the man himself. Also returning are Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as Mrs Devine, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. John Light is back as devilish crook Flambeau. Denis Lawson, Cherie Lunghi and Angela Rippon are among the guest stars.

Plot

Well, the last series ended in a very happy fashion, with Chief Inspector Sullivan proposing to Mrs Devine. But obviously being a TV drama we need a bit of jeopardy about whether the wedding will actually happen. And the makers have teased that a surprise visit from the father of the groom throws everything up in the air. They hint that there’s a doubt over whether the couple will make it to the church at all. We certainly hope they do!

We also have a few more clues about what will happen over the series… "With a medieval death at a Tudor battle re-enactment, Mrs Devine finding herself accused of murder, Sergeant Goodfellow’s professional future thrown into question and Brenda ballroom dancing on national television, Father Brown and the gang are busier than ever. And when a Cardinal from the Vatican arrives with a top-secret mission for Father Brown, the priest must request the help of his old adversary Flambeau, while a new nemesis lurks in the shadows…"

The opening episode is called "The Battle of Kembleford". The BBC teases: "Celebrations commence for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Kembleford, with the re-enactment organised by over-enthusiastic Historical Society head Tyrone Higgs (Richard David-Caine). Chief Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) and Sergeant Goodfellow (John Burton) role-play the warring lords, Mrs Devine (Claudie Blakley) is Lady Catherine, whilst Brenda (Ruby-May Martinwood) bemoans that she can’t play a soldier! Meanwhile Sullivan is surprised by a visit from his father Walter (Denis Lawson), keen to make Mrs Devine’s acquaintance. When famous historian Alexander Manning (Luke Allen-Gale) arrives, officious amateur historian Frank Derbyshire (Nicholas Burns) has his nose put out of joint. Tensions rise throughout the evening, with Frank arguing with both his beloved wife Cecily (Melissa Johns) and Tyrone. As dawn breaks Brenda finds Frank murdered in most medieval fashion. Can Father Brown (Mark Williams) unmask the murderer and discover what truly happened at the Battle of Kembleford all those years ago?"

Is there a trailer?

Yes, finally we have one...

Father Brown season 12 behind the scenes and more

Father Brown is a BBC Studios Drama Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned by Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Productions is Neil Irvine and the Series Producer is David Innes Edwards. Helen Munson is the Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime. BBC Studios distributes Father Brown internationally.

Riot Women is a BBC1 drama about five menopausal women who form a punk rock band, and at its heart is a secret that could tear their lives apart. It's a six-part drama from Doctor Foster producers Drama Republic and created by Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack writer Sally Wainwright.

Formerly called Hot Flush, this drama is set in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire (where Happy Valley was filmed) and follows the lives of a group of women who jokingly create a makeshift butt-of-the-joke punk-rock band to enter a talent contest. However, set against the backdrop of coping with demanding jobs, children, dependent parents, husbands who have let them down and the menopause, the band becomes an outlet, giving them a voice and forcing them to question everything in their lives. But a long-buried secret could ruin them all. The cast for the exciting drama has yet to be announced but we’ll update this page in due course.

Sally Wainwright says: “I've been wanting to write a series like this for a long time. It's a celebration of women of a certain age, and all the life-stuff they suddenly find themselves negotiating/dealing with. The show is also my own personal homage to Rock Follies of '77, and the feisty Little Ladies who woke me up to what I wanted to do with my life when I was 13. I'm having a whole new buzz of excitement about the show as we bring it together in the edit, and I can't wait to share it with everyone!"

Here’s everything you need to know about the BBC1 drama series Riot Women…

Riot Women release date

Riot Women airs on BBC1 on Sunday, October 12 at 9pm. All six episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am the same day. BritBox will air the series in the US and Canada.

Is there a trailer for Riot Women? 

At last a Riot Women trailer has landed and we're loving it! Take a look below....

Riot Women plot

Riot Women follows five women who, along with two riotous backing singers, come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest, but in writing their first original song, they soon discover that they have a lot to say - and this is their way to say it.

As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.

As they deal with the pressures of work, grown-up children, elderly parents, useless husbands and the menopause, the band becomes a catalyst for change. However, it’s more than just music that binds them and Kitty and Beth, the unlikely creative masterminds behind the band, share a secret that threatens everything.

Riot Women cast

There's a great cast for Riot Women. In the band are Joanna Scanlan (The Larkins, After Love, The Thick of It) as Beth, Rosalie Craig (Moonflower Murders, Serpent Queen) as Kitty, Tamsin Greig (Sexy Beast, The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) as Holly, Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Alma's Not Normal) as Jess, and Amelia Bullmore (The Buccaneers, Vienna Blood) as Yvonne.

The series also stars Anne Reid (The Sixth Commandment) will play Nancy, who is Holly and Yvonne’s mother, with Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) as Jess’s Aunt Mary, alongside Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Angel Coulby (Merlin), Taj Atwal (Line of Duty), Chandeep Uppal (Holby City), Jonny Green (White Lines), Ellise Chappell (Yesterday), Macy-Jacob Seelochan (Shadow and Bone), Tony Hirst (Hollyoaks), Shannon Lavelle (Hamlin), Amit Shah (Happy Valley), Rick Warden (Red Eye), Ben Batt (Domina), Natalia Tena (Harry Potter), Melanie La Barrie (& Juliet), Oliver Huntingdon (Sherwood), Richard Fleeshman (Coronation Street), Olwen May (A Very British Scandal), Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey) and Nicholas Gleaves (Bodyguard).

The link to Rock Follies

As the 1977 drama Rock Follies inspired writer Sally Wainwright, here's a clip of that show below to enjoy below...

Behind the scenes and more on Riot Women

Riot Women is written and executive produced by Sally Wainwright while Roanna Benn (Doctor Foster, My Mad Fat Diary, Pure) is the executive producer for Drama Republic and the producer is Jessica Taylor (Happy Valley, Fool Me Once).

Riot Women will feature original songs from the band ARXX.

Roanna Benn, executive producer, says: "I am truly over the moon to be working with the amazing Sally on her new show for the BBC. In Riot Women Sally has found a unique way to explore and celebrate female friendships that is bold, vital and true. In inimitable Sally-style, Riot Women introduces us to brilliant and unforgettable characters; it is so funny, and simultaneously so full of drama, it will have you laughing and sitting on the edge of your seat. This is a show about the women who hold up modern Britain, their stories urgently need to be told, and who better than Sally Wainwright to do that."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: "We’re so excited to have the magnificent Sally Wainwright back writing on the BBC, with the brilliant Drama Republic team producing. Hot Flush is a sharply observed, vibrant and vital story of five very different women at the same stage in their lives, joined together by their love of music. But that’s just the start and - as you’d expect from Sally — there are twists and turns aplenty to keep viewers enthralled."

All about Sally Wainwright 

Writer, director and producer Sally Wainwright has had a phenomenal career, with a successful stint on British soap Coronation Street. She is the creator of hit shows such as Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, Last Tango in Halifax, Unforgiven and Scott and Bailey. She wrote the 2024 Disney Plus series Renegade Nell and created the show At Home with the Braithwaites. She started her career as a scriptwriter on hit radio drama The Archers and in the 1990s she wrote for shows such as Children’s Ward, Emmerdale, Corrie and Playing the Field. She’s also written the TV movies To Walk Invisible, about the Bronte family, and Dead Clever. Sally has won BAFTAS for Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley and was awarded an OBE in 2020.

Wunmi Mosaku leads the Passenger cast as a detective investigating a strange and sinister chain of events in the snow-covered village of Chadder Vale, in this darkly comic horror. 

Created by debut screenwriter Andrew Buchan, an actor known for his roles in Broadchurch and The Honourable Woman, the story begins when a local girl goes missing late one night, yet the incident proves just the start of a brooding series stuffed full of mysteries... 

Once we dig beneath the surface we find the people of Chadder Vale have plenty of secrets, so we thought we'd take a look at the village's residents and the star-studded cast of British talent playing them! 

Who's who in the Passenger cast

Wunmi Mosaku as Detective Riya Ajunwa

Riya is from Manchester and spent many years working for the Metropolitan Police in London, yet was persuaded to come to Chadder Vale by her estranged husband Nick, who then departed for Spain, leaving Riya to take care of his ill mum. Riya misses the big cases she used to get in London and when strange things start to happen in the village she's determined to find out what's going on. 

What else has Wunmi Mosaku been in? The Nigerian-born British actress won a BAFTA for her role in BBC real-life drama, Damilola, Our Loved Boy and has also had roles in hit British shows Vera, Luther and Kiri. In the US, she's appeared in We Own This City and played Hunter B-15 / Dr. Verity Willis in Loki. 

David Threlfall as Jim Bracknell

Jim Bracknell runs the local fracking site, but finds himself constantly beset by protestors who want to shut the facility down. Living alone in his caravan, he's haunted by the memory of a terrible crime committed by Eddie Wells and is terrified at the prospect the criminal being released from prison. 

Where else have I seen David Threlfall? Threlfall is a revered stage actor, yet his most well-known TV role came when he played foul-mouthed Frank Gallagher in Channel 4 drama Shameless. He's also played famous comic Tommy Cooper in Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This and appeared in dramas What Remains, Midwinter of the Spirit and Code of a Killer. 

Daniel Ryan as Derek Jackson

Derek Jackson is the owner of Jumbo Breads, a local factory that employs many of Chadder Vale's residents. In the first episode he's delighted to have been nominated for "Lancashire Businessman of the Year", even if neither his wife, Terry, nor his employees seem that interested. However there's something dodgy going on at the factory, which no one knows about.. 

What else has Daniel Ryan been in? Since 2019 Ryan has played DI Tony Manning in ITV crime series The Bay and has also had roles in recent dramas Crossfire, Litvinenko and Four Lives. In 2019 he also starred opposite Sally Lindsay in Cold Call, his co-star from Sky comedy Mount Pleasant. 

Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells

Katie Wells goes missing in the first episode of the series, after stopping her car following a strange collision on the woodland road. She wanders into her forest after getting out to investigate and isn't seen again until the following evening when she wanders into her mum's house as if nothing had happened. But what did she meet in the woods? And what killed the stag that was found near her abandoned car? 

Where else have I seen Rowan Robinson? This is the young British actress' first TV series, but last year she appeared in Hercule Poirot film, A Haunting In Venice, which starred Kenneth Branagh as the Belgian sleuth. 

Nico Mirallegro as Kane Jackson

Derek's younger brother was driving a Jumbo Bread lorry through the woods when something escaped from the vehicle in the opening scene of the series. But what was it? It seems Kane is very reluctant to be involved in the scheme his sibling has drawn him into and keen to live a simple life, but does he know too much to escape? 

What else has Nico Mirallegro been in? After making his debut in Hollyoaks as Barry 'Newt' Newton, Nico starred in My Mad Fat Diary, Rillington Place, Moving On and Ridley. He also appeared in 2018 Mike Leigh movie Peterloo. 

Barry Sloane as Eddie Wells

Katie's father has been in prison for five years, only to be let out on the very same day she disappears. Given the terrible nature of his crime, his early release from a 10 year prison sentence causes shockwaves in a Chadder Vale that struggled to move past his evil deed. Jim Bracknell is particularly haunted by the ex-con, but what did he do? 

Where else have I seen Barry Sloane? The Liverpool-born star is another Hollyoaks alumni and appeared in US dramas Revenge and Six, a military series where he played Joe 'Bear' Graves. He's also appeared alongside Passenger co-star Daniel Ryan in The Bay and Litvinenko. 

Natalie Gavin as Jo Wells

Katie's mum is terrified when her daughter goes missing while driving her car through the forest at the start of the series, especially as it comes just weeks after a Swedish woman disappeared in mysterious circumstances. She's also blindsided by the news that her husband Eddie has been released from prison early. Jo has battled to keep her family together since he was sent down and still struggles with the memory of what he did. 

Where else have I seen Natalie Gavin? The English actress is best known for her roles in the BBC dramas Prisoners' Wives and The Syndicate, and ITV drama Jericho. She's also had roles in Stephen Graham-led dramas Time and Bodies, a recent Netflix sci-fi thriller. 

Jo Hartley as Chief Constable Linda Markel

The Chief Constable of Chadder Vale's Police Force isn't interested in any of the strange goings-on in the town and wishes Riya would stop looking for mysteries to investigate. Rather than investigating the disappearance of someone who's now returned home, she wishes the former Met detective would find out what's happened to the village's missing bins, as her main priority is winning the Best Kept Village Award. 

Where else have I seen Jo Hartley? Jo's breakthrough came in Shane Meadows' 2006 film This Is England and she also reprised her role as the mother of main character Sean in many of the Channel 4 spin-off series. She's also appeared opposite Ricky Gervais in Netflix comedy After Life and had roles in the streaming giant's film, Bank of Dave. 

Shervin Alenabi as Mehmet Shah

Mehmet was in the pub with Katie on the night she disappeared. She gave him a lift home after he got into a fight with John (his best mate and her boyfriend) but he was passed out on the back seat when she got out of the car in the forest. The next day he awoke in his bed with no memory of what had happened. Elsewhere, Mehmet is part of the group of protestors who been making Jim Bracknell's life hell with their ongoing picket at his fracking site, while in his spare time he enjoys video games. 

Where else have I seen Shervin Alenabi before? The Iranian-born British actor is best known for feature film Baghdad In My Shadow, in which he starred alongside Passenger creator Andrew Buchan. He's also had a role in Sky's British crime drama Gangs of London. 

Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge

Katie's boyfriend is furious when he walks into the Dog & Duck and sees her cosied up with his best friend Mehmet in the first episode of the series. When Katie doesn't return home, he's convinced she's spent the night at Mehmet's but is shocked when he learns that she's missing. 

Where else have I seen Jack James Ryan? Jack is best-known for his role as Jacob Hay in ITV soap Coronation Street, but has also had roles in Vera, Doctors and Military Wives. 

Ella Bruccoleri as Ali Day

Ali Day is a junior officer who works under Riya in the Chadder Vale Police Force. She's a keen environmentalist and is very concerned by the unseasonal weather gripping the village, yet is also loyal to Riya and desperate to learn from her boss' vast experience as a detective.

Where else have I seen Ella Bruccoleri? Ella is most famous for her recurring role as Sister Frances in BBC period drama Call The Midwife, but she's also had roles in Channel 4 romantic drama Alice & Jack. Her other shows include Hotel Portofino and The Chelsea Detective. 

Arian Nik as Nish Chowdry

Another junior officer in the Chadder Vale Police Force, Nish is happy with his life in the village, spending his free time playing video games and drinking in the Dog & Duck. However when circumstances start spinning out of control, he's inspired to join Riya on a daring hunt for the truth. 

Where else have I seen Arian Nik? Nik is yet another actor who's appeared in The Bay, however he's also had a leading role in ITVX series Count Abdulla and appeared in dramas such as Killing Eve, Ackley Bridge and Van Der Valk. 

Sean Gilder as Tony Corrigan

Tony owns the local boxing gym and drinks in the Dog & Duck, yet doesn't seem to enjoy much about his life, spending most of his days in a serious grump. He dislikes Riya, yet is close with Jim Bracknell and is furious to hear that his tormentor Eddie Wells, whose crime he believes almost destroyed the Chadder Vale community, is due to be released early. 

Where else have I seen Sean Gilder? The actor's most famous role came in Channel 4 show Shameless, where he played Paddy Maguire opposite Passenger co-star David Threlfall. He's also had roles in BBC dramas Our Girl and Poldark, before cropping up in Apple TV Plus espionage thriller Slow Horses recently. 

Debbie Rush as Terry Jackson

Terry Jackson is a forensic analyst who's been married to Derek for many years, but their relationship isn't as healthy as it once was. When Katie goes missing it's her job to analyse the strange black liquid found on the dead stag by her car. But what could it be and what does Terry know about 

What else has Debbie Rush been in? Debbie is most famous for playing Anna Windass in Coronation Street for 10 years, but after leaving the soap she's had roles in Brassic and Inside No9. 

Hubert Hanowicz as Jakub Makowski

Jakub worked with Eddie Wells at Chadder Vale's garage before he was put away and has taken on the business in his absence. The Polish mechanic feels at home in a village full of outsiders and spending time with Riya, even if she beats him when they spar together at Tony's boxing club. We're pretty sure he has a thing for her, but does she return his feelings? 

What else has Hubert Hanowicz been in? The Polish actor has appeared in several British dramas, including This Is Going To Hurt, Unforgotten and Grantchester. He also had a role in Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series, Andor. 

Vera season 14 filmed in spring 2024 shortly before ITV announced this two-part series will be final-ever outing for Brenda Blethyn's hit crime drama. Brenda explained why she hung up Vera's famous trench coat and hat..

“Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I’m sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last fourteen years. I’ll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves who created Vera, and to Elaine Collins who saw fit to cast me in the role. The Producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I’m going to miss them, but I won’t forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the north east and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Filming came hot on the heels of the three-part Vera season 13 which finished on ITV1 in January 2024 — this new series was announced directly after the final episode of Vera series 13 on Sunday January 21, 2024. This time Vera will be just two episodes of standalone cases with Brenda Blethyn once again playing the titular detective Vera Stanhope, who operates in north east England. Marley Emma plays  12-year-old Vera in the second and final-ever episode.

We once asked Brenda how long she envisaged playing the character, she told us: "That’s always a hard one. If no one else wants to do it then I’m up a gum tree aren’t I! But I still love playing her. I love the character and in the novels, she never dies. Ann Cleeves is still writing them and Vera's there forever in the books so I’m happy carrying on!"

Series 13 finished with Vera, Steph and Joe working on a case that saw the murder of a chip shop owner. Here's everything you need to know so far on Vera season 14...

Vera season 14 release date

Vera season 14, which are the final-ever two episodes. will be shown on Wednesday January 1 2025 at 8pm (New Year's Day) then Thursday January 2 at 8pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX. The accompanying factual documentary, Vera farewell pet, will air on Friday January 3, at 9pm on ITV1 and STV and ITVX too.

How to watch Vera season 14 online: stream crime drama's final episodes

* All previous 13 series of Vera are currently available for streaming on ITVX in the UK and on BritBox in the US.

Is there a trailer for Vera season 14?

Yes a trailer for Vera season 14 has been released which you can take a look at below. It covers the emotional final two episodes....

Vera season 14 plot and episode guide

The cases and plot details for Vera season 14 are as follows...

Vera season 14 Episode 1: Inside by Phil Mulryne on January 1 2025.
DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) is called to the banks of the Tyne where the body of a young man has been washed up. A blow to the head indicates that this wasn’t an accidental drowning and what’s more intriguing is that this person, Zac Martin, had recently been released from prison after serving time for GBH. Having already presented Vera with an important career opportunity, Chief Superintendent Khalon (Shobna Gulati) adds to her load by tasking her with investigating a cold case too. A former union man has had his twenty-year conviction for killing his wife overturned which means her killer is still out there. So with two high-profile cases to investigate, Vera looks to her diligent, dynamic and dedicated team to get to the guarded truth. But can Vera get to the bottom of why one of her team is struggling to give as much as they should?

Vera season 14 Episode 2: The Dark Wives by Phil Mulryne on Janaury 2 2025. 

Based on the novel by Ann Cleeves, The Dark Wives is the last-ever case for DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) who is called to the foot of ‘The Dark Wives’, three mythical monoliths Vera remembers from her childhood. A bright young student has been violently killed and as if this wasn’t enough, there’s a missing girl to contend with. As the investigation unfolds, Vera pushes her team to piece together what has happened to both youngsters… but why is she cracking the whip more than usual? As Vera challenges the team, a web of intrigue begins to unravel as we learn about fractured relationships, secret projects, corruption, lies and betrayal. Another body. Another avenue of investigation leads Vera to an exciting and dangerous conclusion. Vera is thrust once more into the path of danger and once again shows us why she’s the best. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that a life-affecting change is coming Vera’s way.

Marley Emma plays young Vera (see pictured below). At just 12 years old, young Vera was shown as fiercely independent and mature beyond her years. Balancing her own grief with the responsibility of caring for her father, she displayed the resilience and strength that would later define her character. This final episode highlighted how these early challenges shaped Vera’s drive to protect the vulnerable and fight for justice.

Vera season 14 cast

Vera season 14 will again be led by Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope. David Leon is returning as Joe Ashworth as well as Rhiannon Clements as detective Steph Duncan. Shobna Gulati plays Chief Superintendent Khalon.

Brenda Blethyn on filming the final-ever two episodes for Vera season 14

Here's our chat with Brenda Blethyn about this final and fourteenth series of Vera...

We were sad to hear you were bowing out as DCI Stanhope, Brenda. Why was it the right time to leave the show?
Brenda Blethyn says: "It was such a hard decision. I love Vera and, come next March when I’d normally be about to start filming, I’ll probably be crying. But I’ve been working on the show for six months of every year for the past 13 years, away from my family. So, as much as I love it, it was time to stop."

How did you find filming your last-ever scene as Vera? 
Brenda says: "Our producer Will Nicholson had cleverly arranged for our last scene to be in the Incident Room so that all the cast and crew would be there. It’s not the last scene you’ll see on telly, but it was the last one we filmed. As soon as it was a wrap, there were champagne corks popping. It was like a big collective hug. People did speeches, and I did a little impromptu one myself. We were all a bit choked up."

Was there also a wrap party at a later date? 
Brenda reveals: "Yes, it was at St. James’ Park in Newcastle. I was presented with a beautiful cake in the shape of Vera’s Land Rover. I felt very emotional on the train back home from Newcastle [Brenda lives in Kent with her husband Michael and beloved cockapoo Jack]. I will miss my Newcastle family so much, but I fully intend to go back there. It’s party town and a great place for shopping, too!"

Have you kept any mementos from your time on the show?
Brenda says: "I’ve kept Vera’s mac, and her tweed coat, too, although it looks like it has been through the mill! I’ve also got a couple of her blouses and scarves and, of course, the hat. I found that hat myself in a fishing shop in Newcastle and knew straight away it would be perfect for Vera."

Brenda Blethyn: Why it was time to stop Vera... and how the crew gave me a cake shaped like Vera's Land Rover!

All about ITV1's Farewell Pet documentary

Vera... Farewell Pet is a one-off documentary showing on January 3 2025. ITV and Multistory Media presents this special celebratory documentary marking the end of the beloved TV detective drama, VERA. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the final series, viewers will discover the enduring appeal of the show and its profound impact on the cast, crew, and fans alike. Featuring heartfelt interviews with cast members including David Leon, Jon Morrison and Riley Jones, plus author Ann Cleeves, who share their cherished memories of working alongside Brenda Blethyn and reflect on the unique bonds formed throughout the years. As DCI Vera Stanhope prepares to hang up her iconic hat with the last two thrilling episodes, this documentary will capture the extraordinary journey of VERA and its lasting influence on British crime drama. Set against the stunning backdrop of Northumberland, where the landscape became a character in its own right, this celebration honours the show’s remarkable legacy. This hour long documentary offers fans a final chance to say ‘Farewell Pet’ to one of television’s most beloved detectives, DCI Vera Stanhope. 

* Vera…Farewell Pet on ITV1 is produced and directed by Iwan Roberts. The executive producer is Mike Blair of Multistory Media. 

Behind the scenes and more on Vera season 14

Will Nicholson (Vera, Trust Me, Wire in the Blood) has produced and executive produced 42 episodes of Vera since 2013 and now returns to produce these final two episodes for Vera season 14. Vera is produced in association with ITV Studios, which will handle global distribution. Silverprint Pictures is an ITV Studios company. Vera continues to be one of the bestselling dramas across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Silverprint Pictures Creative Director Kate Bartlett (Shetland, Vera, Flesh and Blood, The Long Call) has executive produced many of the series since its inception. ITV have commissioned 54 episodes to date before recently confirming a further 2 x 120 minute films which will be the drama’s 14th and final series.

Kate Bartlett says: “It is the end of an era and has been an extraordinary journey over fourteen amazing series of Vera. So many wonderful and talented people have been involved in the making of Vera across all the series, but none of us would be here without two incredible women: firstly, the absolutely extraordinary talent of the inimitable Brenda Blethyn. She is brilliant as DCI Vera Stanhope, a truly iconic character of our times. And - of course - the amazing Ann Cleeves, author of the original novels and creator of DCI Vera Stanhope. We will all be very sad to say goodbye to Brenda and everyone involved in making the show.”

After The Flood on ITV1 sees Peaky Blinders star Sophie Rundle take on the role of an obsessed cop in a town torn apart by the effects of a shocking environmental disaster.

She plays PC Joanna Marshall who works in a small town that has been hit by a terrible flood who then finds she has a murder investigation on her hands.

Life on Mars actor Philip Glenister is also starring as property developer Jack Radcliffe while Bridgerton star Lorraine Ashbourne is Jo’s mother, Molly. 

Sophie Rundle teases: "Jo is a brilliantly bold, compelling protagonist. The story is sharp, intriguing and articulate about the climate crisis and the impact on the communities it is directly affecting." 

Here’s everything we know about After The Flood…

After The Flood release date

After The Flood is a six-part thriller that started on ITV1 on Wednesday 10 January 2024 at 9 pm. The second episode is on ITV1 on Wednesday 17 January at 9 pm. The whole series is available now as a box set on ITVX and STV Player. US viewers will be able to watch it in BritBox. There's no release date in the US yet but keep an eye on this page and we’ll update you when a US release date is scheduled. 

Is there a trailer for After The Flood? 

Yes ITV has released a trailer for After The Flood which shows how the dramatic events unfold after the huge downpour. Take a look below..

After The Flood plot 

After The Flood follows life in a town struggling in the aftermath of a major flood that has wrecked the community. As the clear-up starts, the body of an unidentified man is found in a lift in an underground car park and the police quickly assume he was trapped by the rising waters. 

However, as the investigation unfolds, pregnant PC Joanna Marshall (Sophie Rundle) becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to him, and it seems the floods will expose long-buried truths. 

After The Flood cast — Sophie Rundle on playing PC Jo Marshall 

Sophie Rundle, who plays determined cop Jo Marshall in After The Flood, says: "I opened the front page and started reading and I kept going, ‘Is that me? Is that my character? Do I get to do that? That is so cool’. Especially for someone in my casting bracket. I’ve done a lot of corsets and a lot of holding babies and mooning after someone in the background. To be doing the stunt and not just witnessing it was so exciting. I think it is so clever of Mick Ford to write that as the introduction for your protagonist. This is the world. These are the stakes. Here she is. She’s in the water. She’s saved the baby and she’s pregnant. Boom. You’re in. How could you not watch that? 

"We were up in Stockton-on-Tees for a week filming the flash flood, and it was like being on a school trip. Before that we had been filming in and around Manchester, so this was the only time we all went away somewhere. We were all giddy and excited. It is where they train all the emergency services. There’s this water course and they have control of the speed and the scale of the water. They had all these big strapping six-foot lifeguards in all their emergency gear stationed along the water course who were lovely. They said, ‘If you fall the water is going to take you but don’t worry, we’re going to save you.’ Luckily, I didn’t ever stack it, so they didn’t have to save me. It was a really exciting moment as an actress and as a woman in this industry to be the hero reaching out for the baby dressed in all my police gear with the rain going. The water was really strong, and we were in and out of it all the time. On the last day I realised my hand was shaking because I hadn’t eaten anything. I was so pumped from the adrenalin. It wasn’t a normal day at work where you do your lines, and you go home. It really made the job for me."

* Sophie Rundle is currently starring in the series The Diplomat and has also starred in Peaky Blinders and Gentleman Jack. Sophie has had roles in The Nest, Bodyguard, Elizabeth is Missing, Brief Encounters, Jamestown, The Midnight Sky and Rose.

* After The Flood star Sophie Rundle 'wasn't sure' about working with real-life partner

Philip Glenister on playing Jack Radcliffe

Philip Glenister plays property developer Jack Radcliffe in After The Flood. He says: "He’s a bit of a Jack the lad. He’s a big fish in a small pond. He’s never married or had children. To be that age and to go through life like that probably makes him a self-centred, selfish sort of human being. He’s still a bit of a lothario, God forbid, but he does have a good side to him. I think that’s important to say. He does have a caring side. That side is wrapped up in his business dealings, but he has turned his work into something that can be environmentally friendly as well. 

"He’s got a lot at stake on with the Uplands eco housing project. The bottom line is if this Uplands project gets flooded then he loses his entire business. So, it’s important for that to work. It’s just getting the cash flow and all the red tape that goes with it. Then there is everything else that is going on within the town and there is quite a lot going on. Jack comes in and out in his ‘ecologically friendly’ Range Rover! And his V8."

"Working alongside Lorraine Ashbourne was just brilliant. We laughed so much. One day we were up doing this scene on a hill and although the sun was out it was freezing. We’re sitting there supposed to be eating chips and the chips were also freezing. Then we had to have a little kiss at the end and we both had chip teeth. Sorry, I’ve got a bit of chip in my teeth! It was good fun. She’s great Lorraine. She’s just one of nature’s life forces. She’s funny. She’s smart."

* Philip Glenister shot to fame playing DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC1 time travel series Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. He’s also starred in Clocking Off, Roger Roger, Hornblower, Vanity Fair, The Other Boleyn Girl, Calendar Girls, Cranford, Mad Dogs and Belgravia. 

* Philip Glenister 'fine' with axing of Life on Mars sequel

Lorraine Ashbourne as Molly

Lorraine Ashbourne takes on the role of Jo’s mum Molly. She plays Mrs Varley in the hit series Bridgerton and Karen in I Hate Suzie. She’s also starred in Sherwood, Alma’s Not Normal, Playing The Field, Unforgotten and The Crown. She's married to fellow actor Andy Serkis (Gollum in Lord Of The RIngs) and is the mother of their acting son Louis Ashbourne Serkis (No Return)

Who else is starring in After The Flood? 

After The Flood has a big cast of well-known actors. Nicholas Gleaves (The Crown, Bodyguard) plays Jo’s boss Sergeant Phil Mackie and Matt Stokoe (The Hunt For Roaul Moat, Jamestown) is her husband, Pat. Jonas Armstrong (The Bay, Floodlights) is Lee Ellison, a seemingly heroic local man, and Jacqueline Boatswain (Anansi Boys) plays local politician Sarah Mackie. Anita Adam Gabay is Tasha Eden.

Who's who — the characters in After The Flood

Here's a rundown of the main characters in After The Flood, as the actors give us more on them...

PC Jo Marshall
(Sophie Rundle)
"Jo’s father was a police officer who died,’ says Sophie. ‘That trauma might be why she’s so determined to get to the truth.’ 

DS Pat Marshall
(Matt Stokoe) 
“Pat’s a senior detective,’ explains Matt. ‘But Jo’s detective training means the lines between their home life and work begin to blur."

Molly Marshall
(Lorraine Ashbourne)
"Jo’s mother is a widow who wants to help her community," says Lorraine."She’s courageous and fearless."

Jack Radcliffe
(Philip Glenister) 
"Jack’s a businessman with quite a few layers to him," says Philip. ‘"He’s a big fish in a small pond in Waterside." 

DS Phil Mackie
(Nicholas Gleaves) 
"Phil has an emotional connection to Jo," says Nicholas. "Her dad was a good friend of his who died in the line of duty."

Sarah Mackie
(Jacqueline Boatswain) 
"Sarah is a local councillor," says Jacqueline. "She’s hard-working and ambitious and wants the best for her community."

Lee
(Jonas Armstrong)
"He’s a mysterious character with a chequered past," explains Jonas."He helps Jo save the baby, but flees afterwards."

PC Deepa Das
(Tripti Tripuraneni) 
"Deepa is new to the force and very eager to learn," says Tripti. "She’s good friends with Jo and really looks up to her."

After The Flood cast: who's who

Jonas Armstrong on playing Lee Ellison in After The Flood

Jonas Armstrong, who plays hero Lee Ellison in After The Flood, says "When you first meet Lee, he is running down the embankment. A baby is being swept away by the current and the flood. Without thinking he goes on instinct and just plunges into the water risking his own life essentially to save this infant. We presume this man is dead because of the ferocity of the flood and then right at the end of episode one you see him washed up on the embankment further down. Lots of hours have passed. He’s unconscious. He wakes up. There are police sirens. He sees the activity going on, he’s injured. Rather than go towards the town, he makes a decision to go the other way. I can’t tell you much about his history, but he has a chequered past."

After The Flood baby rescue opening scene secrets revealed by Jonas Armstrong

After The Flood episode guide (with a few spoilers)

Here's a brief episode guide to the six episodes of After The Flood, with a few spoilers (so look away if you don't want to know. We'll be updating as the series progresses on ITV1...

Episode 1: Wednesday January 10, ITV1
Jo Marshall is a police officer who’s seven months pregnant and determined to get to the truth about a murder carried out during a devastating flood. The opening scene of the crime drama sees Jo jumping into a swollen river to help a mysterious stranger named Lee (Jonas Armstrong) rescue a baby that’s been washed away by the rising waters. When the flood waters recede, the body of an unidentified man is found in the lift of an underground car park. The local police assume the man was trapped by rising water, but Jo isn’t so sure. 
Jo's partner, Waterside detective Pat (Matt Stokoe) urges her to forget the case, while her mother Molly (Lorraine Ashbourne) encourages her to pursue it. It’s soon clear her investigation will expose some long buried truths for Waterside residents, such as local businessman Jack Radcliffe (Philip Glenister). 
After The Flood episode 1 recap: Who is Lift Man?

Episode 2: Wednesday January 17, ITV1
When the body of an unidentified man was discovered in an underground car park after a terrible flood, everyone in Waterside assumed he’d drowned. Yet PC Jo Marshall was convinced there was something more sinister about the case and took it upon herself to start a secret investigation into his death. However her desperation to get to the truth led her to take a terrible risk when she uploaded his DNA profile online in a bid to find out more about him in last week’s first episode.  It was a serious breach of data protocol and she fears it’s a mistake that could cost her career when one of his relatives gets in touch demanding answers. However when the dead man’s relative offer up some shocking information that could prove crucial to her case, Jo finds herself caught in a very tricky situation. Should she give up or risk her career and keep going?
After The Flood episode 2 recap: How does Lee know Lift Man?

Episode 3: Wednesday January 24, ITV1
Lee Ellison risked his life to stop a baby being washed away by the flood waters in the first episode of this six-part crime thriller, but is he really the hero everyone thinks he is?  PC Jo Marshall (Sophie Rundle) hoped he’d come forward so she could thank him for his act of bravery, yet the mysterious local disappeared without trace and hasn’t been seen since. Lee finally reappears this week and is immediately recognised by Tasha Eden (Anita Adam Gabay), who’s travelled to Waterside from France after being contacted by Jo.  Tasha is convinced her brother, Daniel Eden, is the man who was found dead in the lift after the flood, but how does she know Lee and what does Lee know about Daniel’s death? It becomes clear Lee and Daniel were good friends, yet Lee says he has no idea why Daniel let his sister believe he was dead for the last five years.
After The Flood episode 3 recap: What happened at Riverside Court?

Episode 4: Wednesday January 31, ITV1
Jo got a nasty shock when she visited Chris Robinson’s house at the end of the last episode, but now she’s starting to suspect he was silenced before he could share a terrifying secret. Chris was the caretaker of Riverside Court, which is where Daniel Eden’s body was found, and he told Jo he’d found something in one of the office building’s rooms. 
Riverside Court’s owner, Jack Radcliffe, was reportedly furious when he heard Chris allowed Jo access to the building, and when she finally visited, she found the room in question had been completely cleaned. But did Jack have Chris killed so he couldn’t tell Jo what he found? 
One person who’s very close to Jack is Waterside Council’s Chair of Planning, Sarah Mackie (Jaqueline Boatswain), yet Jo is deeply suspicious of their connection...
After The Flood episode 4 recap: Did Jack Radcliffe murder Chris?

Episodes 5 and 6
We'll be updating with these later episodes as the series progresses.

Behind the scenes, locations and more about After The Flood

Filming started on After The Flood in February 2023 in the Manchester, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire and Teeside areas of the UK.

After the Flood is produced by multi-award-winning Manchester-based executive producer Nicola Shindler and her team, including fellow exec producer Richard Fee,  at Quay Street Productions in association with ITV Studios. The drama is written by Mick Ford.

Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers have said: “When Mick Ford brought the kernel of the idea of After the Flood to us, we were immediately drawn in. Not just by the catastrophic repercussions of a deadly environmental disaster in a town that could very well be our own, but also the intricacies and deception at the heart of the characters’ stories. 

"We have a brilliant combination of writing, directing and acting talent on board to bring this series to life and we’re looking forward to working with our partners at ITV and BritBox International as we begin filming.”

Mick Ford adds: “I'm always excited to announce a new project but After the Flood in particular tops all of the others due to its ambition and the characters. The cast are fantastic, and I am thrilled with how perfect each cast member is for their role. 

"ITV has been brilliant throughout the writing process allowing us the time to craft the scripts with care which is rare and brilliant. Plus working with Quay Street Productions for Nicola and Richard is so special – because they and their teams are so special, and I feel truly honored. It is going to be great seeing everyone getting into the story and seeing it come to life — and then there is the flood!”

Reemah Sakaan, CEO BritBox International said: “After the Flood is a gripping thriller featuring a fantastic cast, led by Sophie Rundle as our determined investigator, getting stuck into a complex crime in her community, with environmental catastrophe as a backdrop. We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with ITV and Nicola’s team at Quay Street on this production. The series joins our world-class slate of quality British originals and its themes are sure to resonate with fans around the world.”

After The Flood creator Mick Ford: Climate change is our world now

BritBox is still the best place to find your favorite UK TV shows, as well as some new shows that are definitely binge-worthy. We’re here to help you sort through the best BritBox shows available now to find your next streaming obsession.

BritBox is a streaming service that gives US subscribers access to popular UK TV shows. While it is also available in the UK, it is only accessible to new subscribers of ITVX Premium, so this guide highlights the shows that are available to US viewers.

For US fans of UK TV, BritBox allows subscribers to binge Downton Abbey, classic Doctor Who and fantastic UK crime dramas like Death in Paradise.

You can browse through categories below to see the best mysteries, dramas, comedies and documentaries that BritBox has to offer, or scroll to the bottom for a full list of all the shows that are available on BritBox right now.

Please note however that the shows on BritBox are constantly being updated. The listings here are current as of our most recent update.

BritBox mystery shows 

• Agatha Christie's Marple
• Agatha Christie's Poirot
• The Bletchley Circle
• Father Brown
• Inspector Morse
• Luther
• Prime Suspect
• Vera
• White Chapel

Check out our rankings of the best BritBox mystery shows right here.

BritBox dramas

• Archie
• Coronation Street
• Being Human
• Doctor Foster
• Doctor Who
• Downtown Abbey
• EastEnders
• Lark Rise to Candleford
• North & South
• Pride & Prejudice
• Upstairs Downstairs (2010)
• Utopia

BritBox comedies

• Absolutely Fabulous
• All Creatures Great and Small
• Are You Being Served?
• As Time Goes By
• Black Adder
• The IT Crowd
• K-9 and Company
• Mr. Bean
• The Office

BritBox documentaries and lifestyle shows 

• Grand Designs
• Instant Gardner
• An Interview With Brian Cox
• Jamie's One-Pan Wonders
• Kitchen Nightmares
• Make It At Market
• Princess Anne: The Plot to Kidnap a Royal
• Rachel Allen Dinner Parites
• Reel Britannia
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

How to watch BritBox in the US

BritBox in the US currently costs $8.99 per month, or $89.99 per year after a seven-day free trial period. BritBox is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV Fourth Gen, Samsung, LG and all iOS and Android devices, AirPlay, Chromecast and online at www.britbox.com. BritBox is also available on Prime Video Channels for Prime members and on Apple TV Channels. 

All BritBox shows

Here is a complete list of all the BritBox shows that are available to US subscribers right now, broken down alphabetically:

Numbers

• 7 Up & Me
• 8 Out of 10 Cats
• 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
• 15 Days
• 24 Hours In Police Custody
• 35 Days
• 63 Up
• 300 Years of French and Saunders

A

• A Bit of Fry and Laurie
• A Christmas Carol
• A Confession
• A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
• A Mother's Son
• A Queen Is Crowned
• A Royal Scandal
• A Tale of Two Cities
• A Touch of Frost
• A Tribute to Her Majesty The Queen
• Above Suspicion
• Absolutely Fabulous
• Africa Rising with Afua Hirsch
• After the Flood
• Against the Law
• Agatha Christie: 100 Years of Poirot and Miss Marple
• Agatha Christie: The ABCs of Murder
• Agatha Christie: Ordeal By Innocence
• Agatha Christie: The Pale Horse
• Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery
• Agatha Christie: Speaking Her Own Words
• Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun
• Agatha Christie's Marple
• Agatha Christie's The Mirror Crack'd
• Agatha Christie's Murder is Easy
• Agatha Christie's Poirot
• Agatha Christie's The Secret Adversary
• Agatha Christie's Toward Zero
• Agatha Christie's Why Didn't They Ask Evans (1980)
• Age Before Beauty
• Alan Carr's Adventures with Agatha Christie
• Alan Cumming's Paradise Homes
• Alfresco
• All Aboard!
• All Creatures Great and Small
• 'Allo 'Allo!
• An Inspector Calls
• An Interview with Brian Cox
• Another Country
• Archie
• Are You Being Served?
• Are You Being Served? (2016)
• Arthur: A Life With The Royal Family
• As Time Goes By
• Ashes to Ashes
• At Home with the Braithwaites
• Avoidance

B

• Bad Education
• The Bad Education Movie
• BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises
• Ballet Shoes
• Ballykissangel
• Bancroft
• The Barking Murders
• The Baron
• The Bay
• The Beatles and India
• The Beechgrove Garden
• Being Human
• Bergerac
• Best in Paradise
• Beyond Paradise
• Beyond the Pale
• Black Widow: The Murder of David Jackson
• Black Work
• Blackadder
• The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories
• Blandings
• Bleak House
• Bleak House (1985)
• The Bletchley Circle
• The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco
• Blindspot
• Bliss
• Blue Lights
• Blue Murder
• Boon
• Bramwell
• Breaking Dad: Britain's Unlikeliest Drug Dealer
• Brideshead Revisited
• Bright Young Things
• Britain's Secret Treasures
• Broken

C

• Cadfael
• The Cafe
• Callan
• Cameraman to The Queen
• Campion
• Capital
• Captivated
• Carols from King's
• Casualty
• Catch Me a Killer
• Catherine Cookson's The Cinder Path
• Catherine Cookson's The Dwelling Place
• Catherine Cookson's The Fifteen Streets
• Catherine Cookson's The Gambling Man
• Catherine Cookson's The Girl
• Catherine Cookson's The Glass Virgin
• Catherine Cookson's The Man Who Cried
• Catherine Cookson's The Moth
• Catherine Cookson's The Rag Nymph
• Catherine Cookson's The Tide of Life
• Catherine Cookson's The Wingless Bird
• The Champions
• The Change
• Changing Ends
• Charles & Diana: The Wedding
• Charles II: The Power and the Passion
• Charles III: The Coronation Year
• Charles, The Monarch and the Man
• Chasing Shadows
• Chef White's
• Chef!
• Chewing Gum
• Christopher and His Kind
• Churchill: The Darkest Hour
• The City & the City
• Clash of Santas
• Classic Doctor Who
• Classic Doctor Who Comic-Con Panel
• Classic Father Brown
• The Cleaner
• Click and Collect
• Code Blue
• Code Blue: One Punch Killers
• Cold Blood
• Cold Feet
• Cold Feet: The New Years
• The Commander
• The Complete and Utter History of Britain
• The Confessions of Frannie Langton
• The Control Room
• The Conviction: The Case of Stephen Lawrence
• Coronation Street
• The Coroner
• Countdown to the Crown: The Who’s Who and What’s What of the Coronation
• Cracker
• Craig Ferguson: I'm Here to Help
• Cranford
• Crime Story
• Crossfire
• The Curse

D

• Dalziel & Pascoe
• Damned
• Dandelion Dead
• Daniel Deronda
• Dark Heart
• The Darling Buds of May
• David Copperfield
• David Copperfield (1986)
• David Suchet On The Orient Express
• Days of Majesty
• DCI Banks
• Dead in the Water
• Deadline
• Death Valley
• Death in Paradise
• Death on the Tyne
• Deceit
• Des
• Dial M for Middlesbrough
• Dickensian
• Dirk Gently
• The Doctor Blake Mysteries
• Doctor Foster
• Doctor Who Specials
• Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited
• Doctor Zhivag
• Douglas is Cancelled
• Downton Abbe
• Downton Abbey Extras
• Dying for Revenge

E

• Eddie Izzard: Definite Article
• Eddie Izzard: Glorious
• EE BAFTA Film Awards
• Eleventh Hour
• Elizabeth R
• Elizabeth: Fashioning a Monarch
• Elizabeth: Her Passions and Pastimes
• Emma
• Emma (1972)
• Emmerdale
• Escape to the Country
• Extras
• The Ex-Wife

F

• The Fall
• Father Brown
• Father Ted
• Fingersmith
• five by five
• Florence Nightingale
• Flowers
• Forensics: The Real CSI
• The Frankenstein Chronicles
• From Darkness
• Funny is Funny: A Conversation with Norman Lear

G

• Gardeners' World
• Gavin & Stacey
• Gentlemen, The Queen
• The Ghost of Richard Harris
• Gina Yashere: Skinny B*tch
• Good Cop
• Good Neighbors
• The Good Ship Murder
• Gordon Ramsay: Christmas Cookalong
• Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live
• Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking: Festive Specials
• Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Home Cooking
• Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course
• The Governor
• Grace
• Grand Designs
• Granite Harbour
• Great Escape: The Untold Story
• Great Expectations (1981)
• Great Expectations (1999)
• Great Expectations (2011)
• The Great Train Robbery

H

• Harbour Cops
• Hard Times
• Heartbeat
• The Heist at Hatton Garden
• The Helen West Casebook
• Here We Go
• Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
• Hidden
• Hidden: World's Best Monster Mystery - Loch Ness
• Him
• Holloway: Women Behind Bars
• Homefront
• Honour
• Hope Street
• The House Across the Street
• House of Cards
• The House of Eliott
• The Hunt for Raoul Moat
• Hustle

I

• I Literally Just Told You
• I, Jack Wright
• The Ice House
• In Defence
• In Plain Sight
• In the Dark
• In the Footsteps of Killers
• Informer
• The Inheritance
• Insert Name Here
• Inside No. 9
• Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over
• The Inspector Lynley Mysteries
• Inspector Morse
• The Instant Gardener
• Intruder
• Irvine Welsh's Crime
• Isolation Stories
• The IT Crowd

J

• Jamaica Inn
• Jane Eyre
• Jesus of Nazareth
• The Jetty
• Joan
• Jon and Lucy's Odd Couples
• Jonathan Creek
• The Jonathan Ross Show
• The Jury

K

• K9 & Company: A Girl's Best Friend
• Karen Pirie
• Kate & Koji
• Kavanagh QC
• Keeping Up Appearances
• Killer Net
• Killing Eve
• Kirstie’s Vintage Home

L

• The Lady Vanishes
• Landward
• Lark Rise to Candleford
• The Last Detective
• Last Night of the Proms
• Last of the Summer Wine
• Lewis
• Lewis: Behind the Scenes
• Life in Squares
• Life in a Cottage Garden
• Life of Crime
• Life on Mars
• The Lights Before Christmas
• Line of Duty
• Little Boy Blue
• Little Dorrit
• Living the Dream
• The Long Call
• Lorraine's Fast, Fresh, and Easy Food
• Lost Boys and Fairies
• Lost in Austen
• Lot No. 249
• Love in a Cold Climate
• Love/Hate
• Lovejoy
• Lucan
• Ludwig
• Luther

M

• Macbeth (2018)
• Maigret
• Maigret (1992)
• Make It at Market
• The Mallorca Files
• Man Down
• Mandela, My Dad and Me
• Manhunt: The Phantom Cop Killer
• Manhunt: The Raoul Moat Story
• Mansfield Park
• Mapp and Lucia (Original)
• Mapp and Lucia (2014)
• Marco's Great British Feast
• Maxine
• McDonald & Dodds
• Meghan & Harry: A Revolutionary Romance
• MI-5
• Middlemarch
• Midwinter of the Spirit
• Mind Games
• Misbehaviour
• Miss Austen Regrets
• Miss Marple
• Mo
• Mock the Week
• The Monarchy
• Monday Monday
• Monty Don's American Gardens HD
• Monty Python and The Holy Grail
• Moone Boy
• The Moorside
• Motherlan
• Moving On
• Mr. Loverman
• Mr. Bean
• Mrs. Biggs
• The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries
• Mrs. Brown's Boys
• Mum
• The Murder at Road Hill House
• Murder Case
• Murder Investigation Team
• The Murder in Angel Lane
• Murder in Provence
• The Murder of Sandra Rivett
• Murder in Suburbia
• Murder in the Village
• Murder on the Blackpool Express
• Murder, Mystery, and My Family
• Murder, They Hope
• Murderland
• The Museum
• My Family
• My Family and Other Animals
• My King Charles

N

• The Naked Civil Servant
• New Blood
• The New Statesman
• New Tricks
• Next of Kin
• No Offence
• North and South
• Northanger Abbey
• Northern Lights (2006)
• Northern Lights
• Not Going Out
• NW

O

• The Office
• Oliver Twist (1985)
• Oliver Twist (2007)
• One Foot in the Grave
• Only Fools and Horses
• Open All Hours
• The Other Boleyn Girl
• The Other Mrs Jordan
• Our Mutual Friend

P

• Partners in Crime
• Passenger
• Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs
• Payback
• Peep Show
• The Pembrokeshire Murders
• The Pembrokeshire Murders: Catching the Game Show Killer
• Persuasion
• Peter O'Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba
• Picturing Elizabeth: Her Life in Images
• Pie in the Sky
• Pointless
• Pride and Prejudice (1980)
• Pride and Prejudice (Remastered)
• Prime Minister's Questions
• Prime Suspect
• Princess Anne: The Plot to Kidnap a Royal
• Prison
• Protection

Q

• QI
• Question Time
• Quirke

R

• Race Across the World
• Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties
• Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares
• Rebus
• Red Dwarf
• Redemption
• Reel Britannia
• Reilly Ace of Spies
• The Repair Shop
• The Responder
• Rev.
• Reyka
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show
• Richard Osman's House of Games
• Rising Damp
• The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
• River
• Robin of Sherwood
• Rosemary & Thyme
• Rough Diamond
• Rowan Atkinson Presents: Canned Laughter
• The Royal
• Royal Autopsy
• Royal Carols: Together at Christmas 2022
• Royal Carols: Together at Christmas 2023
• Royal Carols: Together at Christmas 2024
• The Royal Today
• Rumpole of the Bailey
• The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Next Chapters

S

• The Sally Lockhart Mysteries
• The Sandbaggers
• Sandi's Wood
• Scott & Bailey
• Screw
• Secrets from The Sky
• Seekers
• Sense and Sensibility (1981)
• Sense and Sensibility (2008)
• Servants
• Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
• Shameless
• The Shard: Hotel in The Clouds
• Sharpe
• Sherlock
• Sherlock Holmes
• Sherwood
• Shetland
• Silent Witness
• Sister Boniface Mysteries
• The Six Wives Of Henry VIII
• The Sixth Commandment
• The Small Hand: A Ghost Story
• Sparkling Cyanide
• Staged
• Stath Lets Flats
• Sticks and Stones
• Still Open All Hours
• Stonehouse
• Stonemouth
• The Street
• Supply and Demand
• Suspect
• Suspects
• The Sweeney
• The Syndicate

T

• Taggart
• That Day We Sang
• The Thick of It
• The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe
• The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe: The Real Story
• The Thin Blue Line
• The Ties that Bind
• The Tower
• The Trial of Lord Lucan
• The Truth about My Murder
• The Turn of the Screw
• There She Goes
• This England
• This Farming Life
• This is Joan Collins
• Thorne: Scaredy Cat
• Thorne: Sleepyhead
• Three Little Birds
• Tim
• Tina & Bobby
• Tipping the Velvet
• Toast of London
• Traces
• Trauma
• Travels With Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet
• Tree on a Hill
• Trial & Retribution
• Trigger Point
• Tutankhamun
• Twenty Twelve

U

• Undercover
• Unfinished Portrait: The Life of Agatha Christie
• Until I Kill You
• The Up Series
• Upstairs Downstairs (2010)
• Upstairs Downstairs (Original)
• Upstart Crow
• Utopia

V

• Vera
• Vera: Farewell Pet (2025)
• Vera Postmortem
• The Vicar of Dibley
• The Vice
• Virgin Atlantic: Up In The Air
• The Victim

W

• W1A
• WPC 56
• Wagatha: A Courtroom Drama
• Waiting for God
• Waking the Dead
• Wallander
• Wedding of the Century
• What Remains
• When the Queen Spoke to the Nation
• Whitechapel
• White Heat
• The White Princess
• Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
• Wild Bill
• Without Motive
• The Women of World War One
• Women On The Force
• Would I Lie to You?
• Wuthering Heights
• Wycliffe

Y

• Year of the Rabbit
• Young Hyacinth

Murder Is Easy on BBC1 boasts an all-star cast and sees a serial killer on the loose in a sleepy English village so it has all the ingredients of a classic Agatha Christie with twists, turns and red herrings all the way through.

Many of the author's world-famous mystery novels have been adapted for the screen by the BBC and ITV, including And Then There Were None, The ABC Murders, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, Marple and Poirot, and now Murder Is Easy is the latest to get the TV treatment by BBC One.

The two-part thriller, based on the Murder Is Easy mystery novel, boasts an impressive cast, including Downton Abbey star Penelope Wilton, Shetland's Douglas Henshall and Sinead Matthews, with Industry star David Jonsson leading the drama as Fitzwilliam, a man who must find a ruthless killer before they strike again.

Here’s everything you need to know about the BBC One two-parter Murder is Easy…

Murder Is Easy release date

Murder Is Easy is a two-parter that starts on BBC1 on Wednesday, December 27 2023 at 9pm, then finishes up on Thursday, December 28 2023 at 9pm so perfect for watching during the Christmas 2023 period. This Agatha Christie adaptation will also be available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and also BritBox in the US, Canada and South Africa. 

There’s no official US release date yet for Murder Is Easy. It should be some time in 2024. When the international air date is announced, we'll update you on here. 

Is there a trailer for Murder Is Easy?

Yes the BBC has released a Murder Is Easy trailer, which starts with Penelope Wilton's character Mrs Pinkerton boarding a steam train and reporting 'murder' to David Jonsson's Luke Fitzwilliam. Take a look below...

Murder Is Easy plot

Murder Is Easy is set in 1954 when a chance encounter on a train leads to a murky tale of murderous secrets.

The story follows Nigerian attaché Luke Fitzwilliam (David Jonsson), who’s on his way to start a senior Whitehall job when he learns of a series of murders in the quaint English village of Wychwood under Ashe from fellow train passenger Miss Pinkerton (Penelope Wilton).

Although the bizarre deaths have been dismissed as mere accidents by local cops and villagers alike, Miss Pinkerton is confident there’s a serial killer on the loose — and when she’s later mown down by a car on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam finds himself heading to sleepy Wychwood to solve the mystery! Fitzwilliam knows he must find the murderer before he strikes again. 

Murder Is Easy cast — David Jonsson on playing Luke Fitzwilliam

David Jonsson plays Luke Fitzwilliam, who is charged with catching a killer when he's told of a village spree by Miss Pinkerton. 

David says: "Luke’s Fitzwilliam is an attaché from Nigeria with a job at Whitehall waiting for him. But his life gets derailed when he meets Miss Pinkerton, who has information about a number of horrible deaths in her English village. She thinks they’re murders, but they’ve been brushed off as accidents."

"He ends up in Wychwood to solve these murders, which isn’t what he budgeted for. But nonetheless, duty calls!

"It’s action packed. It's full of wit and humour and all the things we love about a British thriller. But there are plenty of red herrings, and I think people are going to struggle to guess the killer… or killers! You’re in for a roller coaster ride – looking at one thing that actually means something else!.

"This has to be the most excited my mum’s been about me doing a job, ever! Agatha Christie thrillers are a British institution. So having a black hero felt incredibly fresh and exciting to me. I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of it. I'm a real fan of props and costume. But what blew my mind is that my grandfather travelled London from Nigeria – so this is how he would have lived and dressed!"

* David Jonsson previously played Gus Sackey in Industry and has also starred in Rye Lane, Deep State and Endeavour.

Penelope Wilton as Miss Pinkerton

Penelope Wilton is playing Miss Pinkerton, who knows a serial killer is roaming free. 

Penelope says: "Miss Pinkerton is a very sharp character, who suspects there’s a mass murderer on the loose! We find her taking the train to Scotland Yard because she doesn’t think the local police would believe an elderly spinster like her! Miss Pinkerton lays out the entire plot of the story for Fitzwilliam and from then on it's for him to unravel.

"I haven't actually inhabited the world of the 1950s before. So it's been fun, and the costumes are wonderful. In fact, the dress I wear on the train as Miss Pinkerton is an original from that period!

"It's a wonderful whodunit. And it has a lot of humour in it, but a great deal of menace as well. I think audiences will find it engaging!

"It’s a very good script, and up-to-date – not in period, but in attitude, while still having all the things that Agatha Christie is well known for. There are also enormous emotions are going on. And they really are enormous – of love, of envy, of all sorts of things!"

* Penelope has had an illustrious career, starring in Downton Abbey, After Life, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Ever Decreasing Circles and Talking Heads. She’s also starred in Iris, Calendar Girls, Doctor Who and Brief Encounters. 

Who else is starring in Murder Is Easy? 

As with many Agatha Christie TV adpatations, Murder Is Easy also has a large ensemble cast. Douglas Henshall (Shetland) is Major Horton.

Morfydd Clark (Lord of the Rings, Saint Maud) is playing Bridget, Sinead Matthews (Hullraisers, The Crown) is Miss Waynflete, Tom Riley (The Nevers, Ill Behaviour) is Lord Whitfield and Douglas Henshall (Shetland, In Plain Sight) is Major Horton. 

Ghosts’ Mathew Baynton stars as Dr Thomas, Mark Bonnar (World on Fire, Guilt) is Reverend Humbleby, Nimra Bucha (Polite Society, Ms Marvel) is Mrs Humbleby, Tamzin Outhwaite (The Tower, Ridley Road, EastEnders) plays Mrs Pierce, Jon Pointing (Smothered, Big Boys, Plebs) is Rivers and newcomer Phoebe Licorish is Rose.

Who's Who in Murder Is Easy — the characters by the actors who play them

Here's a full rundown of the major characters in Murder Is Easy...

Luke Fitzwilliam 
(David Jonsson)
His life takes a very different turn after meeting Miss Pinkerton, and he finds himself in quaint Wychwood under Ashe, with a sense of obligation solve the murders. ‘Out of a certain moral compass he’s forced into action, following Miss Pinkerton’s trail to catch the murderer!’ says David.

Miss Pinkerton
(Penelope Wilton)
She’s convinced there’s a serial killer on the loose. But she, too, succumbs to murder. ‘There isn’t a lot of time… this killer is going to kill again!’ says Penelope. 

Lord Whitfield
(Tom Riley)
The millionaire plans to build a new town next to the village. But his money-making scheme has ruffled feathers. ‘He’s enjoying the spoils of his riches,’ says Tom. ‘He believes everything that comes to him is exactly what he deserves!’

Bridget Conway
(Morfydd Clark) 
Lord Whitfield’s secretary-turned-fiancée finds herself helping Fitzwilliam investigate the mysterious deaths. ‘She’s very clever,’ says Morfydd. ‘She’s got an ability to talk to everybody and decipher what they’re really saying!’

Miss Waynflete
(Sinéad Matthews)
An upstanding community member, Miss Waynflete curates Lord Whitfield’s private book collection. ‘She’s an incredibly helpful, respectable person, and everybody looks to her for wisdom,’ says Sinéad. ‘But this series has some brilliant twists and turns!’

Major Horton
(Douglas Henshall)
The affable military man is well known in Wychwood for his devotion to his pet bulldogs. ‘I know my late mum would have been very happy with me doing an Agatha Christie because she was a huge fan!’ says Douglas. 

Dr Thomas
(Mathew Baynton) 
The respected doctor’s life is upended when Fitzwilliam arrives with questions! ‘He’s a man with a certain position in the community, which he very much enjoys. And the arrival of Fitzwilliam puts a spanner in the works!’ says Mathew. 

Reverend Humbleby 
(Mark Bonnar)
Village vicar Reverend Humbleby has become frustrated by Lord Whitfield’s vanity project for a new town. ‘There was a lot of banter on set!’ says Mark. ‘It's got the most delightful, hilarious, brilliant bunch of actors – and some really grisly deaths!

Mrs Humbleby
(Nimra Bucha)
Reverend Humbleby’s Indian wife stands out in rural 1950s England as the only person of colour living in Wychwood. ‘You keep thinking, what is she doing in this English village?’ says Nimra. ‘But then you find out!’

Mrs Pierce 
(Tamzin Outhwaite) 
The cleaner and barmaid is a village fixture. So can she give clues to the killer’s identity? ‘She’s got her fingers in lots of pies, and she doesn’t mince her words!’ says Tamzin. ‘I love that I'll be able to sit down with my children at Christmas and watch this!’

Rivers 
(Jon Pointing)
Lord Whitfield’s chauffeur initially challenges Fitzwilliam’s motives. But does he know more than he’s letting on?

Behind the scenes, locations and more on Murder Is Easy

Murder Is Easy is filming in Scotland during 2023. The mystery drama is made by Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited, and is a co-commission between the BBC and BritBox International. 

The author’s great-grandson, James Prichard, who is executive producer for Agatha Christie Limited, says, “Once again my great-grandmother’s stories have attracted some amazing talent. 

"It is so exciting to see this group of actors embark on the re-telling of this great story. The concept of evil lurking in the quintessentially English village is a familiar trope, but what exactly it is that makes murder easy remains to be revealed.” 

The murder mystery is adapted by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, directed by Meenu Gaur and produced by Karen Kelly. The casting directors are Karen Lindsay-Stewart and Emily Jacobs. Executive producers are Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited, James Gandhi and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, Danielle Scott-Haughton for the BBC, and Reemah Sakaan and Stephen Nye for BritBox International.

James Gandhi, executive producer for Mammoth Screen, says: “Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre’s amazing adaptation of Murder is Easy digs into the divides at the heart of post-war English society, and we feel so lucky that the village of Wychwood is going to be brought to life by a dream cast. With Meenu Gaur at the directing helm and David Jonsson playing the lead, this promises to be a thrilling ride!”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “With an intriguing central mystery and a fantastic creative team behind the camera, it’s no surprise that this new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit has attracted a who’s who of UK acting talent to bring Murder is Easy to the screen. BBC viewers are in for a treat that will keep them guessing to the very end.”

Reemah Sakaan, CEO BritBox International, says: “With the combination of such a stellar cast, and source material that’s second to none, Murder Is Easy is set to be a huge draw for our international markets, and a great addition to BritBox’s collection of much-loved Christie classics. We are delighted to partner again with Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited to adapt another gripping Christie title, over a year on from our successful launch of Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, as part of our further three project deal, working with such a world-class production team.”

After all that waiting, it's hard to believe the three Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials have already been and gone. But with that regeneration twist, the stage is set for the Doctor Who Christmas Special 2023 with our new lead star, Ncuti Gatwa.

These three adventures saw David Tennant's 14th Doctor crossing paths with a slew of villains, including an adorable creature who wasn't quite as friendly as they first appeared, plus some terrifying creatures from the edge of the universe and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris' flamboyant version of The Toymaker, who arrived in a sequence so fabulous it might well sneak onto our list of Doctor Who's 60 greatest moments...

We've got plenty of coverage from this landmark miniseries, including a full Doctor Who episode 1 recap for "The Star Beast" and a guide detailing how to watch the Doctor Who specials if you're not quite caught up just yet. But without further ado, here's everything you need to know about the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials...

Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials release date and how to watch

All three of the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials have now aired, but you can find them all as part of the Whoniverse section on BBC iPlayer. 

The first special arrived on Saturday, November 25 (just two days after the series' actual 60th anniversary on November 23) in a primetime slot at 6.30 pm. The rest of the series followed suit, releasing in the same timeslot on a weekly basis. 

Fans can also watch Tales of the TARDIS, a series reuniting former Doctor Who stars which is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

Are the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials on Disney Plus?

Yes! If you haven't heard already, Doctor Who's got a new home outside of the UK. 

Thanks to a partnership between Disney Branded Television and the BBC, Disney Plus has become the new streaming home for Doctor Who in the US and around the world, and this also started with the 60th-anniversary specials.

If you're looking to time travel back to some of the Doctor's earlier adventures, past seasons of Doctor Who are still available to stream on Max, whilst the classic series is available on BritBox (and now iPlayer in the UK). 

How many Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials are there?

The sci-fi show's big anniversary was marked by three special episodes. The titles are below, and you can find the official posters from each episode below, too.

• Special One: The Star Beast
• Special Two: Wild Blue Yonder
• Special Three: The Giggle

In an Empire interview, Tennant teased that these episodes felt 'like the band getting back together for one last hurrah.', adding: "I was surprised when I saw what that first script was based on, then I read the second script, which is unlike any Doctor Who episode ever. These new specials are Russell off the leash.”

Is there a Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials trailer?

There were plenty of trailers released for the specials. Below, you can find the latest one:

A trailer for the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials also aired ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Grand Final earlier in the year. In it, we see the Doctor, Donna and Yasmin Finney's Rose confronted by all manner of creatures, and learn the episode titles for our three specials. Check it out below:

We were treated to a new trailer on Christmas Day, and it gave us a much better look at what to expect from the new series. Everything seemingly hinges on Donna Noble, and her not remembering who the Doctor was, as she's at great risk. As you'd expect, there's plenty of running and monsters, and our first look at Neil Patrick Harris' mystery villain in action, too!

Our first look at the forthcoming Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials came at the end of Jodie's final adventure. Check it out:

Which Doctors returned?

The biggest news surrounding the miniseries was that David Tennant and Catherine Tate were making a comeback to the Whoniverse after their tenure early in new Who.  

David wasn't playing his Tenth Doctor self, but a new version of the character who just so happened to take his familiar form. By all accounts, David was thrilled to be back in the driving seat of Doctor Who. 

Talking about the regeneration twist, David called his return a "treat" and said: "What a lovely, lovely thing to get to revisit. It was such a wonderful, happy, significant time in my life... to be able to revisit that and get another shot, it was a total joy from start to finish!"

In July 2023, the BBC teased the 14th Doctor's newly revamped sonic screwdriver in a slick teaser that took us up close and personal with his new device. 

Doctor Who's executive producer, Phil Collinson, all but confirmed that the 60th anniversary specials wouldn't be a multi-Doctor story, which was mostly true (not counting the climactic bi-generation conclusion to the saga!)

Speaking to SFX, Collinson talked about honoring the legacy of the show. While he shared how the new episodes were 'a massive celebration' of the show's past, he was keen to point out that they're also 'forward-looking' and not necessarily doing what's come before. 

"It's all definitely about wanting to look forward", he said, "but as I think Russell does so brilliantly, it's not looking forward without forgetting where you came from. Because you just can't with this show.

"He flies around in a blue box, and, like I say, the enemy they face is someone who goes right back to almost the genesis of the show - so it's definitely there. It's just not multi-Doctors. I love multi-Doctor shows. But we don't need to do it, it's been done." 

Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor also made an appearance in the specials. After The Toymaker shot The Doctor with a laser, he started regenerating. He then asked two of his companion to help "pull" the other Doctor out in a process known as bigeneration. Together, the Doctors then defeated the Toymaker in a climactic game... of catch.

Ncuti's Doctor was compassionate and caring, and even got to send the 14th Doctor off to relax in his own TARDIS, and we'll be seeing more of him when he takes center-stage in this year's festive special, ahead of his first full series, Doctor Who season 14. 

When he was first revealed as the Doctor, Ncuti said: "There aren't quite the words to describe how I'm feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care".

"Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show", he added.. 

Who else was in the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials cast?

A big casting reveal was the addition of Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney as Rose. Before "The Star Beast" revealed Rose Noble was Donna's daughter (and had inherited part of her mother's Human-Time Lord Metacrisis abilities).

Prior to that reveal, Russell T. Davies teased: "Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose? You'll find out in 2023, but it's an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set. We all fell in love with her in Heartstopper, one of those shows which changes the world - and now Yasmin can change the Whoniverse!" 

In one of his final appearances, the late Bernard Cribbins reprised his beloved role as Wilfred Mott, Donna's grandfather, along with Jacqueline King and Karl Collins as Donna's mother and husband. Jemma Redgrave is back as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.

Miriam Margoyles was also part of the cast. She voiced The Meep, a creature adapted from "The Star Beast" comic strip, and Ruth Madeley was on board as Shirley Anne Bingham, a member of UNIT.

In addition, Jemma Redgrave reprised the role of Kate Stewart, plus Bonnie Langford reprised the role of ex-companion, Melanie Bush.

Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials episode guide and plot

For the longest time, we had precious little info about the plots of these three specials. 

The only official info we had to go off ahead of the series' release came in the form of a short logline, but that only really offered up info that we already knew: that the Doctor's regenerated into a familiar face, and that Donna remembers him, even though the 10th Doctor wiped her mind over a decade ago to save her life. 

It read: "The Doctor finds himself with an old face and something is very wrong. How can Donna remember him and why has he got one of his old faces back?" 

After "The Power of the Doctor" aired, Russell said: "If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way! The path to Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun! And how is it connected to the return of the wonderful Donna Noble? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose!”

Now that the three episodes have been and gone, we've included the episode summaries below:

• The Star Beast: "The Doctor lands in London to find an old friend, a new enemy and aliens wreaking havoc."
• Wild Blue Yonder: "An out-of-control TARDIS takes the Doctor and Donna to the furthest edge of adventure."
• The Giggle: "The Doctor is powerless as the terrifying Toymaker holds the human race in his grasp."

Who's the big bad?

On June 13, Russell T. Davies posted a photo on Instagram welcoming Neil Patrick Harris sporting some spectacles and wearing some old-fashioned clothes and an apron. 

As was speculated, we eventually learned he was playing The Toymaker, a classic villain from Doctor Who's past. The Toymaker is an extremely powerful being who uses his powers to trap people in childish games for his amusement. Those who are trapped are forced to compete for their freedom, though the games are always rigged in the Toymaker’s favor. He cropped up in the third special.

From the sounds of things, this version of the Toymaker will make quite an impression when he arrives in the show. In a chat with Total Film, Davies talked up Harris' performance.

"You need an extraordinary actor to match David at the height of his powers", Davies said. "Bear in mind that this is David's TARDIS, his Doctor, his name in the titles. It's not easy for guest stars to come into that. 

"You need that size, you need that experience, you need that skill to match him, otherwise you're in danger that the Doctor will tapdance all around you. That's what Neil brings... a vast performance that is properly terrifying." 

The Toymaker wasn't the only villain, though! The 14th Doctor was also tangled up with two other foes in the specials: one was "The Meep", a less-than-friendly alien life form, and then there were the "not-things" that copied the Doctor and Donna's visages at the edge of the universe.

Listen to the new Doctor Who theme song!

The BBC revealed a revamped version of the Doctor Who theme tune ahead of the specials' arrival in November 2023. It's a great update on the theme that feels even more energetic, though it has still preserved that classic Who melody underneath.

What else did the BBC do to celebrate Doctor Who's 60th anniversary?

Although the three specials were the main event, the BBC prepared a slew of other projects to help mark the big Doctor Who anniversary.

On November 1, 2023, BBC iPlayer welcomed the single biggest collection of Whovian content, with over 800 episodes of Doctor Who programming arriving on the platform for viewers to enjoy before (and after!) the new specials aired. 

It was all part of the new dedicated "Whoniverse" iPlayer hub, which now plays host to stories from both the classic and modern eras of the main show, spin-offs, and even every episode of the behind-the-scenes show, Doctor Who: Confidential. 

And if you enjoy stepping behind the scenes, you'll be pleased to know that a new access-all-areas show has launched, too. Hosted by Steffan Powell (BBC Gaming Correspondent), Doctor Who: Unleashed takes viewers on a journey to show how the long-running sci-fi is put together. 

Unleashed features exclusive interviews with the stars in front of and behind the camera, and began airing immediately after the first special on November 25. 

At the start of November, we were also treated to Tales of the TARDIS, a new six-part series that reunited Doctor Who duos and invited them to step back into character, reflecting on their adventures across space and time. 

Of the show, Davies said: "Tales of the TARDIS is one of the greatest delights of my career - to see old Doctors and companions reunited, still fighting the good fight, is a perfect way to celebrate the Doctor’s 60th birthday!"

As if that wasn't enough, the BBC has also unveiled an artistic colorisation of "The Daleks", the second serial from the First Doctor's adventures. As you'd expect, the particular adventure introduced one of the Doctor's deadliest foes after the First Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions explored a mysterious metal city. 

The revamped version was woven together into one 75-minute blockbuster, with a new score from Mark Ayres. It aired on BBC Four on Doctor Who's actual 60th anniversary, November 23, and is available on BBC iPlayer, along with the original black-and-white serial.

The 14th Doctor also cropped up in a short scene that was part of Children in Need 2023, and they are due to read "The Way Back Home" by Oliver Jeffers as a CBeebies Bedtime Story on Friday, November 24. 

Douglas Is Cancelled is a newsroom comedy-drama written by Doctor Who and Sherlock showrunner Steven Moffat now available on ITVX and ITV1 in the UK.

It stars Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville as a respected newsreader Douglas Bellowes who is on the brink of being cancelled despite being at the top of his game. But when he makes an ill-advised comment at a wedding, it seems his privileged life is about to come crashing down around him. Former Doctor Who star Karen Gillan plays Douglas’ younger, sharper and more savvy co-anchor Madeline, who he may or may not be able to trust. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the ITV series Douglas Is Cancelled…

Douglas Is Cancelled release date

Douglas Is Cancelled is a four-part series that will premiere on ITV1 from Thursday June 27 2024 at 9pm with episodes running weekly at the same time. All four episodes will also be available from that date on ITVX. 

We'll update if there's a US streaming channel and release date.

How to watch Douglas is Cancelled online: stream Steven Moffat drama from anywhere

Is there a trailer for Douglas Is Cancelled? 

Yes a trailer for Douglas Is Cancelled has been released which shows how the story plays out and how a tweet about about wedding joke goes viral and ruins a career. Take a look at Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan in action below..

Douglas is Cancelled plot

Douglas (Hugh Bonneville) is a middle-aged, and greying, news anchor who is living his best life as a national treasure. But then he makes an ill-advised joke at his cousin’s wedding and a fellow guest threatens to expose him on social media. What follows is an online storm and Douglas’ actions are scrutinized and blown out of all proportion. How will he escape the controversy, and will he fall prey to "cancel culture"’? And can he really rely on his media-aware co-presenter Madeline (Karen Gillan) to help him out?  

Douglas is Cancelled cast — Hugh Bonneville on playing newsreader Douglas Bellowes

Leading the cast as Douglas Bellowes is Hugh Bonnevile who is insecure, a little grumpy, and inclined to tell funny stories about people when he’s had a few. This gets him into trouble...

Hugh says: "Douglas has been the anchor of a popular news programme for many years. A man at ease in the corridors of, if not power, then at least of a television network. He’s married to Sheila, the Editor of a tabloid newspaper. They have one teenage child, Claudia, who currently identifies as female.

"Douglas is a perfectly decent, pleasant man who's doing a good job and is well liked for what he does. He thinks so, too. Even when, a couple of years ago, he welcomed a younger colleague, Madeline, onto the sofa beside him he felt secure, safe in the knowledge that the warm, avuncular relationship he had with his protegée wasn’t a threat to his own position. Is he smug? I wouldn’t say so. Unguardedly confident, definitely. But, just as the dinosaurs didn’t know they were a dying breed, Douglas is blithely unaware that the next generation is smarter, more streetwise and capable of sheer ruthlessness when the chips are down. Or when wrongs have not been righted. That’s his blind spot. His fatal flaw. That’s what’s at the heart of his character. Hubris."

* Hugh Bonneville is best known for his roles as Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, in Downton Abbey and Henry Brown in the Paddington films. He’s also starred in I Came By, The Gold, W1A and Tipping the Velvet. He played Roald Dahl in the film To Olivia and narrates the series The Greatest Auction. 

Karen Gillan on playing Madeline Crow

In Douglas Is Cancelled, Karen Gillan plays Douglas’ savvy news co-host Madeline Crow. 

Karen says: "Where to even begin with Madeline? She started off as a very determined young girl who set her sights on getting into this particular industry. She was a huge fan of Douglas. She grew up watching him. She would rather watch him on TV than cartoons - she was a strange child like that! And then, she just dedicated her whole life to pursuing that. She went through a few experiences along the way that shaped her, and she quickly realised that she needed to harden up a little bit. She needed to put a guard up as she was exposed to more and more things within the industry. And so, when we meet her at the start of this drama, you just can't quite get a read on her. The idea is that you don't quite know what her motivations are, and you don't quite know whether you can trust her or not. That was really fun to play."

* Karen Gillan has previously played the Doctor’s companion Amy Pond in Doctor Who, during the Steven Moffat era, and stars as Nebula in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Love and Thunder. Karen has also starred in Selfie, Jumanji, The Call of the Wild and Late Bloomers. 

Ben Miles on playing Toby Patterson

Ben Miles plays show producer Toby Pattterson. Ben says: "The Toby we meet at the beginning is a man who is in a position of great authority. He is a successful media producer, with a team of people that he rules over. While he's not necessarily a tyrant, he's a successful male in the world of media, with all that brings. He is pretty ruthless. He knows what he wants. He's quite cynical, sharp, and intelligent. He is very self-assured. But he believes he's younger and hipper than he actually is. He thinks he can still charm the young women in the office. But in reality, they think he's a bit of a joke. We’ve all met those people, right?

"There's a clash of egos with Douglas. There’s a dynamic between them where Douglas is the alpha, he's the star of the show. But Toby knows that he is the puppet master. He believes that he is in fact the alpha, but he still has to manage Douglas's foibles because Douglas is the star. Over after-hours drinks in a hotel bar, Toby would tell you that he is the mastermind behind this and that Douglas would have been no one were it not for his talent. So there's that battle going on between them. Toby thinks Douglas is actually a bit of an idiot, and vice versa. But they tolerate each other because they need each other in order to maintain their standing in the industry. While they need each other, they don't particularly like each other. But they know there's a mutual dependence. So they play the game of being great mates."

* Ben Miles is currently starring in Napoleon and has also starred in The Crown, The Capture, Andor, Dracula, Coupling and Hijack.

Who else is starring in Douglas Is Cancelled? 

Douglas Is Cancelled also stars Alex Kingston (A Discovery of Witches, Doctor Who) as Douglas's wife Sheila Bellows, while Madeleine Power is their daughter Claudia Bellowes. 

Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso, The Martian) is playing socila media expert Morgan who works for the news show and Simon Russell Beale (Thor: Love and Thunder) is playing Bently Cassock who is more old school in the world of media.. 

Behind the scenes and more on Douglas is Cancelled

Douglas Is Cancelled is being filmed in London in early 2024. The show has been created  by famous screenwriter and executive producer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Dracula, Sherlock) and is produced by leading independent production company Hartswood Films (Sherlock, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Dracula, Coupling) in association with SkyShowtime and BBC Studios Distribution. 

Steven Moffat will executive produce the series alongside his wife and fellow executive producer Sue Vertue (The Devil’s Hour, Inside Man, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Sherlock) on behalf of Hartswood Films. Ben Palmer (Urban Myths, Breeders, The Inbetweeners) is directing the series which is produced by Lawrence Till (Silent Witness, The Young Offenders, Shameless). 

Steven Moffat says: "I just sat down and wrote this — didn’t even tell anyone what I was doing. And now it’s all happening, thanks to the amazing Sue Vertue (renowned tv producer and in a rare moment of weakness, my wife). I can’t quite believe we’ve managed to get the mighty Hugh Bonneville involved as Douglas and that we’ve lured my old friend Karen Gillan back from Hollywood, to play Madeline. And like that’s not enough, we’ve got Ben Miles, Alex Kingston, Nick Mohammed and Simon Russell Beale. It’s the kind of cast that makes you terrified about stepping into the room."

If you've been hoping to sign up for one of the best streaming services or best live TV streaming services, then you might be worried about the cost, and that's where streaming deals step in.

Many streaming services offer deals or discounts, to tempt you into signing up by lowering the monthly (or, sometimes, annual) price. This lets you test their service and library so you can decide whether you want to subscribe for the long run.

Streaming services aren't the most expensive things you can buy, but subscribe to more than a handful and your monthly bill can end up being rather sizeable. That's why streaming deals are really handy, to help you save money while you test services.

To help you save your money, we've brought together a list of the best streaming deals that you should consider, and you can find it all below. Most of the streaming deals out there run for a limited amount of time, but some are permanent, and we've included both on the below list. Of course, if it runs out soon, we'll include a time limit on the entry too.

This list gets updated frequently to add new deals and remove expired ones, so keep checking back if nothing piques your interest.

For more on specific streaming services, check out our individual deals pages here, which go into more detail on free trials and bundles as well as discounts:

• Deals: Apple TV Plus | Disney Plus | Paramount Plus | Hulu | Peacock | ESPN Plus | Sky TV | Sling TV

Streaming service deals in the US

Non-Black Friday deals

Streaming service deals in the UK

Streaming deals FAQs

With all the Black Friday streaming deals out there, you're probably having a hard time choosing which of the deals to sign up for. Hulu, Max, Paramount Plus, Peacock and more video sites have all cut their prices for the annual sales event, which leads to the question: is there a Black Friday Prime Video deal too?

Amazon's Prime Video has the second-biggest number of subscribers after Netflix, partly because of its large range of TV shows and movies, and partly because membership is technically a perk of Amazon Prime membership, so everyone who has that subscription is technically a Prime Video subscriber!

So can you get a discount on Prime Video for Black Friday. Well, Amazon is giving us the odd answer of both yes and no. Let's dive into what that actually means.

• Will there be a Netflix Black Friday deal?

Is there currently a Black Friday Prime Video deal?

There's currently no deal on Amazon Prime or Prime Video membership, but you won't have to pay the usual monthly fees of $14.99 or £8.99 if you sign up now.

That's because there's a 30-day free trial to Prime, which includes Prime Video, so you can stream movies or TV shows for a month before the fees start.

Prime Video Black Friday deals

While Prime Video itself isn't cheaper during Black Friday, there is a fantastic Prime Video channel deal that can still help streaming fans save money.

Prime Video channels are optional add-ons to Prime Video, that unlock extra bundles of movies and TVs for an extra fee. Some share libraries with standalone streaming services, for example, there's a Paramount Plus channel and an MGM Plus one.

Usually they're a little on the pricey side, but for Prime Video they're not. They're 75% off for 2 months in the US, with the deal ending on Sunday, December 3, and 99p per month for 3 months in the UK with the discount ending Monday, December 27.

Here's the full list of reduced channels:

US

• AcornTV: $1.75 per month (British TV shows and movies)
• ALLBLK: $1.50 per month (African American-produced shows, docs, performances)
• AMC Plus:: $2.25 per month (AMC-produced shows)
• Britbox: $2.25 per month (British TV shows and movies)
• Cinemax: $2.50 per month (Warner Bros. shows and movies)
• Great American Pure Flix: $2 per month (faith-based movies and shows)
• Hallmark Movies Now: $1.50 per month (movies made by Hallmark)
• MGM Plus: $1.50 per month (MGM-produced TV shows)
• Motortrend : $1.25 per month (motoring shows)
• Noggin: $2 per month (Kids' programming)
• Paramount Plus with Showtime: $3 per month (Paramount-produced movies and shows)
• PBS Documentaries: $1 per month (PBS-produced documentaries)
• PBS Kids: $1.25 per month (Kids' programming)
• PBS Living: $0.75 per month (PBS-produced lifestyle content)
• PBS Masterpiece: $1.25 per month (PBS-produced prestige shows)
• Starz: $2.50 per month (Lionsgate-produced movies and shows)
• Up Faith & Family: $1.25 per month (faith-based programming)
• Vix Premium: $1.75 per month (Spanish-language programming)

UK

• Crime + Investigation Play (true crime documentaries)
• MGM (MGM-produced movies and shows)
• StudioCanal Presents (StudioCanal-distributed movies and shows)

Are there any other Amazon Black Friday deals?

Absolutely! There are thousands. If you need help finding inspiration of what to pick up, we've got some round-ups, or you can use our AI tool to search for deals on certain items.

• DVD Black Friday deals 
• Netflix Black Friday deals 
• Disney Black Friday deals 
• Harry Potter Black Friday deals 
• Star Wars Black Friday deals

The second episode of Shetland season 8 kicked off right where episode one left off, with Nowak still bleeding in the back of the car and Howell desperate to get help for his colleague. Unfortunately for poor Agnes, she's the first car they see driving towards them and soon she is being held at gunpoint until she lets Howell move Nowak into her Land Rover and take him back to her farmhouse. 

Meanwhile, Calder and Tosh are still at the ruins where Ellen's body was found at the end of the previous episode. 

Tosh says Ellen has pressure marks around her throat and that they look pretty uniform, but as forensics arrive there is something puzzling Calder — why didn't Cassidy's men just shoot her? She says strangulation is too personal for the likes of Howell, why didn’t they just shoot her like they shot Maura Watt? She also wonders if this is where Ellen died, or if her body was moved here... especially as it is miles from anywhere.

As a terrified Agnes is being forced to drive Howell and Novak back to her house, the police are on their way to break the news about Ellen's death to her family. 

Stella sees cars approaching the farm and tells Rory to go and see his gran. Tosh and Calder get out of their car and Stella asks what’s happened and Calder says they have found a body that they need her to formally identify, but that they believe to be Ellen. 

As Calder and Tosh explain that they think Ellen was murdered, a distraught Kieran says a couple of tourists turned up the previous day. Grace jumps in and says they weren't tourists, while Rory says they were looking for Ellen, the one with the gun said so. Kieran is shocked: "What gun, what are you talking about? You never said anything about a gun!" Calder asks what these men looked like and as Grace says one was black, English, the other white with a foreign accent, Calder knows exactly who she is talking about. 

• Shetland cast love wild swimming!

Back at Agnes's house, she is helping Howell carry Nowak indoors as he cries out in pain. She grabs some scissors and cuts open his blood-soaked t-shirt and sees that he has been shot in the stomach and says he needs the hospital or he will die. 

Howell is adamant that he's not going to a hospital and pulls the phone out of the wall as Agnes tries to call for an ambulance. Instead, Agnes gets a tea towel out of a drawer, telling Howell that Nowak will bleed out if he doesn’t get treatment. She puts the tea towel over the wound as Nowak screams. Desperate to not have another body on his hands, Howell goes back into the kitchen and makes a call to his boss, but it seems they have been forgotten. 

Cal soon finds himself in hot water when an eyewitness places his transit van near where Ellen's body was found. He is soon brought in for questioning and before Calder can stop him, he names her as his alibi for the night that Ellen was killed. Calder is left red-faced and is forced to explain to her colleagues that she and Cal are former flames and that it was a mistake dropping by his house the night before. 

The police search Cal's van as a precaution but they don't find anything of interest and he is let go — but it is clear that there is something that he is still hiding. 

Bobby is now on the warpath, demanding answers about what happened to Ellen. He goes to see the bus driver who threw her off the day before and he tells him that he feels awful and didn't realize who she was. The driver says she was hysterical, shouting the odds and saying that her bag had been stolen. The driver describes the lad who stole it, and Bobby calls someone who works at the wind farm. 

Later Bobby drags wind farm worker Gerry, bruised and beaten, out the back of his truck at the ferry depot and tells him he’s lucky he didn’t touch Ellen, and if he comes back here, he’s dead. Bobby sits in the van with the bag of cash.

Back at Agnes's farm, Nowak is barely alive, and Agnes pretends that she needs the toilet, but secretly goes into her bedroom and loads a shotgun she has hidden in a chest, she points it at Howell and tells him to drop his gun and tries to call the police and an ambulance. 

The 999 call alerts the police that something is going on at Agnes's house, but before they can get there they see her Land Rover racing away from the house, and they chase it down to a remote beach, where Nowak is dying on the floor and Howell is fleeing into the sea, where he is finally caught Calder and the rest of the team. 

As Howell is questioned at the station he remains tight-lipped about what happened, answering every question with 'no comment' until they ask about Ellen, and he finally reveals they didn't kill her, and the last time they saw her was when she jumped into the sea to escape them. 

So if Howell didn't kill Ellen, who did? 

With the police investigation into Ellen's murder now turned on its head, Calder says they need to look into her life before London, and Tosh agrees. They’ve commissioned her phone records and will look into her social media again, and soon it dawns on everyone that if Howell and Novak are ruled out, Calder probably doesn’t have a reason to be in Shetland anymore. 

But before Calder leaves, she heads to Alan and Amma's house for dinner, where they have an evening catching up and looking at family photos, but as she leaves, Amma has a sneaky cigarette, hiding in the garden because Alan thinks she has given up smoking. But as she gets in her taxi, Calder notices something familiar about the cigarette brand... realizing they are the same rare brand as the ones found in the house Ellen was hiding in during episode one. 

As the episode comes to an end, Tosh is with Cora who is doing a preliminary examination on Ellen's body. Cora says there is light bruising around her neck but no signs of the hemorrhaging she would expect to see with manual strangulation - so maybe she didn’t put up much of a fight? There’s also bruising on Ellen's thigh, along with a large cut, but Tosh is more concerned with a tattoo she has seen on Ellen's upper thigh... Cora says it looks homemade as Tosh stares at it with a horrible realization... because it looks like the same symbol found on the mysteriously slaughtered sheep they keep finding on the island. 

Does this mean Ellen's death is connected to whoever is killing the sheep? Could her murder be totally unrelated to Cassidy after all?

Shetland season 8 is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and BritBox, from November 29, in the US.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story will follow one of the most notorious murder cases in British criminal history and now we have the first picture (above) of Lucy Boynton as Ruth.

In 1955, 28-year-old Ruth Ellis was the last woman in the UK to be hanged for murder. Told over two parallel timelines, the series reveals hidden secrets about the case and shows what happened in the months before nightclub manager Ruth killed her abusive lover David Blakely and was later hanged by infamous hangman Albert Pierrepoint. The drama also stars Toby Jones as Ruth's solicitor John Bickford while Laurie Davidson is her victim David Blakely. Happy Valley and The Reckoning star Mark Stanley plays her lover Desmond Cussen. 

"Ruth Ellis’ story is a fascinating one," says Lucy Boynton. "Both she and this complex case have always evoked a strong reaction, and with Kelly’s (Des and Baptiste writer Kelly Jones) insightful scripts I'm looking forward to bringing a new perspective to both familiar audiences as well as those who are unaware of her mark on British history." 

Here's everything you need to know about A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (formerly called Ruth) coming to ITV1, ITVX plus BritBox…

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story release date

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is a four-part drama that will premiere in the US and Canada on BritBox from February 17 2025. The drama will also be shown weekly in the UK on ITV1 from Wednesday March 5 2025 at 9pm. It will also be available to stream as a box set on ITVX from March 5 2025. We'll update on a US channel and air date. ITV Studios is handling international distribution.

Is there a trailer for A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story?

Yes ITV has released the trailer for A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story which you can look at below...

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story plot

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is a drama follows events in the 1950s with Ruth Ellis enjoying a glamorous life as a young nightclub manager. It delves into the abusive relationship she had with racing driver David Blakely and how it later led her to gun him down in cold blood outside The Magdala pub in Hampstead, London. 

It shows Ruth's arrest and trial, right up to her execution in Holloway Prison on July 13 1955. It also brings to life the 11th-hour campaign to save her as Ruth and her supporters battle an unforgiving Establishment determined to see her hang. We also see Ruth’s solicitor realise how much violence she endured at the hands of Blakely and uncover details that could have saved her had they been aired in court. 

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story — Lucy Boynton interview on playing Ruth

Lucy Boynton plays the ill-fated executed murderess Ruth Ellis. She told us: "The fascination comes from not understanding how this could happen. Ruth was 28 and David 25 and there was an emotive response from people. Some felt she should be hanged because they worried other women would want to stand up for themselves. But others knew this was barbaric.

"We've never had the full picture. I hope it’s a catalyst for conversation, because this is an in-depth look at Ruth, not as hero or villain, just as a person. Dance with a Stranger [the 1985 film, which starred Miranda Richardson and focused on the lead-up to the shooting] was different. In this, the story continues on and also explores Ruth's childhood and relationships.

"She’s contradictory, electric and an absolute force, who’s gone after a big, bright life for herself. But she also has a lack of self-pity and takes ownership of what she’s done. She thinks she can handle everything.

"In the 50s, there was a return to traditionalism and the family unit. But the way Ruth behaved was a rebellion against the way a woman was told she ought to behave. It's about gender and class politics. She was made an example of, because of everything she represented. And the public's impression of her was dictated by the media representation.

:Filming at the real Magdala pub in Hampstead was wild. But the set design is also a portal back to the 1950s, while our costume designer Emma Fryer was specific about the clothes and fabrics because Ruth was particular about the way she presented herself – she was constantly striving to get it right. Getting to live as close to that world as I could has been a gift."

Lucy starred in the Agatha Christie adaptation Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? and played Freddie Mercury’s girlfriend Mary Austin in Bohemian Rhapsody. She's also appeared in Sing Street, Murder on the Orient Express, The Ipcress File, Miss Potter and Chevalier, in which she played French queen Marie Antoinette. She played Proust Barbie in the Barbie movie. 

Who else is starring in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story?

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story has a great cast, including Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) who plays Ruth's low-budget but intelligent solicitor John Bickford while Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) is her defence barrister Melford Stevenson QC. Mary and George star Laurie Davidson is her abusive partner David Blakely while Mark Stanley (The Reckoning, Happy Valley) is her lover Desmond Cussen who becomes embroiled in her toxic love triangle.

Joe Armstrong (Gentleman Jack) is the detective in charge of her case and Juliet Stevenson (Wolf) is Dr Charity Taylor, governess of Holloway Prison. Arthur Darvill (Broadchurch) is Ruth’s divorce lawyer Victor Mishcon, who fought for her reprieve. Nigel Havers also stars.

Toby Jones says: ‘Ruth Ellis is notorious as the last woman to be hanged, but few people know the circumstances, and the speed of the case [the trial took two days, the jury delivered their verdict after 14 minutes, and Ruth was executed 22 days later] was startling.  Bickford tries to get Ruth to use the domestic violence she'd suffered as a mitigating factor but she won't, until it’s too late. They opt for a different defence but Bickford ends up compromised. He starts off as a good man but he's tortured that he wasn't able to save her. There was footage of Bickford in the 1970s and he’s still haunted by the case and what he hadn't been able to do."

Here's a full lowdown on the main characters below....

Ruth Ellis
(Lucy Boynton)
The nightclub manager becomes embroiled in a traumatic liaison that leads to her execution.

David Blakely 
(Laurie Davidson)
Ruth’s lover is abusive towards her and the relationship ends in tragedy for them both.

John Bickford
(Toby Jones)
The clever solicitor looks for any means possible to prevent Ruth from going to the gallows.

Desmond Cussen
(Mark Stanley)
The besotted ex-RAF pilot wants to take care of Ruth, but did he help her in the lead-up to murder?

Melford Stevenson QC
(Toby Stephens)
Ruth’s barrister has a tough job on his hands as he attempts to defend her in court.

Justice Havers
(Nigel Havers)
The judge, Nigel’s real-life grandfather, presides over Ruth’s trial and sentences her to death.

Victor Mischon
(Arthur Darvill)
The suave lawyer arrives in episode 3 has dealt with Ruth’s divorce and now tries to help secure her reprieve.

DCI Leslie Davis
(Joe Armstrong)
Following Ruth’s confession, the shrewd detective wants justice to be served.

Dr Charity Taylor
(Juliet Stevenson)
Holloway Prison’s Governor oversees Ruth’s incarceration and her hanging.

Carole Findlater
(Bessie Carter)
David’s friend and her husband Anthony (Ed Sayer) want to make Ruth pay for killing him.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story episode guide

Here's a brief guide to the four episodes of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story...

Episode 1
Ambitious single mother Ruth (Lucy Boynton), who’s running a London nightclub, meets upper-crust racing driver David (Laurie Davidson). Despite Desmond Cussen (Mark Stanley), one of the club’s customers, also being interested in her, Ruth embarks on a passionate romance with David. But he becomes violent and their toxic relationship ends with her shooting him dead outside a Hampstead pub.
As Ruth is put on trial for murder, her solicitor John Bickford (Toby Jones) is desperate to show the abuse she underwent could be a mitigating factor in her defence. Meanwhile, he also tries to uncover more about the complex love triangle involving her, David and Desmond, as he’s suspicious about Desmond’s potential involvement in the crime. But Ruth seems reluctant to speak out and rescue herself from the gallows…

Episode 2
Solicitor John Bickford faces an uphill battle to prevent Ruth Ellis from being executed, as she goes on trial for murder after shooting dead her abusive lover, David Blakely. Bickford (Toby Jones) hopes they can demonstrate that it was manslaughter, not murder, if they reveal David’s violence towards Ruth (Lucy Boynton), and her miscarriage, which may have been caused by his beatings. And the lawyer is also keen to prove that Ruth’s devoted admirer Desmond Cussen (Mark Stanley) gave her the gun and that she was coerced. Defence barrister Melford Stevenson QC (Toby Stephens), however, believes their only course of action is to show that Ruth was provoked to kill David (Laurie Davidson), as she was hysterical and jealous due to his infidelities. 

Episode 3
Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill arrives as shrewd lawyer Victor Mischon, who has guided Ruth Ellis (Lucy Boynton) through her divorce from her husband. But when Ruth later faces execution for murdering lover David Blakely (Laurie Davidson), and her solicitor John Bickford (Toby Jones) fails to win her a reprieve from the Home Secretary, she appoints Victor to represent her instead. With only days before Ruth heads to the gallows, Victor visits Holloway Prison to help her make a last-ditch bid to save her life…

Episode 4
Check back for an update on the series finale

The real Ruth Ellis story — what really happened in the 1950s

On Easter Sunday in 1955, glamorous model, nightclub manager and mother-of-two Ruth Ellis fired six shots outside The Magdala pub in Hampstead, killing her abusive lover David Blakely, an upper class racing driver who wanted to end their relationship. Her trial for his murder took place just three months later and despite the overwhelming evidence that Blakely was physically abusive to her, Ruth was sentenced to death. Attempts to halt the execution failed and she became the last woman in England to be hanged. Her death played a major part in the movement to abolish the death penalty although this didn’t happen until a decade later.   

Behind the scenes and more on A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story

The series is produced by critically acclaimed producers, Silverprint Pictures, part of ITV Studios, whose portfolio includes Shetland, Vera and Flesh and Blood. The drama was commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones. Kelly Jones has written all four scripts and Angie Daniell (World On Fire, Vigil, The Long Call) is producing the series. Lee Haven Jones (Passenger, Feast, The Long Call) directs all four episodes.

Three Little Birds is the brainchild of legendary British comedian Sir Lenny Henry who has written and produced this ITV1 drama.  The period piece is a moving celebration of immigration as it follows three women who are brave enough to board a cruise ship and set sail for a new life in the ‘mother country’, namely the UK. 

“It’s based on my mum’s story of coming to Britain in 1957,” says writer and creator Sir Lenny Henry. “It’s about the trials and tribulations of young black women making a new life in the UK.” 

This historical drama stars The Nevers actress Rochelle Neil and former EastEnders star Saffron Coomber as gregarious sisters Leah and Chantrelle, who convince their bible-loving acquaintance Hosanna (Yazmin Belo) to join them on their adventure. 

The series shows how the reality doesn’t quite live up to the promises they were made, but they are determined to overcome the obstacles thrown in their way and build a new life in Britain. 

So here’s everything you need to know about Three Little Birds on ITV1…

Three Little Birds release date

Three Little Birds is a six-part series that premieres on ITV1 on Sunday October 22 at 8pm, as part of the Black History month celebrations for 2023. Episodes run weekly at the same time on ITV1 and will be available for streaming as a box set on ITVX in the UK and BritBox in the US.

Is there a trailer for Three Little Birds?

Yes a trailer for Three Little Birds has been released by ITV which you can watch below.. And below that you can also watch the Three Little Birds cast plus writer/producer Lenny Henry on the red carpet at the recent BAFTA TV Awards...

Three Little Birds plot 

Set in 1957, post-Windrush, the series follows Jamaican sisters Leah (Rochelle Neil) and Chantrelle (Saffron Coomber) who are lured to the UK in search of new beginnings. 

They follow their older brother Aston (played by Javone Prince), who has already made the move, and who asks them to bring him a potential wife from back home. 

The sisters convince their virtuous friend Hosanna (Yazmin Belo) to join them on their journey but they all soon discover their new life doesn’t quite fit the promise of rock and roll, swing, Hollywood starlets and fabulous fashion they were expecting. 

And it’s not just the British weather they have to contend with. Over time we learn the shocking truths about the lives they left behind and see how they fiercely tackle the obstacles of integration to build themselves a new home in Britain. 

Three Little Birds cast — Rochelle Neil on playing Leah Whittaker

In Three Little Birds, Rochelle Neil plays the party-loving Leah. 

Rochelle says: "I describe Leah as a woman on a mission – not only to bring her children over from Jamaica, but also to rediscover herself. She’s been in an abusive marriage for many years, so when her brother, Aston, writes to ask her to find him a wife and bring her over, she starts her plan to escape. Coming to Britain is a shock for Leah. She hasn’t experienced that level of cold and damp compared to Jamaica, but she’s also stunned by the hostilities. Our story is set nearly 10 years after the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush in Britain [in 1948, which carried hundreds of passengers from Caribbean countries to help rebuild the country after World War Two], but lots of people really didn’t want the Caribbean community to come over and settle. In our cast and crew, it feels like everyone has a link to this story. It’s very special on set – this series has been cooked with a lot of love."

* Rochelle Neil previously starred in The Nevers, Guilt, Das Boot and Episodes. 

Saffron Coomber on playing Chantrelle Brahms

Saffron Coomber plays Chantrelle, Leah’s sister, in Three Little Birds. 

Saffron says: "Chantrelle wants to be a star – she comes to the UK because there is a film studio in Borehamwood! She’s a movie buff, dreaming of something bigger than what she thinks Jamaica can give her. She believes England is where she will make her fortune. Leah and Chantrelle are very close. They’ve had their ups and downs, like all sisters, but there is a deep love at the core of it. Leah has always protected her; she’s the ultimate big sister. Chantrelle relishes that, to an extent, but she also wants her freedom.

"When I got the scripts, I had never read something so unflinching about how difficult it was for people, pre- and post-Windrush, to build a life here. It’s written with such love and pride, for the hardship as well as the high points. Every time I see Lenny on set, I think, “Oh God, I’ve got to be good!” But he’s such a lovely man. When you get the thumbs-up from him, it makes you feel great!"

* Saffron Coomber previously played Alexa in EastEnders and Lauren Earnshaw in Holby City. She’s also starred in Tracy Beaker Returns, Flack, Small Axe and The Deceived.

Yazmin Belo as Hosanna Drake

Newcomer Yazmin Belo plays the religious Hosanna in Three Little Birds. 

Yazmin says: "Hosanna is a pastor’s daughter, and her faith rules the entirety of her decisions. Her whole ethos is to serve others, but she has lost herself because of that. So I think coming to England is a massive step in putting herself first without really realising. She isn’t actually anticipating staying in England as long as she does – love isn’t necessarily on Hosanna’s agenda, but she does end up falling for Aston. There is a beautiful bond that the three women share. Blood doesn’t tie them all together, but there is so much more that does. Hosanna used to get a lot of affirmation and reassurance from her father, and now Leah and Chantrelle do that.

"Sir Lenny Henry has always been a massive icon to me; he’s a national treasure! I think the first time we met, it was just 20 minutes of non-stop laughter. He actually plays my father in this, Remuel Drake, and we have some major scenes together. He’s awesome!"

* Previously Yasmin Belo starred in the short films What Just Happened and Mother’s Cry (a visual poem). 

Who else is starring in Three Little Birds? 

Three Little Birds also stars Javone Prince (Cruella, Yesterday) who playsAston who is Leah and Chantrelle’s brother. 

Also look out for Bobby Gordon (Hollyoaks) as the sisters’ new factory-worker colleague Shelton, and Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Beth Hayes (Mr Selfridge, Black Mirror) as Chantrelle’s employers Mr and Mrs Wantage. Also look out for former Corrie star Denise Black as a neighbour.

Sir Lenny Henry will also be appearing in Three Little Birds.

Three Little Birds episode guide

Here's our brief episode guide for Three Little Birds which we'll update as the series progresses...

Episode 1
In 1957, sisters Leah and Chantrelle, along with their friend Hosanna as they move to ‘the mother country’ hoping for new opportunities, but no sooner have they stepped off the ship than they face resistance and prejudice. Leah and Chantrelle’s brother Aston, played by Dodger star Javone Prince, has arranged for them all to stop overnight in London’s Notting Hill on their way to the Midlands, but when their accommodation turns into a house party, tensions between Leah and Chantrelle are pushed to breaking point.

Episode 2
Leah and Hosanna are met with hostility as they settle in Dudley and the two question if they can build a life in the town when tensions rise.

Episodes 3 to 6
We'll be adding soon so do check back.

Sir Lenny Henry on creating Three Little Birds

On creating and writing Three Little Birds, Sir Lenny Henry told us: "My mum [Winifred, who moved to the UK from Jamaica in 1957] talked about what it was like for Black people coming to Britain. These were everybody’s stories and deserved to be memorialised. There’s something fairy-tale about crossing the water to a new country where challenges await. I cried all the way through writing. I’m so proud of it. That we’ve shared the post-war experience of rebuilding Britain and earned our place here. This is a show about all of us. Overcoming opposition was a Herculean task, and my hat goes off to my forefathers. The battle is ongoing.Lenny Henry found fame as a comedian and impressionist when he appeared on New Faces in the 1970s. He fronted The Lenny Henry Show in 1984 and was the most influential black British comedian at the time."

* Sir Lenny Henry and screenwriter Richard Curtis founded Comic Relief in 1985 and Lenny appeared in numerous TV shows, including Tiswas, Chef! and The Magicians. He’s since starred in several films, dramas and movies, including Broadchurch, Alive and Kicking, Hope and Glory, My Name is Leon, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Sandman. He also appeared on The Masked Singer UK 2021 as ‘The Blob’. 

Lenny is a prolific TV writer too, having co-written Anansi Boys as well as Danny and the Human Zoo, Conversations with my Wife and Neverwhere.

Behind the scenes, locations and more about Three Little Birds

Three Little Birds was written and produced by Sir Lenny Henry, alongside guest writers Carol Russell and Avril Russell. The six-parter, produced by Tiger Aspect, was filmed in The Midlands, UK, in 2022 and early 2023. The drama was commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, working alongside Nana Hughes who is overseeing production for ITV.

The series is co-produced by BritBox International, with Diederick Santer as Executive Producer. Banijay Rights handle international distribution. Charles McDougall, Yero Timi Biu and Darcia Martin will direct two episodes each and Sir Lenny Henry, Lucy Bedford, Kate Crowe, Russell T Davies, Charles McDougall and Angela Ferreira serve as Executive Producers with Stella Nwimo producing.

Comedy romance The Lovers on Sky Atlantic will show us that just when you think two people are utterly wrong for one another, they might actually be the perfect match. 

Starring Genius actor Johnny Flynn and The Fall star Roisin Gallagher, the six-part series arriving in 2023 follows sweary Belfast supermarket worker Janet as she finds herself falling for suave, egotistical political broadcaster Seamus. Can you really find your soulmate in the most unlikely of places? It seems you can...

Here’s everything you need to know about Sky Atlantic series The Lovers...

The Lovers release date

The Lovers is a six-part series that will launch on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Thursday September 7 at 9pm, so it's a big part of Sky's 2023 Autumn TV. The entire series will also be available on Sky Box Sets from that date. We'll update on any US or international air dates and which US channel The Lovers will arrive on.

Is there a trailer for The Lovers? 

Yes there's a trailer for The Lovers and the romance between the mismatched screen pair looks fun! Do take a look below...

The Lovers plot

The Lovers is a six-parter that follows Belfast shop worker Janet (Roisin Gallagher) who doesn’t care much about anything including her own life. So when a handsome political broadcaster Seamus (Johnny Flynn) climbs into her back yard she really shouldn’t give him much thought. After all he’s selfish, seems to have the perfect life in London, and has hooked up with a celebrity girlfriend Frankie (Alice Eve). The pair are poles apart yet for some reason they seem to be inexplicably drawn to one another, showing that sometimes love can show up in entirely the wrong place. 

The Lovers cast — Roisin Gallagher on playing Janet

In The Lovers, Roisin Gallagher plays the potty-mouthed and hilarious Janet. 

Roisin reveals: "Janet jumped off the script. I instantly cared about her. I think people will recognise Janet, if not her cheeky, hard edge then they’ll recognise her strength and grit.

"Janet’s had a hard paper round, as we say in Belfast. She has had some bad experiences, but she’s trying to hang in there. I find her very courageous. She has an epic sense of humour that she uses to cover up her many insecurities, because she’s very lost when we first meet her. 

"Like all good love stories, Janet and Seamus' relationship is full of tension, obstacles, desire, thrill, expectation... disappointment. It’s beautiful to see these two creatures connect with each other despite having nothing in common and very different views on the world.

"Johnny Flynn is great craic! He is so much fun to work with, and is a very kind and generous actor. I feel that playing opposite Johnny makes me better at what I do as he asks great questions that can expand the potential of a scene. I’m learning from him every day. I don’t know if he realises that, but I do!"

* Earlier this year Roisin Gallagher starred in the series The Dry playing Shiv, an alcoholic who returns from London to family life in Dublin. She’s also had roles in The Fall, Come Home, Made In Belfast and Doctors.

Johnny Flynn on playing Seamus in The Lovers

Johnny Flynn, who plays political broadcaster Seamus in The Lovers, reveals: "At the beginning of the story, Seamus and Janet are so entrenched in their exterior identities. But through waves of discovery, they get to find their true selves. David always talks about them being two aspects of his own psyche battling it out, which I really love. 

"Seamus is a semi-famous current affairs journalist who has just been given his first TV show. At first, he comes across as arrogant, but it’s actually a facility for hiding trauma – and I’ve enjoyed revealing this as the story goes on. It’s fun leaning into those slightly Alan Partridge facets of him and then taking them away and going, ‘Oh, he’s actually sweet’.

"Life is messy and Seamus isn’t perfect. He doesn’t deal with his situation in the best way. It’s good storytelling because it doesn’t let Seamus off the hook. You should feel angry with him and hurt for Frankie, but it shows that not everybody is perfect for each other. The story is told in a responsible way because it emphasises that Frankie hasn’t done anything wrong."

* Johnny Flynn has previously starred as William Dobbin in the mini series Vanity Fair and played a young Albert Einstein in Genius. He’s also had roles in Les Miserables, Lovesick, Operation Mincemeat and The Dig. He also played David Bowie in the film Stardust. Johnny will voice Bob Cratchit in the upcoming Netflix film Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. He'll also be starring as Dickie Greenleaf in the Sky Atlantic series Ripley in 2023.

Who else is starring in The Lovers?

The Lovers also stars Game of Thrones and Holding actor Conleth Hill, playing Janet’s boss at the supermarket called Philip, and Belgravia actress Alice Eve as the celebrity girlfriend of Seamus.

Conleth says: "David Ireland is a terrific writer. I’ve directed two of his plays and two short films that he wrote, but I’d never actually acted in anything that he had written. There’s a lovely neurosis about his writing. It’s probably very tortuous for him, but it’s very funny for us. 

"Philip is the manager of the supermarket where Janet works and she’s not an ideal employee. She’s very lippy, but he’s very patient and understanding with her. He’s fond of her and thinks there’s more to her than meets the eye. He reckons underneath it all she’s worth helping, whereas he’d happily show the other staff the door. 

"The facilities and experience of the TV crews in Northern Ireland is second to none – from Game of Thrones to Line of Duty and Blue Lights. Belfast is unique as well, because you can be in the city centre and within 15 minutes you’re in the middle of nowhere, in the woods or the mountains. It’s unreal."

Behind the scenes, locations and more on The Lovers

The Lovers is produced by Drama Republic, in association with Sky Studios. It's written by award winning playwright David Ireland (Cyprus Avenue, Ulster American) and directed by BAFTA winning Justin Martin (Together, Prima Facie),

Roanna Benn and Rebecca de Souza, Executive Producers for Drama Republic, say: “We're so excited that David’s beautifully crafted, romantic and subversive story is being brought to life by such a brilliant team and cast - with the hugely talented Justin Martin at the helm.”

Locations manager Scott Houston says: "I’ve lived in East Belfast for 15 years. So I knew the area quite well. We do a lot of locations here. We double for London, we double for Birmingham, we double for all these other places. So it’s great when we get something that’s written about Belfast, which sometimes gets shown in a poor light. It’s good to see a script like this that puts a bit of life and a bit of imagination back into the city."

* Guides to more great series on Sky are below...

The Lazaraus Project
Django
A Town Called Malice
Funny Woman
The Midwich Cuckoos
The Fear Index

Since the release of its second batch of episodes in late July, The Witcher season 3 has held firm on the top spot of Netflix UK's most-watched TV shows list... or it did, at least, but now a surprise pick has usurped it.

Now, sitting above Henry Cavill's last hurrah as Geralt as well as other Netflix Originals like The Lincoln Lawyer season 2, Manifest season 4, Too Hot to Handle, Sweet Magnolias season 3 and How to Become a Cult Leader is a British crime drama from Channel 5.

This is Witness Number 3, a four-part crime show from 2022 that originally aired on Channel 5 in the UK (and it's available to stream on Hulu in the US). 

The current most-watched show on Netflix UK at the time of writing is Witness Number 3, a Channel 5 four-parter from 2022 that was recently added to the streamer (it's on Hulu in the US).

Witness Number 3 tells the story of a single mum and hairdresser named Jodie (played by Bodyguard's  Nina Toussaint-White) who witnesses a killing and finds herself targeted by everyone from corrupt police to a gang in order to stop her acting as a witness. She has to find out who to trust in the police to survive her ordeal.

As with many other shows from Channel 5, it's a grim and gritty police procedural, and it also stars Ruaridh Mollica, Sion Daniel Young and Clare Dunne.

Though it's considered one of the best Channel 5 dramas of recent years, Witness Number 3 is still a surprise hit given that the vast majority of Netflix's most-watched shows are its own Originals.

The Witcher season 3 has been dominating the streamer's rankings since its release, despite its divisive response amongst critics and fans, so it's a surprise that this crime drama has toppled it. The show isn't even new to streaming, being available to watch on ITVX, Britbox and Paramount Plus prior to its Netflix release.

The TV rankings on Netflix are often different from the movies list, where we often see non-Netflix productions do particularly well, which makes this a particular victory for Channel 5. At the time of writing only five of the top 10 movies are by Netflix, while seven of the TV shows are (WN3 is joined by Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday at #8 and Young Sheldon at #9).

There's no point in us giving you a recommendation on this show or not; your mind was likely made up when we described it as "grim and gritty", and if that's your kind of show then you should follow suit with many other Netflix subscribers and check it out.

The best way to find something to watch on TV is to sign up for one of the best streaming services, and in 2025 that's the only way of keeping up with current topics. But which streaming srevices are worth your money? Well, thankfully we've put one together for you to wrap up the options.

With our team of armchair experts , we've put in the hours of watching the countless hours of content on your behalf (you're so welcome) and have come up with the definitive list of what we believe are the best value for money. With every streaming service having their ups and downs dependent on the year, this is the most up to date version of how to navigate your way around the streamers.

For those looking for the best streaming deals, look no further than this article which details in exhaustive detail our thoughts on these specific deals. Looking for a way to stream cable channels online? We've also got another guide for that we'd recommend: our best live TV streaming services.

A little disclaimer here: this is all obviously subjective and all streaming services have their pros and cons and one person's idea of good content is not universal. We've tried to take all this into account, including shining a light on some of the more niche streamers, so without further ado here is our guide to the best streaming services of 2025...

Best streaming services

The best point-of-call for all streaming fans is Prime Video, the streaming service created and owned by Amazon. And the best part is that you might already have access thanks to it being a part of Amazon Prime, which many people use for next-day shopping, free audio or ebooks, free video games, music streaming or anything else.

Prime Video has a huge library of movies and TV shows from various producers, be them modern indie titles, older classics, comedy box-sets or new original productions. While the streamer isn't as prolific as some others for making its own series, it makes up for that in big-budget shows like Reacher, The Rings of Power and Citadel, and it's not as reliant on constant new releases.

But there's more to like. Since Amazon owns MGM, Prime Video is the streaming home of most MGM movies and shows. The streaming has a unique X-Ray feature which tells you who's on screen when you pause (and other details like what music's playing and any relevant behind-the-scenes features for the scene. And the streamer offers Prime Video Channels, which are bonus streaming services (that generally cost the same as the standalone subscription) that add more videos to your library. Several streamers listed below are available as Prime Video Channels.

Recently, Prime Video has gotten into the sports arena, as the exclusive home for the NFL's Thursday Night Football games in the US and offering certain Premier League games and tennis matches in the US.

While we've rated Prime Video as our best streaming service, it's not perfect, as on PC its interface is very confusing. Since it's baked into Amazon's website on computers, it can be incredibly hard to search for videos or channels or get your head around the service itself. Get your head around the layout though, and you'll find a streaming service that's fantastic.

Here's all you need to know about Prime Video.

It's the biggest name in the streaming game, but not necessarily the best: Netflix is, for better or worse, what most people think of when they think of streaming services.

And that's not without reason, as Netflix has an absolutely huge library. It has plenty of third-party older films and the odd indie, but what fills up its shelves is an enormous amount of Netflix Originals. And that is its blessing and its curse.

Netflix sometimes puts out big-hitting must-watch originals like Adolescence, American Primeval and Gold & Greed, but those only make up a small portion of its release output, and a lot of what it releases each week is... not so worth watching, let's put it like that. I'm often stumped trying to find something good to watch on the streamer.

However it does mean that Netflix has slowly amassed enough popular originals to watch: Stranger Things, Squid Game, Bridgerton, The Witcher, The Crown, Sex Education, the list goes on. Netflix is also great for documentaries, particularly true crime ones. You can't have missed the talk around Tiger King, but it's not alone with Tinder Swindler, Fyre, Wild Wild Country, My Octopus Teacher and more all gripping fans. It seems like every other week that there's another Netflix doc doing the rounds.

Netflix has been hit or miss with film buffs. For every The Irishman, Roma or Glass Onion, numerous Netflix originals fail to make a dent as often as the shows. The selection of other movies is still solid, but with many studios making their own streaming services, gone are the days when Netflix has the best selection of films of all the platforms.

Netflix is one of the more affordable streaming services, but that's for the basic plan with ads, 480p video streaming and only a single stream at once. The Ad-free Standard, plan costs a little more, the Standard tier is even pricier and offers two screens and 1080p playback, and you'll have to buy the Premium tier for 4K HDR video and four screens of playing at once.

Here's all you need to know about Netflix

If you like Disney, Marvel or Star Wars movies and TV... well, you probably already have a Disney Plus subscription. But if not, it probably should be your go-to streaming service.

Disney Plus is great for everything Disney — does the name give that away? — with the entire catalog of Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and other Disney content, both originals and older shows. There's also the content from Disney's sub-brands, including Fox (all of The Simpsons), National Geographic and Searchlight Pictures.

If you're not a fan of Disney stuff though, you might find this streaming service's offerings a little bland. There's not too many shows or movies outside of Disney's core beats, and most of the originals are Star Wars or Marvel ones.

Lots of those exclusives can be a little divisive though. While the first few (The Mandalorian or Wandavision) were well-received, more recent ones like The Book of Boba Fett or She-Hulk are struggling to receive the same accolades.

Don't take our word for it though — whether or not you think it's for you, Disney is pretty good at offering discounts for its streaming service. There are frequent price cuts, including on Black Friday and Disney Plus day, but it's also easy to get bundles for the service with other services, phone plans, TV purchases and more.

One last note, if you're in the UK, Disney Plus also is the home for many Hulu originals/exclusive series, like Only Murders in the Building and The Old Man. That means it's actually better in the UK, since you don't need a separate service to see those.

Here's all you need to buy about Disney Plus

We don't need to give you buying advice here; there are so many Apple TV Plus free trials that it's very easy for you to check out Apple's homemade and Original-only streaming service on your own.

While Apple TV Plus has perhaps the shallowest library of any streaming service, what it does have is great: Ted Lasso is its standout hit but Foundation, The Morning Show, Severance, For All Mankind, Slow Horses, Prehistoric Planet and more such shows have dedicated fans. There are a few popular movies too, like Oscar-winners CODA and Wolfwalkers, though Apple TV Plus just isn't as great for feature films.

The service is having a great 2023 too, hence it climbing the rankings on this list, with near-weekly new releases. And later in the year Martin Scorsese's upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon and Ridley Scott's Napoleon will certainly make the service a must-buy.

It's hard to discuss Apple TV Plus without mentioning the company's other products. That's because purchasing Apple devices frequently lands you membership to TV Plus, so iFans can easily trial the service for free. In fact, that's the best audience, because on some other platforms (like PCs or PlayStations), the Apple TV Plus app is surprisingly buggy.

Here's all you need to know about Apple TV Plus

Max — formerly HBO Max, now a little more confusing to Google — has seen a transformation recently. In May 2023 it had a little makeover which changed the name, added in Discovery Plus' library and rolled out a premium 4K streaming tier, giving fans more value for money. However this followed several months of HBO exclusives dropping like flies from the service, notably Westworld and Raised by Wolves.

Generally, though, Max has most of Warner Bros. Discovery's catalog, including shows and movies for adults and kids made by HBO, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. That includes many new movie releases and hit TV shows.

There are plenty of big-profile Max originals coming from those various channels. The Last of Us is a big one, but it's in good company, with House of the Dragon, Hacks, Our Flag Means Death and countless Scooby-Doo and DC Comics shows impressing various audiences. Max is also one of the better US streaming services for movies, so you likely won't be disappointed by the collection available.

Sadly, Max is only available in limited regions, though the company says it's working to expand that. In unsupported regions, you can find some of its originals and shows on other streaming services (on Sky TV in the UK, for example).

There are three tiers of Max: one is more affordable, but it comes with ads and doesn't let you download shows or movies to view offline. You'll have to pay more for that privilege and to avoid advertising, and even more for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, four screens of simultaneous streaming and 4K on select titles.

Here's all you need to know about Max.

Hulu is currently ranked lower on our list due to recent price increases, which added $1 and $2 to the price of ad-enabled and ad-free monthly prices respectively and $10 to the cost of the annual subscription. It used to be one of the cheapest streaming services and while it still costs less than some rivals, it's no longer the bargain it was.

Hulu is a great streaming service for TV shows — its library includes classics like Community, Schitt's Creek and Lost, as well as hit originals like The Handmaid's Tale, Under the Banner of Heaven, Only Murders in the Building and Normal People.

There's also an option for streaming live TV, which bumps up the price but replaces the need for a cable subscription.

Sure, Hulu isn't as great for movies, with a selection that's a little patchy, but a few popular originals in this area like Prey suggest that the streaming service could be bringing a bigger emphasis to this area soon.

Hulu has the same issue as HBO Max regarding its two tiers — the more affordable one means you still have ads in your shows and you also can't download anything to watch online. You'll be paying $14.99 per month for that feature and to avoid ads.

Here's all you need to know about Hulu and Hulu with Live TV

If you live in the UK, the best streaming service for you is ITVX, the service owned by broadcaster ITV, which replaced the ITV Hub in late 2022.

While 'standard' ITVX is useful, offering live TV and a decent library, it's ITVX Premium we're talking about. This is a £5.99-per-month expanded tier which is definitely worth the money, and not just for the fact it drops the ads from ITVX free.

ITVX doesn't just have a huge library of ITV-produced and international shows and movies, but it also includes every video from services Britbox and StudioCanal Presents, meaning you've got plenty of British and European content to enjoy too.

Sure, ITVX won't scratch your itch if you love Hollywood movies, or new international shows, with Prime Video and Netflix your best bets for that kind of content. It's great for British fare, with StudioCanal offering a little bit of Euro video too.

And sure, the interface isn't exactly fantastic, but you're not having to deal with NOW levels of inconvenience to stream shows.

Here's all you need to know about ITVX

As one of the newer streaming services, Paramount Plus enjoyed some glitz and glamor for a while, but it's struggled to find a huge audience. Several recent changes compound this issue: not only has it seen a price rise in the US (as long as a merger with Showtime) but it lost a few original shows, including one, Queen of the Universe, that debuted less than two weeks prior!

Still, there's a lot to like in Paramount Plus. If you like the Star Trek franchise, Mission Impossible (and its countless sequels) or South Park, you'll find that Paramount Plus has hours of content for you. There are also a select few originals like Halo, The Good Fight and The Offer. It also has offshots of Yellowstone, including 1883, 1923 and Tulsa King, all of which are part of the Taylor Sheridan universe.

But Paramount Plus' library is certainly smaller than its rivals, so it's probably not the kind of service you'll subscribe to for more than a couple of months at a time — at least not yet.

Balancing this out is the fact it's pretty cheap. It's one of the most affordable streaming services you can subscribe to right now, especially with many of its competitors bumping up their prices.

The low price gets you an ad-enabled experience though, wit the ad-free experience much pricier, something that'll may put you off from upgrading.

As a fledgling streaming service, Paramount Plus is one we're hoping to hear a lot more from in the future, especially with Paramount's own library of classics. So going forward, you may see it at a higher spot in this list.

Here's all you need to know about Paramount Plus

In theory Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service for its own content, is a great buy.

It's not too expensive, especially if you opt for the free tier (which is ad-enabled and has a limited library, but doesn't cost you). It's got a wide selection of new movies, with the Fast and Furious franchise, The Northman and Jurassic World: Dominion included. It also offers a nice big library of live sports, including English Premiere League soccer and Sunday Night Football.

However, there's not much about it that makes it the best choice for people. It doesn't have any must-watch originals, like Disney Plus or Netflix do, and while its price is low, it's also not significantly cheaper than its rivals, especially if you opt for the $9.99-per-month Premium Plus version that drops the ads.

So if you've tested lots of the streaming services ranked higher and want something new, it's definitely worth checking out. But it's not going to become your one-stop shop for entertainment.

In the UK, Peacock is a tricky one — it's only available to Sky TV subscribers and while it's free, it doesn't have quite the same library as in the US. So it's basically just a perk of another service, rather than one in itself.

Here's everything you need to know about Peacock

If you like British shows, then Britbox is your one-stop shop for most of them worth talking about — at least if you live in the US. In the UK, you can no longer sign up to Britbox, with the website pointing you to ITVX Premium instead (as that includes the entire Britbox library).

From heritage costume dramas to police procedurals and zany comedies, Britbox has a huge selection of shows and movies from the British Isles. Well, it does in the US, but with ITV and BBC having their own services in the UK, not as many shows are on Britbox there.

For history buffs, this is a great streaming service, as not only does it have shows and movies about history, but it has quite a few historical and classic ones too. And, Britbox is slowly growing its collection of originals.

Compared to something like Netflix, Britbox could be considered quite a niche option, and that's why it's lower on this list, but it still does have a diverse enough collection of videos to appeal to lots of people.

Here's all you need to know about Britbox

Best sports streaming services

Alternative streaming services

As well as the big streaming services above, there are some alternative streaming services that might interest you.

These are more niche ones, offering specific content only, which is why we haven't listed them with the "big dogs" above — it wouldn't be fair to compare a generalist service to a bespoke one.

But if you're looking for something particular, these are all worth considering.

Best streaming service FAQs

If you're a fan of Morse but you want mor(s)e, then Endeavour is the show for you, as the long-running show acts as a prequel to the classic British detective show Inspector Morse, but it's finally coming to an end.

Endeavour season 9 marks the end of the road for Morse, with the three-episode season wrapping up the character's prequel story with some unsolved past cases and a new murder.

While the show was released earlier in 2023 in the UK, it's finally going to be available to watch in the US come Sunday, June 18.

Naturally, fans of this popular TV detective will want to catch his finale and see how the prequel leads into the original British 1980s show. So here's how to watch Endeavour season 9. 

How to watch Endeavour season 9 in the US

You can finally watch Endeavour's ninth and final season in the US from Sunday, June 18 at 8 pm ET/PT, when the show's first episode airs on PBS — the second and third episodes land weekly at the same time. Morse fans might also like to know that a documentary about the series called Morse & The Last Endeavour runs on PBS two hours prior to the first episode's airing, which is 6 pm ET/PT.

If you don't already have access to PBS, you'll find that there's only actually one live TV streaming service that offers it: YouTube TV, which costs $72.99 per month, is the only cord-cutting service that includes PBS in its channel line-up.

There's no word on Endeavour season 9's video-on-demand release just yet, but every single previous episode is available on Prime Video so that'd be a good bet, as only four seasons are available on PBS' online player.

How to watch Endeavour season 9 in the UK

If you're UK-based, you've actually been able to see Endeavour season 9 for a while now, because the show aired on ITV from late February until mid-March 2023, and now you can stream it on ITVX along with the previous eight seasons.

ITVX is free to license fee payers but for £5.99 monthly or £59.99 annually you can get ITVX Premium which lets you skip ads and stream from the Britbox catalog too.

How to watch Endeavour season 9 everywhere else

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Endeavour season 9, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows like Endeavour season 9 or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

Staged season 3 is coming to BBC One and iPlayer, having previously debuted on BritBox last year.

The lockdown comedy series was a huge success when it first aired in 2020. The series sees David Tennant and Michael Sheen (playing themselves), who were due to star in a production of Six Characters In Search Of An Author in the West End before lockdown hit.

What follows is them attempting to rehearse the scene via Zoom, but there's plenty of chaos along the way and the hilarious, bitesize episodes became a huge hit during lockdown and beyond.

This season, it's the first time they're not in lockdown and they now have to navigate a falling out with their director, leading to some misadventures along the way.

Staged season 3 release date

The six-episode season launched on BritBox last November. It can now be watched with a premium ITVX subscription.

But if you'd rather watch it when it airs, the first two episodes air back to back from 10:40 pm on BBC One on Wednesday, June 14. 

Staged season 3 plot

The official plot for Staged season 3 is: "Things have returned to normal for David and Michael. They have moved on from lockdown and returned to their everyday working life, while Simon's career remains stagnant. His phone does ring, but only to ask if he can get David and Michael back together, and they've made it clear they want nothing more to do with him.

"But Christmas is approaching, and Simon hopes the warmth of the season might soften them to the idea of a radio version of a Dickens classic... but that's as far as Simon's plan has got!"

Staged season 3 cast

David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Georgia Tennant, Anna Lundberg and director Simon Evans are all back for Staged season 3, where they play fictionalized versions of themselves.

But they're not alone and there are plenty of great guest stars in this season including Neil Gaiman, Jim Broadbent, and Olivia Colman, with returning roles for Ben Schwartz, Adrian Lester, and Nina Sosanya.

Is there a trailer?

Sadly there's no official trailer for Staged season 3 so you'll just have to tune in and see what happens!

One of the best streaming services in the UK is ITVX, as it's a free, ad-supported service that lets you watch loads of TV shows, movies and documentaries that ITV has produced or distributed.

Lots of people choose to pay a little bit of money for ITVX Premium, as this paid service lets you skip ads, offers lots of exclusive content in its library and, as a great perk, lets you stream the entire catalogue of rival service BritBox.

• Sign up to ITVX Premium here

Britbox is the ultimate streaming service for everything British-themed, with content from ITV as well as the BBC, Channels 4 and 5 and more, with lots of exclusive shows too. It's very popular for anglophiles in the US and abroad. 

Having the entire Britbox library available on ITVX Premium is a nice little perk, but it has led to some confusion for subscribers (both subscribers to Britbox and ITVX) due to the overlap between the services.

So to clean up any confusion, and help you decide which to stream, we've written this explainer to clear up some frequently asked questions.