Best box sets to stream on iPlayer, Netflix, Prime Video and more
Isabelle Grimshaw
Some weekends, all you want to do is stick a box set on and watch a whole season in a night. No judgement here, we love it! Whether you fancy some comedy, a gripping drama or some comfort TV, check out our top picks of best box sets on Freesat from top free and paid on-demand players.
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON BBC IPLAYER
The Ranganation
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Along with celebrity guests, comedian Romesh Ranganathan has created The Ranganation, a focus group made up of members of the public who give their takes on modern Britain. Tune in for topical humour on BBC iPlayer.
Spiral
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Now in its final season, catch up with the iconic French crime drama on BBC iPlayer. Watch all eight seasons of Spiral on BBC iPlayer for twists, turns and thrilling drama.
A Perfect Planet
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
It’s no exaggeration to say that our planet is one in a billion. This new documentary series explores how our planet is driven and held together by a remarkable natural ecosystem, and how we can work to protect this delicate and awe-inspiring balance. Watch A Perfect Planet on BBC iPlayer for a remarkable glimpse at the nature of our planet for some chilled yet breathtaking telly.
The Serpent
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Starring Tahar Rahim and Jenna Coleman, if you haven’t seen The Serpent yet, it should be at the top of your list. Based on the true story of a murderer, the new crime drama follows Charles Sobhraj, the man who was responsible for a string of disappearances in the mid-1970s along Asia’s hippie trail and went on to become Interpol’s most wanted man as he consistently avoided capture. Watch The Serpent now on BBC iPlayer, and check out the other top crime series to watch right now.
If you loved The Serpent, don’t miss Bad People’s special episode which looks back at the real story of the case on BBC Sounds.
Pretty Little Liars
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
A year after their friend disappears, four girls start receiving mysterious messages from ‘A’, revealing that someone knows their darkest and ugliest secrets...Binge all seven addictive seasons of Pretty Little Liars on BBC iPlayer – go on, we know you want to!
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Fierce, fabulous and ready to watch, seasons one and two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK are waiting for you on BBC iPlayer. Tune in to see 10 British Queens lip sync their hearts out to become crowned Britain’s Next Drag Superstar, with plenty of bold looks, tumbles and drama along the way.
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Escape back to the ‘90s with all six seasons (and the reunion special) of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Essentially, it’s a story all about how Will Smith’s life got flipped upside down when he moved from his home of West Philadelphia (born and raised) to a town called Bel-Air...well, you remember the rap. For some comforting and hilarious 90s nostalgia, check out Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on BBC iPlayer.
A Teacher
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Starring Kate Mara (House of Cards), A Teacher follows an abuse of power which will scar a high school teacher and her pupil for life when they begin an illicit affair. Watch the whole gripping first season of A Teacher on BBC iPlayer.
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON ITV HUB
Finding Alice
Streaming now on ITV Hub
Finding Alice is ITV’s exciting new drama starring Keeley Hawes as a woman who has just lost her partner of 20 years in a sudden, shocking accident. From the creators of The Durrells, this dark comedy about grief is surprisingly uplifting and irresistibly watchable. Watch the whole first season of Finding Alice on ITV Hub, and find out more about Finding Alice from the stars themselves.
The Bay
Streaming now on ITV Hub
Based in the seaside town of Morecambe, this hard-hitting crime drama follows DS Armstrong (Morven Christie) as she searches for missing teenage twins, and soon realises she has a personal connection to the case, leading to a disturbing end. And that’s just season 1! Brand-new series 2 of The Bay is now also available to watch for free on ITV Hub, so you can binge both seasons with no waiting.
The Sister
Streaming now on ITV Hub
From the creator of Luther, The Sister is a chilling new drama which focuses around a decades old secret which now threatens to come to light. Taking place in multiple timelines and full of twists and turns, this exciting and dark drama is the perfect series to dive into. Watch The Sister on ITV Hub and find out more about the disturbing inspiration behind the series from Neil Cross.
The Pembrokeshire Murders
Streaming now on ITV Hub
Based on a true story, this new ITV drama follows Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins reinvestigates one of Pembrokeshire’s most notorious unsolved crimes decades later. Locally known as the Coastal Path Murders, Wilkins uses cutting edge forensic science to track down a killer who terrorised the local community and bring him to justice at last. Catch up with all three episodes of The Pembrokeshire Murders now on ITV Hub.
The Singapore Grip
Streaming now on ITV Hub
If you’re in the mood for a period drama, give The Singapore Grip a go. It follows the story of a British family living in Singapore in 1942 when Singapore was on the cusp of the Japanese invasion, and stars a medley of big names including Charles Dance and Elizabeth Tan. Find out more about the cast and plot of The Singapore Grip, and watch all six episodes on ITV Hub.
The Real Housewives of Jersey
Streaming now on ITV Hub
Or maybe you’re in the mood to binge some reality TV? The Real Housewives of Jersey is the perfect box set for fans of The Real Housewives of Chesire. Jam-packed with glamour and plenty of drama, this box set will have your weekend plans sorted. Watch the new season of The Real Housewives of Jersey on ITV Hub.
Love Island
Seasons 1 to 6 streaming on ITV Hub
From the 1st February, you’ll be able to enjoy seasons 1 to 6 of Love Island on ITV Hub, so get ready to escape those lockdown blues and head back to the villa.
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON MY5
All Creatures Great and Small
Streaming now on My5
The remake of the classic series follows James Herriot, a young veterinarian who has moved to the Yorkshire Dales to pursue his dream of working with animals in the late 1930s. Here, he creates new friendships in the small community, learning that treating the animals is as much about treating their owners. Watch All Creatures Great and Small now on My5, and check out our exclusive interviews with the stars, Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton.
Bellevue
Streaming now on My5
When a transgender teen goes missing in the blue-collar town of Bellevue, Detective Annie Ryder (Anna Paquin, True Blood) is on the case. Despite growing up in the small town, Detective Ryder has always been different from the locals, and now finds herself at odds with them as she begins to suspect people she’s known her whole life to be responsible. Tune into this eerie and thrilling small-town crime drama now, only on My5.
The Pillars of the Earth
Streaming now on My5
Based on Ken Follett’s novel of the same name, The Pillars of the Earth is set in 12th century England, and features big names such as Eddie Redmayne, Ian McShane and Matthew Macfadyen. On a backdrop of war, royal power struggles and religious discord, passionate love stories emerge which could tear the fragile kingdom apart.
Geordie Shore
Streaming now on My5
Or how does 12 seasons of Geordie Shore sound? Perfect for binge-watching, My5 has every drama-packed episode of Geordie Shore waiting for you for free, so get your TV snacks ready, you might be here for a while...
21 Jump Street
Streaming now on My5
Starring a very young Johnny Depp, My5 has four seasons of the iconic drama 21 Jump Street available to watch for free. It follows a team of youthful police officers who go undercover at high schools and colleges to crack cases related to young people without standing out. Enjoy!
Amazing Cakes and Bakes
Streaming now on My5
Time for some comfort TV to go with our comfort food... 🍰 Amazing Cakes and Bakes is the perfect telly for fans of Great British Bake Off, and celebrates some of the most delectable treats around. If you want to see a giant Jaffa Cake, a cake shaped like Freddie Mercury and a peek inside the Panacotta factory, then tune into Amazing Cakes and Bakes now on My5.
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON UKTV PLAY
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Stream now on UKTV Play
Dive right into this hit New Zealand detective drama on UKTV Play. Set in a small New Zealand country town, it follows Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd as he investigates local murder mysteries. Stream The Brokenwood Mysteries whenever you’re in the mood on UKTV Play.
Hypothetical
Stream now on UKTV Play
Hypothetically, how would you get a selfie with Nicholas Cage within just 48 hours to avoid dying? This is just one example of the hilarious hypotheticals comedian Josh Widdicombe poses to two teams of comedians in this side-splitting comedy panel show. Tune into Hypothetical on-demand on UKTV Play.
Expedition with Steve Backshall
Stream now on UKTV Play
Okay, you can’t leave the house, but you can pretend like you can by setting off on an adventure with Steve Backshall as he visits uncharted territories which have yet to be touched by mankind. From unexplored cave networks under the jungles of Mexico to a remote mountain in Greenland, follow Steve on his travels on UKTV Play, and see even more bonus footage in Expedition with Steve Backshall: Unpacked.
Meet the Richardsons
Stream now on UKTV Play
Starring real-life married couple comedians Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont, Meet the Richardsons is a (mostly) scripted comedy show based on their real marriage. Catch-up with Meet the Richardsons on UKTV Play.
Bangers & Cash
Stream now on UKTV Play
Bangers & Cash is one of our favourite feel-good comfort tv shows. Following the Mathewsons, a Yorkshire family of classic car auctioneers, Bangers & Cash sees the crew on their hunt for rare vehicles and the heartwarming stories behind each car they find and give a new lease of life. Watch the charming Bangers & Cash to your heart’s content on UKTV Play.
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON PRIME VIDEO
American Gods
Stream now on Prime Video
American Gods follows ex-convict Shadow Moon as he finds himself on a world he doesn’t understand, a world with new god-like technology. When Shadow meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, he discovers a world where magic is still real, but where the old gods still find themselves falling into irrelevance. Based on Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same name, this fantasy drama is a must-see for fans of Good Omens, and has new episodes for season 3 out every Monday. Watch American Gods now on Prime Video, and find out more about how to access the Prime Video app through Freesat.
This is Us
Stream now on Prime Video
In This is Us, three siblings go through their own unique struggles as they try to overcome a tragedy in their past and find their own versions of happiness. From the writer and directors of Crazy, Stupid, Love, this heartwarming hit is the perfect clever, modern comedy drama for you to dive into. Watch all 5 seasons of This is Us on Prime Video.
The Expanse, S5
Stream now on Prime Video
Set hundreds of years in the future, The Expanse is set in a world where the solar system is fully colonised and Mars has branched off to become an independent military power. Season 5 of The Expanse is now streaming on Prime Video every Wednesday, so catch up with the sci-fi must-see now.
The Grand Tour Presents...
Stream now on Prime Video
If you fondly remember watching Top Gear marathons, then The Grand Tour will suit you perfectly. The trio are back for a whole new adventure, travelling from the exotic island of Reunion to Madagascar for bizarre new challenges. Watch new season 4 episodes as well as the previous three seasons of The Grand Tour Presents on Prime Video.
The Wilds
Stream now on Prime Video
The Wilds is Prime Video’s new show which everyone is talking about. When a group of teenage girls find themselves stranded on a deserted island, they must overcome their differences as they fight to survive. As they begin to learn of each other’s secrets and past traumas, we slowly begin to see that these girls might not have ended up on the island by chance...
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON BRITBOX
Spitting Image
Streaming now on BritBox
This BritBox Original pokes fun at the news of today. From Boris to Prince Harry, no one is off limits for this satirical and iconic sketch show. Get ready to laugh with Spitting Image on BritBox today.*
*BritBox is currently only available on Freesat’s 4K TV Boxes and is a paid subscription service. To watch, simply go to the On Demand section of your box, create a BritBox account and start streaming the best of British telly. Find out more about the BritBox launch on Freesat.
Belgravia
Streaming now on BritBox
From Oscar-winning Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes, Belgravia is an irresistible Victorian drama starring Tamsin Grieg which steps into the social circles of the London elite. It’s not long before secrets and scandal threaten to damage the upstanding façade expected in high society...Tune into Belgravia now on BritBox.
World on Fire
Streaming now on BritBox
New to BritBox is World on Fire, a WWII epic which follows the lives of regular people at the start of the war in Europe and America. Starring Sean Bean, Lesley Manville and Helen Hunt, this tense and emotional drama will have you glued to the screen. Watch World of Fire on BritBox.
Doctor Who
Streaming now on BritBox
When you think of sci-fi, it’s impossible not to think of Doctor Who. You can now watch the entire early series from 1963 to 1989, meaning you can binge watch through the adventures of the first eight doctors. Enjoy this British classic now on BritBox.
The War of the Worlds
Streaming now on BritBox
Exclusive to BritBox, this three-part adaptation of HG Wells’ iconic sci-fi novel tells the tale of Martians invading Earth at the turn of the 20th century. Watch The War of the Worlds now on BritBox.
TOP PICKS FOR BOXSETS ON NETFLIX
Lupin
Watch now on Netflix
Follow the master of disguise as he plans an elaborate jewel heist to get revenge for his father’s betrayal. A modern retelling of the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin’s adventures, Lupin is a feel-good heist series which you’ll have a hard time not binging in one go. Watch Lupin now on Netflix.
Back to Life
Watch now on Netflix
After 18 long years in prison, a woman returns to her small hometown, but moving back in with her parents and reconnecting with the community who still hold onto old grudges isn’t making coming back to her old life easy. Perfect for fans of After Life, this dark comedy is as endearing as it is compelling. Watch Back to Life now on Netflix.
Bridgerton
Watch now on Netflix
This modern twist on a regency romance has proved irresistible to all of us over Christmas – some of us are even on our second watch! Full of romance, scandal and colour, Bridgerton is the feel-good box set of the season. Watch the addictive first season of Bridgerton now on Netflix, and when you’re done, check out our recommendations of what to watch now, because we guarantee you’ll be left wanting more!
Cobra Kai
Watch now on Netflix
34 years after the infamous events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, Johnny Lawrence is still trying to win back his good name by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo. If you’re a fan of the original Karate Kids movies, you need to watch this nostalgic series – and with the brand-new season 3 having just recently dropped, there’s even more episodes for you to enjoy. Give Cobra Kai a watch on Netflix, and check out what we think you should watch next when you’re done.
The Queen’s Gambit
Watch now on Netflix
The Queen’s Gambit was one of the hit shows of 2020, smashing records across the (chess) board – who knew a series about chess would be so thrilling?! Set during the Cold War in America, it follows the struggles of an orphaned chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, who fights her way to become the greatest chess player in the world, all while battling her own demons.
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