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March 2024 watchlist

March 2024 watchlist

  

We’ve got all the top picks on BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, Prime Video and Paramount+ and in On Demand to keep you entertained

By Virgin TV Edit

Hollywood stars galore come to Prime Video this month, as Jake Gyllenhaal takes on all sorts of baddies including UFC fighter Conor McGregor in Road House. Liam Hemsworth and Russell Crowe take centre stage in the nail-biting Land Of Bad while Zac Efron and John Cena are butting heads in laugh-out-loud comedy Ricky Stanicky.

 

There’s even more laughs over on the BBC where you can stream brilliant comedies Boarders and Things You Should Have Done now. The fun continues on Channel 4 with Big Mood starring Nicola Coughlin, as well as a brand new series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off.

 

With International Women’s Day coming up you can celebrate some of the best women on our screens in On Demand, including Oscar-winner Julianne Moore in Mary & George, Bel Powley in A Small Light, Charlotte Hope in To Catch A Killer, comics Rosie Jones, Judi Love and Katherine Ryan in Out Of Order and Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett who narrates new nature docuseries Queens.

 

Finally, head to Paramount+ for brand-new Celebrity Ex On The Beach, high-octane series Twisted Metal and a new season of sci-fi hit Halo.

 

All this and much more! Check out the best streaming shows for the month ahead in our March watchlist.

 

There’s all this and more to discover across BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, Prime Video and Paramount+ and in On Demand – keep scrolling to see all our highlights on Virgin TV this month. Or check out what’s new on Netflix this month for our pick of the best TV and movies on the service. 

 

Need some tips on how to access some of these services on Virgin TV? You’ll find them at the end of this article.

 

Dead Hot

Find season 1 in Apps & Games > Prime Video now

Harlan Coben’s bestselling novels have been lighting up the small screen in recent years – including Prime Video’s Shelter – and now his daughter Charlotte is making her own thrilling debut with her creation Dead Hot. The six-parter follows the hedonistic antics of best friends Elliot (Bilal Hasna, Extraordinary) and Jess (Vivian Oparah, Rye Lane), who navigate the complexities of their mid-20s while grieving the loss of Peter – Elliot’s first love and Jess’ twin brother. But things take a twisty turn when a stranger enters their lives claiming to be Peter. 

 

Ricky Stanicky

Find it in Apps & Games > Prime Video from Thursday 7 March

By now John Cena is surely better known for his acting than for his 16 WWE world championships, and he lends his talents to this new comedy flick that will have you in stitches. The film follows three friends (played by Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler and Andrew Santino) who have blamed two decades of misbehaviour on their imaginary friend “Ricky Stanicky”. When their cover is about to be blown, the trio hire washed-up actor Rod (Cena) to pose as Ricky and chaos ensues.

 

Invincible

Find season 2 part 2 in Apps & Games > Prime Video from Thursday 14 March. Season 1 and season 2 part 1 available now

It’s set to be a big year for superheroes with Deadpool & Wolverine, Venom 3 and Joker: Folie A Deux hitting screens – but we’re most excited about the latest instalment of bone-crunching, eye-popping animated series Invincible. With four supercharged episodes dropping every week from Thursday 14 March, find out how Mark Grayson (aka Invincible) deals with the impossible task that the evil Viltrumite gave him – take over Earth… or else. Rumours are swirling that Spider-Man might make an appearance in a portal-hopping twist.

 

Road House

Find it in Apps & Games > Prime Video from Thursday 21 March

After starring in 2015’s Southpaw, Jake Gyllenhaal is back in fighting form in the reimagining of this 1989 cult classic. Gyllenhaal steps into Patrick Swayze’s shoes as protagonist Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter who’s down on his luck and drifting between towns. That is, until he’s given a shot as a bouncer at a run-down roadhouse in Florida Keys, where he quickly attracts all sorts of unwanted attention from the local clientele. With real-life UFC fighter Conor McGregor making his acting debut, expect lots of high-octane action and a punch-up or ten.

 

5lbs Of Pressure

Find it in Apps & Games > Prime Video from Friday 22 March

Luke Evans (The Way) is almost unrecognisable in his latest role as an ex-con looking for a shot at redemption. Fresh out of prison after a 16-year stretch for murder, Adam (Evans) returns to his hometown to seek his son’s forgiveness, only to discover that the brother of the man he killed is hell-bent on revenge. To complicate matters even further, Adam crosses paths with Mike (Rory Culkin, Swarm) who’s desperate to escape the clutches of a drug-dealing uncle, leading them along a violent path. Will they get one last shot at redemption?

 

Land Of Bad

Find it in Apps & Games > Prime Video from Good Friday

Prepare to spend 113 minutes on the edge of your seat with this thrilling flick that’s packed with Hollywood star power and heart-pounding action. Brothers Liam and Luke Hemsworth star as part of a Special Forces operation in the Philippines, which quickly spirals out of control and becomes a brutal fight for survival. Air Force drone pilot Reaper (Russell Crowe) must navigate the safe return of rookie officer Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) who has been left outnumbered in unknowable danger. Nail-biting stuff.

 

Boarders

Stream series 1 in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer now

Inner-city London meets Hogwarts in this new BBC comedy from Daniel Lawrence Taylor, creator of Timewasters. When five Black teens are selected to attend the elite boarding school St Gilberts, they face a steep learning curve. Not only do they have to cope with the insidious racism, they also have to “code-switch”, changing their accents and mannerisms to try to fit in. With a playful tone and a strong cast, including Josh Tedeku (A Town Called Malice) and Jodie Campbell (No Return), Boarders manages to call out injustice at the same time as making us laugh.

 

Things You Should Have Done

Stream series 1 in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer now

Lucia Keskin made us laugh in Big Boys and Sneakerhead, and now she’s starring in her own gloriously dysfunctional family sitcom. She plays Chi – a lazy, stay-at-home daughter who’s forced to fend for herself when her parents die in a car crash (yes, this comedy is black). To inherit the house, she must complete the list of “Things You Should Have Done” laid out in their will. Cue a series of hilarious escapades as Chi attempts to do everything from “get a job” to “learn to drive”, plus comedic conflict with her highly strung Auntie Karen (Selin Hizli, Am I Being Unreasonable?).

 

Full Time

Stream it in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer now

Kids to feed, trains to catch, bills to pay – this all-too relatable French thriller about a woman on the brink makes for compelling viewing. The brilliant Laure Calamy (Call My Agent!) plays Julie, a single working mother of two who’s just about managing, until she’s not. With lurching camera shots and a stress-inducing soundscape, this is a film that pulls you in and makes your heart race. Just remember to breeeeeathe.

 

Caroline Aherne: Queen Of Comedy

Stream it in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer now

“So, what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?” Caroline Aherne was a one-off – something this celebration of her life and work showcases beautifully. With snippets of early stand-up, plus excerpts from sketch shows and her most famous comic masterpiece The Royle Family, it tells Aherne’s story in her own words with contributions from friends and collaborators. Part of the BBC’s Trailblazing Women collection, curated in celebration of International Women’s Day, it’s a must-watch.

 

Discovering The Music Of Antiquity

Stream it in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer now

When was music invented? Where did it originate? What was the first instrument? These questions have had scholars scratching their heads for decades but answers have remained elusive. This absorbing documentary delves into the debate as it follows an investigation into a papyrus document discovered in a storeroom at the Louvre. Evidence suggests it’s an ancient Greek score, but can it be interpreted? And will we ever get to hear it played as planned 2,400 years ago? Fascinating stuff.

 

Newark, Newark

Stream it in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer from Tuesday 5 March

If you loved Shameless or People Just Do Nothing, this is the show for you. Starring Morgana Robinson (The Windsors) and Matthew Horne (Gavin & Stacy), this three-episode kitchen-sink sitcom turns domestic melodrama into comedy gold. Robinson plays exhausted chip-shop manager Maxine, who’s trying to adapt to single life after her divorce while supporting her 16-year-old son Leslie (impressive newcomer Jai Hollis). Full of bawdy humour and larger-than-life characters, it’s also a touching, heartfelt watch.

 

Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt For MH370

Stream it in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer from Wednesday 6 March

Planes go up; planes come down. Well, that’s how things should work… but 10 years ago Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board, a mystery that has been baffling experts and the anguished families of the missing ever since. As new evidence emerges of the plane’s possible location through pioneering radio technology, this film tries to piece together what really happened and what lessons can be learned to make the aviation industry safer.

 

How To With John Wilson

Stream season 3 in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer from Friday 8 March. Seasons 1+2 also available

If you haven’t yet discovered this quirky and imaginative series from film-maker and “anxious New Yorker” John Wilson, you’re in for a treat. Using thousands of hours of footage taken from the city streets, Wilson compiles how-to documentaries on a series of relatable topics. In this series, his subjects include “how to find a public restroom” and “how to clean your ears”. Wilson’s wry voiceover and the perfectly chosen clips he uses to illustrate what he’s saying turns these films into mini masterpieces. 

 

The Push: Murder On The Mountain

Find it in Apps & Games > Channel 4 now

This jaw-dropping new series tells the true and terrible tale of Fawziyah Javed, a 31-year-old lawyer from Leeds who died after falling from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh in 2021. That her husband Kashif Anwar was subsequently charged with her murder, and that she was 17 weeks pregnant at the time makes the story all the more horrific. The series follows the murder trial minute by minute, uncovering years of domestic abuse and highlighting the insidious dangers of coercive control.

 

The Rise And Fall Of Pablo Escobar

Find it in Apps & Games > Channel 4 from Monday 4 March 

Dubbed “the king of cocaine”, Pablo Escobar was one of the wealthiest drag barons in history. Rising from humble beginnings in Colombia, he moved from petty theft and cigarette smuggling to controlling the cocaine trade, ultimately becoming the world’s most powerful and feared criminal. In this two-hour special, the US DEA agents who hunted Escobar down give us an inside look at the painstaking pursuit, with personal accounts, plus never-before-seen footage and photographs of Escobar’s life and capture.

 

The Rise And Fall Of Boris Johnson

Find it in Apps & Games > Channel 4 from Wednesday 6 March 

Being such a Romanophile, we’re sure BJ would be delighted with the title of this revealing four-part documentary series. Like the Roman Empire, he too rose high and fell hard – taking much of the nation’s self-esteem with him. Charting the events that shaped the man, from his chaotic childhood and student days at Oxford to his tumultuous premiership, the programme includes rare archive footage as well as input from those closest to him – both friends and enemies.

 

Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax

Find it in Apps & Games > Channel 4 from Monday 11 March 

Conspiracy theories are the bane of our times, and this was one of the most extraordinary. In 2014, parents and teachers at a Hampstead school were accused of being part of a Satanic paedophile ring. That the allegations were baseless did little to abate the furore and many of the accused face harassment, abuse and even death threats to this day. In this feature-length documentary, the mothers at the heart of the chilling story speak for the first time about their experiences and how they attempted to build a legal case against their harassers to clear their names. 

 

The Great Celebrity Bake Off

Find series 7 in Apps & Games > Channel 4 from Sunday 17 March. Series 1-6 also available

Know your Madeiras from your Madeleines? And how to avoid a soggy bottom? Well, we hope the celebs at this year’s Stand Up To Cancer bake-a-thon do and that they’re heads-down in cookery books in preparation. Over five new episodes, hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will welcome 20 famous faces to the tent, including actor Danny Dyer, comedian Fern Brady and Strictly legend Oti Mabuse. And who will they need to impress to win the day? Prue Leith and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, of course. Whisks at the ready!

 

Hunted

Find series 7 in Apps & Games > Channel 4 from Sunday 17 March. Series 1-6 also available

If you had to disappear tomorrow and become a fugitive, could you dodge CCTV and evade capture? We feel sure we could just by wearing a very big hoodie but, then again, we might be underestimating those pesky hunters and their surveillance gadgets. In this seventh incarnation of the series, there’s a new batch of Brits on the run and we can’t wait to see what they get up to. Will they antagonise their pursuers (including DS Marc Cananur, pictured, a specialist in covert operations) with social media taunts or manage to stay completely off-grid? Where will they hide? Who will they trust? This real-life thriller gets our vote every time.

 

Big Mood

Find series 1 in Apps & Games > Channel 4 from Thursday 28 March 

With its star-studded cast and refreshingly honest approach to mental health, this new six-part comedy series has gone straight to the top of our must-watch list. Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlin and It’s A Sin’s Lydia West play old friends Maggie and Eddie. But a series of chaotic events start to make them question their friendship and their life plans. Is sleeping with your old history teacher really a good idea? And how do you stop your psychiatrist giving you worry dolls? Hilarious and heartwarming.

 

Miss Scarlet And The Duke

Find series 4 in On Demand now. Series 1-3 also available

We’re reeling from the news that Stuart Martin (Jamestown), who plays William “The Duke” Wellington in this swashbuckling series, is leaving at the end of the current series, although the show is continuing without him. What will Victorian detective Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips, Peaky Blinders) do without her partner in crime-solving? But before we find that out, what will The Duke’s departure look like? We’ll find out when the finale of the fourth series arrives on Wednesday 13 March.

 

Secret World Of Sound With David Attenborough

Find series 1 in On Demand now

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of another groundbreaking docuseries from the nation’s most beloved broadcaster. David Attenborough is back on screens to explore the extraordinary ways that animals hear and produce sound, shining a new light on how we understand animal behaviours, communication and survival instincts. Covering creatures great and small including dolphins, owls, elephants and meerkats, we have a feeling that this is going to be another roaring success for Attenborough (we’ll see ourselves out).

 

Out Of Order

Find series 1 in On Demand now

From the makers of Late Night Lycett comes this new comedy panel series that will have you in stitches. Leading the charge are award-winning comics Rosie Jones, Judi Love and Katherine Ryan, with Jones hosting and the latter acting as team captains. The aim of the game is simple. Along with a roster of celebrity guests, Love and Ryan must correctly rank members of the public across a number of categories from least likely to most likely. Who’s been married the most times? Who earns the most? Comic Chris McCausland – who’s unable to judge anyone at first sight – proves a particularly inspired guest.

 

S.W.A.T.

Find series 1-6 in On Demand now

Looking for a new box set to binge? Then look no further than this US action series, a reboot of the mid-70s show that was also the basis for the 2003 Colin Farrell/Samuel L Jackson movie. Shemar Moore stars as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a S.W.A.T. Sergeant who leads an elite tactical team that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Each day Hondo finds himself caught between two worlds – the one he was born and raised in and the one he chose to become a part of with his brothers in blue.

 

Trial In The Outback: The Lindy Chamberlain Story

Find series 1 in On Demand now

This documentary examines the tragic disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain and the wrongful conviction and release of her mother Lindy. In 1980, two-month-old Azaria was killed by a wild dingo on a family camping trip, resulting in a three-year prison sentence and a decades-long ordeal for Lindy as she fought to clear her name. Now, across three episodes, the Chamberlain family discuss these harrowing events in their own words.

 

Queens

Find series 1 in On Demand from Monday 4 March

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, don’t miss this jaw-dropping new docuseries that celebrates the most powerful matriarchs across the animal kingdom. Created by a female-led production team with cutting-edge technology, its seven episodes examine how females in the natural world rise to power, often relying on cooperation and wisdom over brute strength to get ahead. And yes, that’s Hollywood powerhouse Angela Bassett that you can hear narrating the trailer.

 

Mary & George

Find series 1 in On Demand from Tuesday 5 March

Oscar winner Julianne Moore steps into the shoes of formidable historical figure Mary Villiers in this audacious period drama. Inspired by real-life events and Benjamin Woolley’s book The King’s Assassin, the seven-parter follows the Villiers family’s rise to power in the English court through Mary’s calculated scheming, as well as the intense love affair between George Villiers (Nicholas Galitzine) and King James VI and I (Tony Curran).

 

Catch Me A Killer

Find series 1 in On Demand from Tuesday 5 March

Would you know how to catch a killer? Charlotte Hope (Game Of Thrones) takes centre stage in this disturbing drama that’s inspired by real-life psychologist Micki Pistorius, who assisted South African police with catching a serial killer in the 1990s and went on to help across many more murder cases. A gripping watch from start to finish. Read our interview with Hope here.

 

The Marlow Murder Club

Find series 1 in On Demand from Wednesday 6 March

We love solving a good old-fashioned whodunnit caper and this new mystery series – adpated from the novel by Robert Thorogood, creator of Death in Paradise – is no exception. The two-part series follows unlikely crime-solving trio Judith (Samantha Bond, Downton Abbey), Becks (Cara Horgan, The Sandman) and Suzie (Jo Martin, Doctor Who) as they try to solve the fiendishly puzzling murder of Judith’s neighbour.

 

Royal Kill List

Find series 1 in On Demand from Tuesday 12 March

Nearly 400 years ago, King Charles I was executed, resulting in a pivotal period of English history as his successor Charles II was crowned but then exiled from the country. This landmark drama-documentary captures this Jacobean tragedy of espionage, revenge, power and loyalty, following Charles II return to the throne and lifelong mission to hunt for his father’s killers – the Regicides. Sheila Atim, Jared Harris and Joseph Fiennes star. 

 

The Proof Is Out There

Find series 4 in On Demand from Tuesday 19 March. Series 2 also available

Former CNN news anchor Tony Harris takes viewers on a journey into the unknown as he investigates the world’s most bewildering videos, photos and audio recordings. Having previously tackled a dog-headed man, hairy serpents and a troubling entity known as the Malaysian Toilet Monster, Harris kicks off the latest series by revisiting the legend of Bigfoot, studying footprint casts that he suspects may indicate the existence of an undiscovered North American primate.

 

A Small Light

Find series 1 in On Demand from Saturday 30 March

Bel Powley (Everything I Know About Love) stuns in her powerful performance as remarkable wartime hero Miep Gies, who helped hide the Frank family from the Nazis during World War II. Across eight episodes the series captures the moving story of how Miep and her husband Jan (Joe Cole, Peaky Blinders) risked their lives to shelter the Franks and other Jews for 761 days in their secret annex. Compelling viewing.

 

Halo

Find season 2 on Paramount+ now. Season 1 also available

Get ready for another out-of-this-world adventure as Master Chief John-117 aka Spartan-117 (Pablo Schreiber, Skyscraper) is back. Inspired by the gaming franchise of the same name, Halo continues to expand its cosmic world as Spartan-117 leads his army into battle against the Covenant, a deadly alien threat. As the galaxy comes closer to the brink of destruction, Spartan-117 must embark on a mission to find the Halo. 

 

The Thundermans Return

Find it on Paramount+ from Thursday 7 March

A feature-length follow-up to the hit Nickelodeon comedy series, this fun movie brings us more of the crimefighting adventures of the hilarious superhero family. Starring the original cast, it’s brimming with comic-book stunts and family power struggles as twins Phoebe (Kira Kosarin) and Max (Jack Griffo) attempt to regain their superhero status after one of their “saves” goes wrong. A great watch for the whole family. 

 

Celebrity Ex On The Beach

Find season 3 on Paramount+ from Tuesday 19 March. Seasons 1-2 also available

Blazing sun, a clutch of celebrity singles and an invitation to their exes to come and join in the fun: it’s the perfect recipe for high drama – just what this reality show is all about. This time around the celebs include model Chloe Veitch, Love Island contestant Joe Garratt and TOWIE star Yazmin Oukhellou. Get ready for scores to be settled and sparks to fly… Episode 1 drops on 19 March, followed by weekly episode releases.

 

Twisted Metal

Find season 1 on Paramount+ from Thursday 21 March

From the team behind Deadpool and Zombieland comes this high-octane action comedy series, based on the classic PlayStation game. The premise? John Doe (Anthony Mackie, the MCU’s Falcon turned Captain America) must traverse a post-apocalyptic wasteland to deliver a mysterious package. Is it a smooth journey? Not a bit of it. On the way he encounters a gun-slinging hitchhiker (Stephanie Beatriz, In The Heights), killer cars, psychopaths and a murderous clown. Expect murder, mayhem and a lot of – you guessed it – twisted metal.

 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Find it on Paramount+ from Wednesday 27 March

Stream the latest instalment of the supercharged spy film series, with all the awe-inspiring action and jaw-dropping stunt sequences of its predecessors. Once again, Tom Cruise is daredevil field agent Ethan Hunt who, with his trusty team, is tasked with tracking down a terrifying new weapon before it falls into the wrong hands and destroys the world. Cue a deadly race around the globe and a breathtaking cinematic experience. Hayley Atwell (Avengers: Endgame), Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) and Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction) also star.

 

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

Find it on Paramount+ from Good Friday

The latest spin-off from the hugely popular animated kids’ TV show, this is doggie drama with extra WOOF! When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers. But will they be enough to stop the super-villains and save the city? James Marsden (Sonic The Hedgehog) voices Hank, Kristen Bell (Frozen) is Janet and McKenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) is pink-loving, helicopter-flying cockatoo Skye. Treat your kids to this and they’ll be like, well, a dog with two tails.

 

How to watch Paramount+ with Virgin TV

If you’re a Virgin TV 360 box or Stream from Virgin Media customer, you can get Paramount+ direct on your telly 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 Virgin TV 360 and Stream, 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 a 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. Virgin TV 360 customers can also find Prime Video shows and launch the app with voice search. 

 

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HD: HD TV set, V HD Box, TiVo box or Virgin TV V6 connected with HDMI cables required for HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.

Catch Up TV: Catch Up TV content available for up to 7 days or up to 30 days after broadcast, depending on content.

On Demand: Content available to view depends on TV package. Time limits apply for viewing chargeable On Demand content – see virginmedia.com. Once purchased, all chargeable On Demand content must be viewed within 48 hours. Premium channels and upgrades must be kept for at least 30 days.

Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime subscription required at extra cost. 18+. Click here for T&Cs. 

Paramount+: Paramount+ subscription required at extra cost. TV 360 and Stream customers only. 

Image credit: Nightsleeper © Euston Films / Sam Taylor

The Way © BBC / Red Seam