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Stranger Things to The Celebrity Traitors: The best TV shows of 2025 in the UK
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It’s been an epic year for TV – so if you don’t want to miss out on the best new shows, get stuck into our essential round-up of the highlights of 2025
By Charlotte Briggs + Chris Miller, Feature Writers
- Published
- 17 December 2025
Let’s face it: long gone are the days when we complained there was nothing to watch on TV. In 2025, top-quality shows have come thick and fast, from the instant sensations like The Celebrity Traitors and Adolescence to the return of much-loved favourites such as Trigger Point and Stranger Things. With bundles of thrilling, tear-jerking, laugh-out-loud and heartwarming shows to choose from, we’ve picked the crème de la crème of 2025’s most unmissable series you can watch right now. Don’t have a TV package? Explore our amazing TV deals.
Whether you’re a fan of these shows already, are looking for something new or simply want to join in at the next office debrief about big-hitting TV, we guarantee you’ll find something to entertain you here. So get comfortable on your sofa and let us guide you to your new binge watch. Right this way…
Stranger Things
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Stream season 5 part 1 in Apps > Netflix. Season 5 parts 2-3 coming soon. Seasons 1-4 available now
What it is: The Hawkins gang gear up for the final assault on the Upside Down as they try to put a stop to Vecna and his twisted desires, in Netflix’s biggest ever show.
Number of episodes: 4 x 65-79 minutes
Why you should stream it: There was an awful lot of hype – really an awful lot – but the long-awaited new episodes lived up to it, and then some. From the terrifying Demogorgon attacks on Hawkins’ children to the epic battle in the military base, Stranger Things delivered edge-of-the-seat thrills but still found time for quieter moments, as when two troubled characters discussed their situation while trapped in the recesses of Vecna’s mind. A new hero arose, as Will (Noah Schnapp) found himself in the thick of the action, and of course, Eleven’s bond with Hopper made us emotional all over again. And this final season is only halfway through…
Prisoner 951
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Stream all episodes in Apps > BBC iPlayer
What it is: The story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s six-year ordeal in an Iranian prison and her husband Richard’s desperate attempt to secure her freedom.
Number of episodes: 4 x 59-69 minutes
Why you should stream it: Writer Stephen Butchard (who’s also behind this year’s This City Is Ours – see below) turns one family’s nightmare into an absorbing and sobering drama that turns its gaze unflinchingly on the British government and its failure to help one of its own citizens in their hour of need. The frustration and anger engendered by these dire events are evident on the screen. And yet it never loses sight of the people caught in this storm and the strength of their relationship: Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) is excellent, while German-Iranian actor Narges Rashidi, a newcomer to British TV, is a revelation. Essential viewing.
Malice
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Stream all episodes in Apps > Prime Video
What it is: When a wealthy family employs a smart young tutor, they have no idea as to his real identity or what they’ve allowed into their lives.
Number of episodes: 6 x 46-53 minutes
Why you should stream it: Following in the footsteps of Prime Video’s other globetrotting 2025 British thriller The Assassin, Malice is another show about conniving people doing terrible things in absolutely gorgeous locations. The X Files icon David Duchovny gets his best role in years as the sarcastic, entitled Jamie, while British comic Jack Whitehall is impressive in his first major dramatic role – after watching him crack amiable jokes for years, it’s unsettling to see him as a villain. Prime is cornering the market on glossy, gripping, compulsively watchable dramas this year (see also The Girlfriend, below) and this is another excellent addition to the genre.
The Marvellous Miniature Workshop
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Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer
What it is: Sara Cox and a team of experts help bring cherished memories back to life via the medium of tiny, exquisite models.
Number of episodes: 8 x 30 minutes
Why you should stream it: We love The Repair Shop, of course we do, but after 15 series, we don’t know how many more teddy bears we need to see. Thank goodness for this new show, which is here to fill that “comforting TV” space in our hearts. The skill demonstrated by the makers is astounding, and the human stories behind it are genuinely moving. And Sara Cox – who’s having a real moment in the public consciousness after her heartwarming Children In Need challenge – is the perfect host: warm, witty and always interested in people. We can’t get enough of her or this charming show.
Death By Lightning
Stream all episodes in Apps > Netflix
What it is: An ambitious crank attempts to insert his name in the history books by assassinating US President James Garfield in this unusual historical drama.
Number of episodes: 4 x 47-66 minutes
Why you should stream it: The story of James Giteau – self-promoter, debtor, liar, murderer – is a real rollercoaster, from his small-time scams to his time in a free love commune to his defining act, when he finally achieves the notoriety he wants. But at what cost? It’s a delirious period drama with a terrific cast including Michael Shannon (Knives Out) as the President alongside Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, Betty Gilpin and Ben Miles. But the main reason to watch is Matthew Macfadyen’s ebullient, magnetic performance as Giteau, demonstrating why he’s one of the best actors on TV in general but especially when playing an abrasive, ineffectual loser.
Trespasses
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Stream all episodes in Apps > Channel 4
What it is: During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, a young Catholic schoolteacher falls for an older Protestant barrister and is pulled between duty and desire.
Number of episodes: 4 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: The forbidden love across a social divide is given a new twist in this intimate drama that also provides plenty of insight into what life was like for ordinary Northern Irish people during the dark days of the 1970s. Lola Petticrew – who also appeared in Say Nothing, the fact-based Disney+ drama about the same period – shows why her star is on the rise as the conflicted Cushla, with Tom Cullen (The Gold) similarly excellent as her lover Michael. Arguably the stand-out, though, is the magnificent Gillian Anderson, returning to Northern Ireland almost a decade on from The Fall, as Cushla’s fiery mother Gina.
Trigger Point
Stream series 3 in Apps > ITVX. Series 1-2 also available
What it is: Vicky McClure is back as bomb disposal expert Lana Washington to face a new threat from a twisted bomber who’s thirsty for revenge.
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: The inherent tension in bomb disposal makes it the ideal subject for a TV drama – and when you add Vicky McClure’s talent for stoicism coupled with just the tiniest flicker of vulnerability, it’s a perfect mix. There’s no let-up for McClure’s Wash, who’s forced to deal with the trauma caused by previous bombing campaigns while addressing the latest one, or for the viewer, who by now knows that no character is safe. And Jason Flemyng, as a man with an all-too-relatable rancour towards the corporate greed that affected his life, was a fantastic addition to the cast. We’d like many more series of this show, please and thank you.
The Forsytes
Stream series 1 in Apps > 5
What it is: The lives, loves, trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian family, whose generations are torn between tradition and self-sacrifice versus personal happiness.
Number of episodes: 6 x 70-75 minutes
Why you should stream it: Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield has done it again, reviving a period piece that was popular in the 1970s and giving it a new lease of life, with superb writing that brings the characters into sharp focus. As well as a sumptuously created and beautifully shot historical drama, it’s startlingly modern, with themes of wealth, inequality and oppressed people – particularly women – fighting against society’s established norms. And the cast is to die for, with Jack Davenport, Stephen Moyer and Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson all showcasing their prodigious talent and charisma, while Doctor Who’s Millie Gibson is particularly memorable as the disruptive Irene and Francesca Annis steals every scene as the sharp-tongued Ann Forsyte.
Sean Combs: The Reckoning
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Stream all episodes in Apps > Netflix
What it is: A four-part documentary detailing the crimes and demise of one of the music industry’s most successful producers and artists.
Number of episodes: 4 x 55-68 minutes
Why you should stream it: Given his fame and the nature of the crimes he was convicted of, we half-feared this docuseries might be salacious or even sympathetic to Sean Combs (aka Puff Daddy, P Diddy et al). But it’s a clear-eyed and forensic examination of his rise and fall, bringing into focus his earlier misdeeds – including a fatal crush at a sports event Combs organised and a shooting incident – as well as his court-proved offences. The point that he was protected by wealth and power is obvious, as is the bravery of the women and men who came forward to accuse him. Grimly fascinating stuff.
Landman
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Stream season 2 episodes 1-5 now on Paramount+. New episodes weekly on Sundays. Season 1 also available
What it is: Billy Bob Thornton returns as a ruthless fixer in this high-stakes drama set in the Texas oil industry.
Number of episodes: 10 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: The dramatic ending of season 1 set up the new season perfectly, with Tommy Norris (Thornton) thrust reluctantly into a new role, and Demi Moore’s Cami Miller coming to the fore (a very welcome development for fans of her late-career resurgence). The stakes are now higher than ever with the involvement of cartel boss Gallino (Andy Garcia), and every decision comes loaded with potential rewards as well as risk. But Thornton remains the main reason to watch this show: there’s nothing like watching Tommy striding around firing off laser-targeted zingers at anyone who crosses his path, from industry execs to criminals to his ex-wife and kids.
The Girlfriend
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Stream all episodes in Apps > Prime Video
What it is: A twisty British psychological thriller about a mother’s reaction to the arrival of her adult son’s mysterious new lover.
Number of episodes: 6 x 45-52 minutes
Why you should stream it: It’s the terrible question that plagues many people’s darkest thoughts: what if a new addition to the family turned out to be… evil?!? Laura (Robin Wright, House Of Cards) at first welcomes her son’s girlfriend Cherry (Olivia Cooke, Bates Motel), but soon catches her lying and decides to investigate the newcomer’s background. (Relatable!) When Laura doesn’t like what she finds, tensions rise as the situation turns from uncomfortable to explosive. Unpredictable, lurid, glamorous and utterly absorbing, it was a fixture in Prime Video’s top 10 for months – don’t miss one of the year’s most talked-about dramas.
Frauds
Stream all episodes in Apps > ITVX
What it is: Con artists Bert (Suranne Jones) and Sam (Jodie Whittaker) plan one last heist before Bert succumbs to terminal illness.
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: This is what the film Ocean’s 8 should have been, as two unscrupulous con artists assemble an all-female gang to carry out a spectacular crime – and instead of movie-star grandstanding, you get two of today’s best and most charismatic TV actors feasting on some terrific, witty material. Jones, who co-created the show with writer Anne-Marie O’Connor, in particular proves herself a creative force to be reckoned with. But most of all it’s a wild ride of a show, a gripping crime thriller with emotional resonance – a task that’s almost as tricky to pull off as a heist.
Dept Q
Stream season 1 in Apps > Netflix
What it is: An adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Nordic noir novels about – yes – a traumatised and anti-social detective, with the books’ action transported from Denmark to Scotland.
Number of episodes: 9 x 42-71 minutes
Why you should stream it: Troubled detectives are ten a penny in modern TV drama but Dept Q keeps viewers on their toes with some unorthodox choices. The first is casting Matthew Goode – normally so suave in the likes of Downton Abbey and The Crown – as the messy, grumpy Carl Morck, returning hesitantly to police work after being involved in a fatal incident. The supporting cast (including Line Of Duty’s Kelly Macdonald and Guilt’s Mark Bonnar) are similarly great in well-written roles, and the series’ whole aesthetic is not what you’d expect. Smart, dark (in numerous senses) and rewarding.
Alice In Borderland
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Stream season 3 in Apps > Netflix. Seasons 1-2 also available
What it is: In this Japanese sci-fi thriller, the protagonists are forced to compete in sadistic games in a desolate alternative Tokyo. In season 3, the stakes are higher than ever.
Number of episodes: 6 x 55-76 minutes
Why you should stream it: It’s been flying under the radar somewhat, eclipsed by the similarly themed Squid Game, but – especially in its new third season – this is TV that’s simply too good to ignore. If you think you know where a plot line is headed... Think again. And then think again. And no, you’re still not right. It’s shocking and suspense-packed, but it’s emotionally intense too, as the bonds between Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and his friends are strengthened by their ordeal. One thing’s for sure: you’ll never look at a deck of cards the same way again.
Human
Stream all episodes in Apps > BBC iPlayer
What it is: The extraordinary story of how the Homo sapiens emerged and became Earth’s dominant species.
Number of episodes: 5 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: We’ve all watched countless hours of documentaries about animal species and how they evolved, so it’s absolutely fascinating to see humans get the same treatment – especially given the exciting discoveries of recent years that have changed what we thought we knew about our origins. Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi is an engaging host for this eye-opening series, which covers how early humans coped with the Ice Age, the prehistoric era of migration as we spread from Africa all around the globe, and the demise of Homo sapiens’ rival race, the Neanderthals. Engrossing.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Stream season 3 in Apps > Prime Video. Seasons 1-2 also available
What it is: Teenager Belly is caught up in a swoonworthy love triangle with two brothers during one unforgettable summer.
Number of episodes: 11 x 56-79 minutes
Why you should stream it: Not since the days of Twilight has there been a bigger stan-rivalry than the one debating which brother Belly should end up with – Conrad or Jeremiah. It had been brewing since the show began, but it really took off in this year’s final season (although spin-offs are expected). Whether you were a diehard Con-head or a devoted Jelly shipper, generations of viewers were glued to their screens for the much-anticipated finale, which finally revealed who won Belly’s heart once and for all. Who will you choose?
The Celebrity Traitors
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Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer
What it is: An all-star line-up of Faithfuls and Traitors perfect their poker faces in the UK’s first-ever celeb version of the hit reality show.
Number of episodes: 9 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: If you thought that the civilian run of this game show was brilliant then you’re in for a treat with the famous-folk edition. It’s already proven to be a major smash hit thanks to the celebs’ hilarious antics as they’ve banished, back-stabbed and blundered their way through the Scottish Highlands. We still can’t decide whether Celia Imrie passing gas or wailing into a well with incredible accuracy is the best TV moment of 2025.
Murder Before Evensong
Stream series 1 in Apps > 5
What it is: A delightful adaptation of Rev Richard Coles’ novels about crime-solving Canon Daniel Clement, starring Matthew Lewis.
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: Crime doesn’t come much cosier than Coles’ stories about the ingenious clergyman who not only solves murders but lifts the veil on secretive village life, while managing to stay one step ahead of the killers himself. Lewis is charm personified in the lead role, aided by an ace supporting cast including Amanda Redman (New Tricks), Amit Shah (Happy Valley), Adam James (Doctor Foster) and Tamzin Outhwaite (The Wives). Clever and comforting.
The Hack
Stream all episodes in Apps > ITVX
What it is: Adolescence writer Jack Thorne brings the story of the phone-hacking scandal to the screen, starring David Tennant and Toby Jones.
Number of episodes: 7 x 48 minutes
Why you should stream it: Many people in the UK felt betrayed by the criminal acts carried out and then covered up by people working for newspapers, which contributed to a widespread loss of trust in the media. This thoughtful drama attempts to explain what happened, when, how and why, as well as aiming to restore some of that trust by demonstrating that there are responsible journalists like Nick Davies, who uncovered the scandal. Tennant is terrific as Davies, with support from Jones and a starry cast including Eve Myles, Robert Carlyle, Adrian Lester, Steve Pemberton and Rose Leslie, and the story makes for riveting TV.
Brassic
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Stream series 7 in Sky Max on demand. Series 1-6 also available
What it is: Vinnie and his gang of ne’er-do-wells do whatever it takes to stay afloat in the small town of Hawley… for the final time. Sob!
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: After watching Hawley’s finest get themselves into some serious (but always hilarious) scrapes over the years, we feel like we’ve grown up alongside these loveable rogues. And the final chapter of Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst’s critically acclaimed show has not disappointed, packing big schemes and even bigger laughs into every minute of screen time. We’ll miss you, Brassic!
Last One Laughing UK
Stream series 1 in Apps > Prime Video
What it is: The UK’s best and brightest comedians are tasked with making each other laugh all while keeping a straight face.
Number of episodes: 6 x 40 minute episodes
Why you should stream it: It’s a premise that relies on the right balance of comedians to work well. From the big laughers (Judi Love) to the stone faces (Richard Ayoade), from the terminally naughty (Lou Sanders) to the notorious wind-ups (Joe Lycett) and the legendary (Bob Mortimer), the UK version of this format got it spot-on. As well as hilarious gurning as the contestants strove to keep those faces straight, it showed us that a two-minute lecture on the history of the RNLI could be the funniest thing ever.
The Assembly
Stream series 1 in Apps > ITVX
What it is: David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker are grilled by an inquisitive group of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled interviewers.
Number of episodes: 5 x 30 minutes
Why you should stream it: Get ready to feel all the feels. In a world where celebrities are media-trained or have a team of professionals perfectly curating their every move, The Assembly offers a rare and refreshing insight into the psyche of some of the UK’s most famous stars. No questions are off-limits, which lets both the A-listers and the interviewers shine without interference from a pesky PR manager. Packed with laughter, tears and genuine human connection.
Adolescence
Stream all episodes in Apps > Netflix
What it is: A family’s world is turned upside down when their teenage son is accused of killing a fellow classmate.
Number of episodes: 4 x 50-65 minutes
Why you should stream it: Um… because you’re one of the half-dozen people left who hasn’t? It’s been a huge global hit and the focus of at least 65% of TV conversations in 2025, so you’ll be missing out on those. Not only is it an eye-opening and cautionary glimpse into the difficulties of parenting in the online age, but it’s also a phenomenal technical achievement – each episode was shot in one take – with terrific performances, especially from young actor Owen Cooper in his first screen role.
Octopus!
Stream it in Apps > Prime Video
What it is: A deep dive into the magical and fascinating world of the octopus to discover why these creatures are considered “charismatic, vulnerable and sexy”.
Number of episodes: 2 x 40 minutes
Why you should stream it: This isn’t your average nature documentary. Narrated by Fleabag creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Octopus! weaves together an enlightening story through creative animation, testimonies from marine experts and cephalopod fans including actor and comedian Tracy Morgan, and the breathtaking oceanic adventure of a stop-motion Giant Pacific Octopus named Doris.
This City Is Ours
Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer
What it is: A Liverpool-based crime drama about the lives of the Phelan family and their drug trafficking empire.
Number of episodes: 8 x 60 minutes
Why you should stream it: Lauded as the “Scouse Sopranos”, this show’s March debut was so triumphant that a second series has already been confirmed. Woohoo! Rave reviews aside, if you like your crimes dramas tumultuous and gritty with a twist of heart-fluttering romance thrown in (we’re crowning Michael and Diana as Liverpool’s answer to Romeo and Juliet), then we suggest that you clear your evening schedule – because once you start This City Is Ours you won’t want it to end.
The Feud
Stream all episodes in Apps > 5
What it is: A thriller that sees plans for a house extension unearth unexpected skeletons and dark secrets on an idyllic suburban street.
Number of episodes: 6 x 45 minutes
Why you should stream it: While show creator Aschlin Ditta might be more well known for his collaborations with Catherine Tate (The Catherine Tate Show, Queen Of Oz), his move from comedy to domestic thriller has paid dividends. First came suspenseful whodunnit The Inheritance. Then The Feud followed 18 months later, attracting another high-quality cast including Jill Halfpenny, Ray Fearon, Larry Lamb and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell as they navigate a menacing neighbourhood dispute that makes for tense and essential viewing.
MobLand
Stream all episodes in Apps > Paramount+
What it is: A rivalry between two of London’s biggest crime families erupts into an all-out gang war, resulting in a catastrophic struggle for power amid a crumbling empire.
Number of episodes: 10 x 60 minutes
Why you should stream it: Buckle up as Top Boy’s Ronan Bennett takes you on a thrilling crash course through the art of gangland warfare. Tom Hardy is Harry Da Souza – a street-smart fixer for the Harrigan crime family that’s fronted by ruthless patriarch Conrad (Pierce Brosnan). But it’s Helen Mirren as devious matriarch Maeve who’s the real villain of the Harrigan firm, as she subtly guides her grandson Eddie in actions that leave a trail of destruction in their wake. (Did we mention that Anson Boon’s Eddie has ignited similar levels of audience outrage as Jack Gleeson’s Joffrey from Game Of Thrones?)
The Four Seasons
Stream season 1 in Apps > Netflix now
What it is: A modern remake of the 1981 romcom, with Steve Carell, Tina Fey and Colman Domingo at the heart of a decades-long friendship group going through life’s motions.
Number of episodes: 8 x 30 minutes
Why you should stream it: Former 30 Rock writer Tracy Wigfield’s previous shows Great News and the rebooted Saved By The Bell were under-appreciated, but she has struck a chord with this new series, co-created with Tina Fey and Lang Fisher. It’s less joke-heavy than Wigfield’s other work but marries wit to emotional resonance, and it’s extremely relatable in its approach to the practicalities of marriage, friendship and holidays.
The Rehearsal
Stream season 2 in Sky Comedy on demand now. Season 1 also available
What it is: The second instalment of Nathan Fielder’s wacky docucomedy where he helps ordinary people navigate tricky situations by creating extraordinary simulations.
Number of episodes: 6 x 30-60 minutes
Why you should stream it: Fielder keeps coming up with ideas that are like nothing else on TV. From his business-bothering reality show Nathan For You to his bizarre drama The Curse, he’s proved himself a unique talent – and The Rehearsal, with Fielder making already tricky-to-navigate situations even more uncomfortable, is the perfect vehicle for his hilarious brand of hyper-awkwardness. Fans had to be patient after the first season aired all the way back in 2022, but it was definitely worth the wait.
Overcompensating
Stream season 1 in Apps > Prime Video now
What it is: A closeted high school football star heads off to college, where he embarks on a chaotic journey about the importance of finding yourself (eventually).
Number of episodes: 8 x 30-35 minutes
Why you should stream it: While he may have started out with viral Kardashian skits as Benny Drama, comedian Benito Skinner has shed his metaphorical online skin to bring fans his semi-autobiographical (and utterly bingeable) comedy, executive-produced by pop queen Charli XCX. Skinner stars as our central character who, as the title might suggest, does everything in his power to mask his true identity from his male peers, resulting in hilarious hijinks and a 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating. We are gagged.
Out There
Stream all episodes in Apps > ITVX
What it is: Martin Clunes is a bereaved farmer who finds his livelihood under threat from economic problems and criminal gangs, and takes matters into his own hands.
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: If your life has a Happy Valley-shaped hole in it, this tension-filled story of rural crime should fill it perfectly. It paints a vivid and convincing picture of the difficulties faced by farmers in modern Britain, from pressure to sell their land for commercial use to the fact that their children have no interest in their inheritance if it means hard work. And Clunes – entering his Liam Neeson era, as an armed traditionalist who won’t stand for any nefarious activity – is a revelation.
Missing You
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Stream all episodes in Apps > Netflix
What it is: A detective investigates an apparent abduction and soon finds that the case has links to the murder of her father and the abrupt ending of her engagement.
Number of episodes: 5 x 41-46 minutes
Why you should stream it: 2025 has brought us another Netflix adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel with this intricately plotted thriller, starring Slow Horses’ Rosalind Eleazar. It’s fast-moving stuff, with shocking revelations occurring at agreeably frequent intervals. The producers have assembled a terrific cast including Marc Warren (Van Der Valk), James Nesbitt (Suspect), Steve Pemberton (Inside No.9), Ashley Walters (Top Boy), Samantha Spiro (Sex Education) and Richard Armitage, who’s appeared in all the English-language Coben series on Netflix.
The Traitors
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Stream series 3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer. Series 1-2 and the US, Australian and New Zealand versions also available, as well as companion show The Traitors: Uncloaked
What it is: Another dose of Round Table-based skulduggery as the Faithfuls and Traitors strive to outmanoeuvre each other, while host Claudia Winkleman watches on archly.
Number of episodes: 12 x 1 hour (the finale is slightly longer)
Why you should stream it: Even if you’ve not previously got on board with this phenomenally successful competition show – over 10 million have watched the series 3 finale – you can dive straight into the most recent edition and immerse yourself in the scheming shenanigans. And if you’re a fan who’s wondering how they’ll keep it fresh third time around, don’t worry: as well as creative variations on previous tasks there are ace new ones too, and a surprising twist in the finale that introduces a whole new category of contestant.
The Crow Girl
Stream all episodes on Paramount+
What it is: Detectives Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles) and Lou Stanley (Dougray Scott) hunt a serial killer in this adaptation of a Scandinavian crime thriller shifted to Britain.
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: Writer Milly Thomas and directors Charles Martin and Rebecca Rycroft do a sterling job of translating the chilly, brooding Scandi noir atmosphere to the West Country, helped by the truly disturbing premise of Erik Axl Sund’s source novel. As in the best crime dramas, nothing is what it seems and no one is to be trusted. The cast are excellent: Myles (Keeping Faith, We Hunt Together) and Scott (Irvine Welsh’s Crime, Vigil) are well versed in the genre and make the complicated police business look effortless. Propulsive, compelling and unsettling.
Vera
Stream series 14 in Apps > ITVX. Series 1-13 also available
What it is: The final mystery for Brenda Blethyn’s much-loved dowdy detective as she bows out after well over a decade on our screens.
Number of episodes: 2 x 2 hours
Why you should stream it: Like Shetland’s Jimmy Perez, also created by master crime writer Ann Cleeves, Vera Stanhope has earned a place in the canon of great TV detectives. And the series ended its run with a surprisingly emotional mystery, one that brought forth parallels with Vera’s early life – something we hadn’t seen much of – as she investigated the disappearance of a young woman with whom she felt a certain kinship. It’s an unexpected, quite un-Vera way to see her off, and one that made the series’ ending all the more bittersweet.
Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake
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Stream all episodes in Apps > U
What it is: The TOWIE graduate and Strictly star helps the charity Dogs Trust to rehabilitate and rehome rescued dogs.
Number of episodes: 10 x 45 minutes (series 1-2, plus Christmas special)
Why you should stream it: You may not think the flamboyantly groomed and coiffed Wicks is to your taste at first, but we defy anyone not to be won over by this sweet-natured Essex lad after watching him in any of his TV appearances – from Celebrity MasterChef to Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and especially his triumphant run to the Strictly semi-final last year. And he’s in his element presenting this heartwarming series, in which his genuine love for animals is front and centre. If you get through it without shedding a tear, we suggest double-checking whether your heart is made of actual stone.
SAS Rogue Heroes
Stream series 2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer. Series 1 also available
What it is: The continuation of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s fact-based wartime drama about the early days of the Special Air Service.
Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: “Period drama” usually conjures up images of corsets and bonnets, but if that’s not your thing, don’t worry. This series meticulously recreates the mid-20th century for another bracing series of perilous combat missions. With the shrewd David Stirling (Connor Swindells) imprisoned and out of action this time, command falls to the more reckless Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell), and viewers get to see the contrast between two approaches to military strategy: cautious and bullish. This is muscular, high-class entertainment.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Stream all episodes in Apps > Netflix
What it is: A fact-based drama in which an Australian wellness blogger who claimed to have cured her own cancer through unorthodox methods is unmasked as a fraud.
Number of episodes: 6 x 55-65 minutes
Why you should stream it: It’s a sobering tale of how gaining some influence can lead to desperate corruption – and why you shouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet. Belle Gibson starts out offering wellness advice on social media with the best intentions. But when she gains a huge following, the exaggerations begin to spin out of control as lies are stacked upon lies. It’s part of a mini-trend (which includes Netflix’s Inventing Anna) of shows about real people brought down after being hoisted by their own hubris – you might call them Icarus stories.
Molly-Mae: Behind It All
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Stream series 1 + series 2 part 1 in Apps > Prime Video
What it is: A glimpse into the life of reality TV star and influencer Molly-Mae Hague as she juggles her social media presence, business, romance and press intrusion.
Number of episodes: 9 x 35 minutes
Why you should stream it: With eight million Instagram followers, Molly-Mae is one of the faces of the social media age in the UK, and her profile was only boosted by her romance with Love Island paramour and boxer Tommy Fury. If you’re tuning in for relationship gossip, though, you won’t find it. Instead this is an insightful and often surprising look behind the scenes of an online megastar, and although it’s clear that the subject and the programme-makers are carefully guarding how much information about her is released, that tells its own story.
FROM
Stream season 3 in Sky Max on demand. Seasons 1-2 also available
What it is: After weeks of trying to escape, the Township’s inhabitants are starting to slip into desperation – but there is a glimmer of hope.
Number of episodes: 10 x 1 hour
Why you should stream it: This creepy sci-fi series has steadily become one of the most gripping shows on TV but it’s flown under the radar somewhat. With its characters trapped in a isolated location and experiencing mysterious occurrences, it’s got some serious Lost vibes – helped by the presence of the superb Harold Perrineau (who played Michael Dawson in the hit 2000s show) as the town’s sheriff. While Lost ended up dividing viewers with its labyrinthine storylines, the reviews for FROM have been glowing, and the focus is firmly on solving the riddle of the Township’s powers.
Binged the lot already? Here are 10 more TV shows from the past few months to add to your watchlist
Daddy Issues
Stream series 2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer. Series 1 also available
More witty family shenanigans in Danielle Ward’s sitcom about three generations sharing the same space, starring the wonderful Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey.
The Beast In Me
Stream all episodes in Apps > Netflix
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys are mesmerising in this dark drama about a grieving author who makes a connection with a man she suspects may be a serial killer.
Cooper & Fry
Stream series 1 in Apps > 5
It’s a pleasure to see Doctor Who’s Mandeep Gill as quirky detective Diane Fry alongside Downton’s Robert James-Collier in this fun crime drama. Only four episodes? More please!
Chris McCausland: Seeing Into The Future
Stream it in Apps > BBC iPlayer
An revelatory exploration of the ways technology is changing the lives of people with disabilities, with McCausland a smart and engaging host.
Game Of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter
Stream series 1 episodes 1-7 in Apps > Channel 4. Series finale available Sunday 21 December
Cosy TV doesn’t get any cosier than this delightful show that attempts to find the UK’s most proficient knitwit. Who will be cast off in the final?!
Nobody Wants This
Stream season 2 in Apps > Netflix. Season 1 also available
Relationships get messier by the minute in the second instalment of this warts-and-all romcom centring on a mismatched couple played by Kristen Bell and Adam Brody..
Kingdom
Stream all episodes in Apps > BBC iPlayer
The latest David Attenborough documentary is the compelling story of four groups of predators battling for supremacy in Zambia. (We’re all Team Wild Dogs, right?)
The War Between The Land And The Sea
Stream episodes 1-4 in Apps > BBC iPlayer. Series finale available Sunday 21 December
Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw lead this ambitious Doctor Who spin-off about a UNIT staffer who gets caught up in a conflict with the mysterious beings that lurk in the ocean.
All’s Fair
Stream season 1 in Apps > Disney+ or just say “Disney”
Say what you like about this racy, raucous, frankly outrageous legal drama with a cast of female screen icons including Kim Kardashian and Sarah Paulson – you won’t forget it any time soon.
Allegiance
Stream season 1 in U&Alibi on demand
Gripping Canadian drama about a rookie police officer who discovers the limits of the justice system as she fights to exonerate her falsely accused politician father.
How to watch Paramount+ with Virgin TV
You can get Paramount+ direct on Virgin TV 360 and our Stream box once you’ve got a subscription to the service. Simply sign up online, then log in on the box. And because Paramount+ is fully integrated into our 360 and Stream boxes, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after. You can also voice search Paramount+ shows with your remote, or say “Paramount Plus” to get to the app even faster.
How to watch Prime Video with Virgin TV
Prime Video is available to all Virgin TV customers with Virgin TV 360, our Stream box and our V6 box (powered by TiVo®), and a subscription to the service. Simply sign up to Amazon Prime via the website, and you can log in on the box. And because Prime Video is fully integrated into TiVo®, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after. 360 customers can also find Prime Video shows and launch the app with voice search.
Please note, if you watch TV on our TiVo® box, you will not be able to access Prime Video. But it’s super simple to upgrade to our latest Virgin TV box by contacting us on 0345 454 1111 (or call 150 from a Virgin Media phone).
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TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.
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Catch Up TV: Catch Up TV content available for up to 7 days or up to 30 days after broadcast, depending on content.
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Netflix: Netflix subscription required at extra cost.
Paramount+: Paramount+ subscription required at extra cost. TV 360 and Stream box customers only.
Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime subscription required at extra cost. 18+. Click here for T&Cs.
Virgin TV 360 Box: Not available with full fibre. Minimum of M50 Fibre Broadband required for operation. Boxes require a HDMI cable to connect to your TV. Catch Up TV: Catch Up TV content available for seven days after broadcast.
Virgin Stream box: Virgin Media broadband required (min. 50 Mbps). Compatible with Hub 3 and above. Stream box requires an HDMI cable connected to TV. HD TV set and a Stream box connected with HDMI cables required for viewing HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package. 4K compatible TV/device required to watch Ultra HD. Stream box and remote remain property of Virgin Media.
Flex: Virgin Media broadband required (min. 50 Mbps). Not available with other Virgin Media TV services. Compatible with Hub 3 and above. Stream box requires an HDMI cable connected to TV. HD TV set and a Stream box connected with HDMI cables required for viewing HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package. 4K compatible TV/device required to watch Ultra HD. Stream box and remote remain property of Virgin Media. There is a £5 a month charge for Flex service, and a one-off activation fee of £35 may apply, along with charges & terms for each Flex entertainment subscription chosen. Some Flex subscriptions require 30 days’ notice to cancel. New Virgin Media broadband customers subject to 18 month contract and set up fees may apply. See full details.
Image credits:
Prisoner 951© BBC / Dancing Ledge
The Marvellous Miniature Workshop © BBC / UAMG Content, LLC / Tim Wren
The Traitors © Studio Lamber / Euan Cherry
Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake © UKTV
SAS Rogue Heroes © Banijay UK / Robert Viglasky
The Celebrity Traitors © BBC / Studio Lambert / Cody Burrridge
