We’re calling it: 2021 has been, and will continue to be, a truly excellent year for TV.

Despite filming delays brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it seems a whole host of brilliant new TV shows will be coming to our screens this summer and beyond, and we genuinely can’t wait to sink our teeth into them all/

There’s crime thriller The Rig, as well as the much-anticipated second season of Aisling Bea’s This Way Up. Gossip Girl, too, will be getting a reboot for 2021, while The Confessions Of Frannie Langton looks set to be a must-watch for armchair detectives everywhere.

Elsewhere, we have Amazon Prime’s Kevin Can F**k Himself, Netflix’s Inventing Anna, and a third instalment of Penn Badgley’s You to sink our teeth into. And let’s not forget that there are some excellent adaptations in the works, too: think JP Delaney’s The Girl Before, Adam Kay’s This Is Going To Hurt, and Sally Rooney’s Conversations With Friends, to name but three.

With that in mind, then, these are some of the best new TV shows to look out for this year.

Please note that this article will be updated regularly to include new titles.

Kevin Can F**k Himself

Already shaping up to be one of the best shows of the year, Kevin Can F*** Himself “explores the secret life of a woman we all grew up watching: the sitcom wife. A beauty paired with a less attractive, dismissive, caveman-like husband who gets to be a jerk because she’s a nag and he’s ‘funny’.

“Alternating between single-camera realism and multi-camera zaniness, the series asks: ‘What happens when this supporting character is presented as a real person? And what if that person is pissed?’”

With Annie Murphy in the lead, and rave reviews from the US already, we can’t wait to binge this one.

Catch up with Kevin Can F**k Himself on Amazon Prime Video now.

The North Water

Based on the acclaimed novel by Ian McGuire, this five-part series tells the story of Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as ship’s doctor on a whaling expedition to the Arctic. 

However, the ferocity of the elements is matched by the violence of his crew mates, with Drax (Colin Farrell), a harpooner and distinctly brutal force of nature. As the true purpose of the expedition becomes clear, confrontation between the two men erupts, taking them on a journey far from solid ground and beyond the safe moorings of civilisation.

Catch up with The North Water on BBC iPlayer now.

Hollington Drive

Hollington Drive focuses on the lives of two suburban sisters, Theresa (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Helen (Rachael Stirling), who – from the outside, at least – appear to be very close indeed. And, when Theresa invites Helen and her family over for a barbecue, it seems like just another perfect summer’s evening for the duo.

Everything changes, though, when Theresa’s 10-year-old son asks to play in the nearby park with his cousin, Eva.

As per ITV’s press release for the series: “When the children don’t return on time, Theresa goes in search… [and] finds the children on the edge of a woodland area, where they appear to be fighting. Immediately her instincts tell her something terrible has happened.”

It’s not long at all before Theresa’s distraught neighbour, Jean, is rushing round to inform everyone that her own 10-year-old son has gone missing. How are the two scenarios connected, though? And what role (if any) did Theresa’s family have in the child’s disappearance?

Catch up with Hollington Drive on ITV Hub now.

The Morning Show: Season 2

The much-anticipated second season of The Morning Show picks up exactly where the first left off; UBA’s national feed has cut to a test pattern following Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) and Alex (Jennifer Aniston)’s announcement.

“Picking up after the explosive events of season one, season two finds the Morning Show team emerging from the wreckage of Alex and Bradley’s actions, to a new UBA and a world in flux, where identity is everything and the chasm between who we present as and who we really are comes into play,” promises the show’s official synopsis.

Catch up with The Morning Show season 2 on Apple TV+ now.

Cruel Summer

This psychological thriller from Jessica Biel’s production company is described as an “unconventional series” told from alternating POVs, a format which will see the show’s mystery unveiled piece by piece.

According to the official synopsis, Cruel Summer takes place over three summers from 1993-1995 in a small Texas town when a “beautiful and popular” local teen called Kate goes missing.

At the same time, a seemingly unrelated girl called Jeanette goes from being an “awkward outlier” to the most popular girl in town. However, that doesn’t last long, as by the summer of 1995, she is the most despised person in America.

Catch up with Cruel Summer on Amazon Prime Video now.

Ridley Road

Based on Jo Bloom’s novel of the same name, Ridley Road tells the story of a young Jewish woman who goes undercover at a fascist organisation in ’60s London.

“When Vivien Epstein (Aggi O’Casey) follows her lover into danger and he is caught between life and death, she finds herself going undercover with the fascists, not only for him but for the sake of her country,” reads the BBC’s synopsis of the four-part drama.

Catch up with Ridley Road on BBC iPlayer now.

Angela Black

Joanne Froggatt teams up with the writers behind the hugely popular Liar to bring this new psychological thriller.

Angela Black follows the story of a woman whose suburban London life looks idyllic with her husband, Oliver, and their two sons. However, beneath this façade, Angela is actually the victim of domestic abuse. She is approached out of the blue by a private investigator called Ed, who spills Olivier’s darkest secrets. And when faced with some horrifying truths about her husband, a stunned Angela is left reeling.

Angela’s life switches from school runs to private detectives and buried secrets as she risks everything she holds dear to fight back against the man who has suppressed and tormented her for most of her life.

Catch up with Angela Black on ITV Hub now.

Vigil

Over the course of six episodes, BBC One drama Vigil follows the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board a Trident nuclear submarine, which brings the police into conflict with the Navy and British security services.

DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) leads an investigation on land and at sea into a conspiracy that threatens the very heart of Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

Rose Leslie and Martin Compston will also star in the drama, which is being made by the same people behind Line Of Duty and Bodyguard.

Catch up with Vigil on BBC iPlayer now.

Deceit

Based on true events, Deceit (previously known as My Name Is Lizzie) enters a dysfunctional world, where a female undercover officer, codename ‘Lizzie James’ (Niamh Algar), is asked to become sexual bait for a suspected killer.

As per Channel 4’s synopsis: “Five months on from the murder of Rachel Nickell, and The Met Police are still no closer to capturing the man they’re convinced is responsible.

“First identified through a BBC Crimewatch appeal, the evidence is stacked against Colin Stagg. The media feed a national obsession, covering every detail of the case and demanding justice. The police are determined to catch the man who, in their eyes, is guilty before he kills again.

“In desperation, the relatively young Detective Inspector leading the case, engages the nation’s most famous criminal profiler to devise a bold undercover operation which will see an attractive, young female officer start a relationship with Colin Stagg.”

And the result? One of the most controversial cases in police history.

Catch up with Deceit on All 4 now.

The Chair

The Chair, as you may have guessed from the title, follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) as she navigates her new role as the Chair of the English department at Pembroke.

“Ji-Yoon is faced with a unique set of challenges as the first woman to chair the department, and as one of the few staff members of colour at the university,” promises the official Netflix synopsis for the series, which has been created by Game Of Thrones bosses David Benioff and DB Weiss.

Catch up with The Chair on Netflix now.

Stephen

Based on real life events, Stephen “tells the story of the ongoing struggle by Doreen and Neville Lawrence to achieve justice and how a detective, DCI Clive Driscoll – working closely with the Lawrences – puts together an investigation that finally secures the convictions of two of the gang who committed the murder of Stephen.” 

Catch up with Stephen on ITV Hub now.

Only Murders In The Building

Only Murders In The Building follows three strangers (Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short) who – much like basically everyone in the entire world, if Netflix’s Top 10 list is to be believed – are utterly obsessed with true crime. They soon realise, though, that playing armchair detective is infinitely more enjoyable when… well, when a) there’s a TV screen separating you from all the gore and guts, and b) there’s an actual armchair involved. 

As per the show’s official synopsis: “When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth.

“As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building which stretch back years… [but] perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another.”

It finishes starkly: “Soon, the endangered trio comes to realise a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.”

Catch up with Only Murders In The Building on Disney+ now.

The Girl Before

The Girl Before is based on JP Delaney’s bestselling book of the same name, and tells the story of Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a woman who, while looking for a place to rent, stumbles upon the “rental opportunity of a lifetime.” 

That’s right; she can move into a luxurious, ultra-minimalist house known as ‘One Folgate Street’, as long as she abides by a long list of exacting rules laid out by her landlord, an “enigmatic architect.”

However, when she makes the shocking discovery that her predecessor Emma died in the house, she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities…

Release date: The Girl Before doesn’t yet have an official release date, but the BBC has confirmed that the show will be debuting at some point in 2021 (likely later in December).

You Don’t Know Me

Based on Imran Mahmood’s bestselling novel, You Don’t Know Me centres on a young man, who, with overwhelming evidence against him, stands accused of murder.

At his trial, Hero (Samuel Adewunmi) tells an extraordinary story. It is about the woman he loves, Kyra (Sophie Wilde) who got into terrible trouble. It’s about how he risked everything to save her. He swears he’s innocent. But in the end, all that matters is this: do you believe him?  

Release date: You Don’t Know Me will air later on 5 December on BBC One and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 

Gone For Good

Based on the book by mystery and thriller writer Harlan Coben, Netflix’s Gone For Good revolves around Guillaume Lucchesi (Finnegan Oldfield), who thought he had drawn a line under the terrible tragedy which saw the two people he loved the most die: Sonia (Garance Marillier), his first love, and Fred (Nicolas Duvauchelle), his brother.

Ten years later, Judith (Nailia Harzoune), whose love has made his life worth living again, suddenly disappears during his mother’s funeral. To find her, Guillaume will have to face all the truths that were hidden from him by his family and friends, as well as those that he’d long decided to ignore.

For better, but mostly for worse…

Catch up with Gone For Good on Netflix now. 

Landscapers

Inspired by real events, Landscapers brings us the story of mild-mannered Susan (Olivia Colman) and her husband, and asks us how they came to kill Susan’s parents and bury them in the back garden of their Mansfield home, in a crime that remained undiscovered for over a decade.

Based on extensive research, hours of interviews and direct access to the accused, who have always protested their innocence of murder, this Sky Atlantic and NOW TV drama promises to be a darkly comic affair.

Release date: Landscapers will premiere on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW on Tuesday 7 December.

My Name Is Leon

An adaptation of Kit de Waal’s internationally best-selling novel, My Name Is Leon is told through the eyes of Leon (Cole Martin), a nine-year-old boy who is on a quest to reunite his family after being taken into care.

Although his foster carer Maureen, with her wild hair and potty mouth, treats him well, Leon still longs to be back with his mum and younger brother, Jake. So he goes on a journey to figure out more about the world, about love and about what family really means – all with his favourite action figure Sergeant Smith by his side.

Release date: My Name Is Leon will air on BBC One on 5 December and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer after. 

Nine Perfect Strangers

Adapted from Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name, Nine Perfect Strangers takes us to Tranquillum House, a remote health retreat run by a mysterious Russian woman named Masha (Nicole Kidman).

It is here that nine strangers, with very little in common, gather for a 10-day-long retreat. As you’ve probably guessed, though, their path to enlightenment doesn’t run smoothly.

And it isn’t long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question: should I run while I still can?

Catch up with Nine Perfect Strangers on Amazon Prime Video now.

The Rig

Amazon Prime’s The Rig is a star-studded new thriller (think Martin Compston, Iain Glen, Rochenda Sandall, and Owen Teale) that will be directed by Line Of Duty and Bodyguard’s John Strickland.

The series follows the crew of the Kishorn Bravo oil rig, which is stationed off the Scottish coast in the dangerous waters of the North Sea.

“When the crew are due to return to the mainland, a mysterious and all-enveloping fog rolls through and they find themselves cut off from all communication with the shore and the outside world,” promises the official synopsis.

“As they endeavour to discover what’s driving this force, bonds are broken, allegiances formed and generational fault lines exposed. The crew of the Bravo will be driven to the limits of both their loyalties and their endurance, into a confrontation with forces beyond their imagination.”

Release date: The Rig is predicted to premiere in the winter of 2021.

You: Season 3

At the end of You season two, murderous Joe (Penn Badgley) and just-as-bad Love (Victoria Pedretti) moved out to the suburbs to raise their baby together. The final scene, though, saw Joe peeking through his garden fence and watching his neighbour read a book.

“This is just the beginning. Because this is where I had to be exactly where I had to be to meet You,” he said.

“There you were with your books and your sunshine, so close but worlds away. I will figure out a way. A way to get to you. See you soon, neighbour.”

We have a feeling things are going to get even creepier in season three…

Catch up with You on Netflix now.

Lie With Me

“Lie With Me is centred on the chilling tale of Anna and her family, who move to Australia after infidelity rocks her marriage,” promises the official synopsis for this Channel 5 thriller.

“They hire Becky, a young local nanny who isn’t as innocent as she appears, and deadly consequences follow.”

Catch up with Lie With Me on My5 now.

Grace

This highly-anticipated crime drama (an adaptation of Peter James’ award-winning novels) sees John Simm take on the role of tenacious detective Roy Grace. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his beloved wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts, and his unorthodox police methods have come under scrutiny. Again. Cue Richie Campbell’s DS Glenn Branson stepping in and calling upon Grace for help with a mysterious case about a missing bridegroom. Due to the success of Grace’s success this year, three additional films based off of the novels have been confirmed: Dead Man’s Footsteps, Dead Tomorrow and Not Dead Enough.

Catch up with Grace: Dead Simple on ITV Hub now.

Sex Education: Season 3

Netflix’s Sex Education will be back with a third season this autumn. And, while no official plot synopsis has been announced, it’s safe to predict that the new episodes will focus heavily on Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve’s relationship.

After Otis and Ola (Patricia Allison) called it a day and he sent a voice message to Maeve (Emma Mackey) confessing his love for her, we were sure we’d get a happy ending.

But Isaac (George Robinson), who’s been crushing on Maeve since forever, decided to throw a spanner in the works and delete Otis’ message before Maeve could listen to it.

Will the starstruck lovers get it together in season three? Your guess is as good as ours, quite frankly.

Catch up with Sex Education on Netflix now.

The Witcher: Season 2

Netflix’s official synopsis for The Witcher’s second season reads: “Convinced Yennefer’s (Anya Chalotra) life was lost at the Battle of Sodden, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) brings Princess Cirilla to the safest place he knows, his childhood home of Kaer Morhen.

“While the Continent’s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.”

Release date: The Witcher will return on 17 December on Netflix.

The Outlaws

The Outlaws follows seven strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a Community Payback sentence in Bristol.

“At first, they seem like archetypes we can easily pigeonhole,” explains the show’s official synopsis, “but gradually we see behind their façades, understand their hidden depths and what made them the people they are today.

“We are reminded that no one is all good or all bad. Everyone has a story.”

Catch up with The Outlaws on BBC iPlayer now.

The Shrink Next Door

Based on real-life events, this dark comedy (starring Paul Rudd, Katherine Hahn, and Will Ferrell) explores what happens when Dr Isaac “Ike” Herschkopfl used his position of power to manipulate his patient, Marty Markowitz, and take over his life, isolating him from everyone else he holds dear.

“The series explores how a seemingly normal doctor-patient dynamic morphs into an exploitative relationship filled with manipulation, power grabs, and dysfunction at its finest,” reads the synopsis for The Shrink Next Door.

Catch up with The Shrink Next Door on Apple TV+ now, with one new episode dropping weekly, every Friday through to December.

The Staircase

Based on books and reports on the famous true case, The Staircase begins when Michael Peterson (Colin Firth) rings 911 to report an accident; his wife, Kathleen (Toni Colette), has died after falling down the stairs at their home, he says. 

When police arrive on the scene, however, it’s not long before they begin to suspect that Michael had orchestrated the murder and staged her death to look accidental.

Sophie Turner is also set to star in the HBO series.

Release date: TBC on HBO.

This Way Up: Season 2

Channel 4 has confirmed that the second season of Aisling Bea’s honest, warm and downright hilarious comedy-drama This Way Up will be returning to our screens later this month.

“Aine’s starting to leave her time in rehab behind and live less cautiously, which may not be entirely wise,” reads the official synopsis. “Will she and Richard make a cheeky go of it? Or continue to exist in the odd tension of the employer-employee dynamic? Or is emotional risk the ‘sexy’ bit?”

Catch up with This Way Up season 2 on All4 now.

The Chestnut Man

Set in Copenhagen, Netflix’s The Chestnut Man plunges us headfirst into a terrifying murder investigation. A body has been found in a children’s playground – with one of its hands missing. And, hanging above the body is the killer’s calling card; a “chestnut man” – basically a handmade doll made of matchsticks and two chestnuts. Cue a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse, as detectives fight to unmask the killer before it’s too late…

Catch up with The Chestnut Man on Netflix now.

Colin In Black And White

Emmy winner Ava DuVernay’s new series will chart the life of NFL player and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick, who made global headlines when he began kneeling during the national anthem at sports games as a form of protest.

“With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,” says DuVernay.

“Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix.”

Catch up with Colin In Black And White on Netflix now.

Emily In Paris: Season 2

Netflix’s Emily In Paris is, as suspected, getting a second season. And, while creator Darren Star admits that he hasn’t thought about where all the different characters will end up, he has promised that the new episodes will see Lily James’ Emily come into her own.

“In season two, she’s going to be more of a part of the fabric of the world she’s living in. She’ll be more of a resident of the city,” he told Oprah Magazine.

“She’ll have her feet on the ground a little more. She’s making a life there.”

Release date: Emily In Paris season two will be available to stream on Netflix on 22 December.

The Time-Traveller’s Wife 

Based on Audrey Niffenegger’s novel of the same name, this new series – another from Steven Moffatt – is all about a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and about Clare, his wife, who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences of reappearing in odd places.

It’s been confirmed that Rose Leslie and Theo James will star in the lead roles. 

Release date: Sky Atlantic has yet to reveal a release date for this one.

We Are Lady Parts

We Are Lady Parts seamlessly blends together four Muslim women’s love affair with punk rock, as seen through the eyes of Amina Hussein (Anjana Vasan), a geeky PhD student who is recruited to be the eponymous band’s unlikely lead guitarist.

Catch up with We Are Lady Parts on All 4 now.

Mare Of Easttown

Kate Winslet’s nerve-jangling detective drama tells the story of Mare Sheehan, a detective in a small Pennsylvania town who carries the weight of fading hometown glory on her shoulders.

When she is assigned to investigate the murder of a young girl, the line between her personal life and professional duties soon begins to blur, and it’s not long before she finds herself struggling to stop her world from falling apart around her.

As the show’s official synopsis puts it, Mare Of Easttown is an “exploration into the dark side of a close community and an authentic examination of how family and past tragedies can define our present.”

Catch up with Mare Of Easttown on NOW.

Starstruck

Written by and starring Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning comedian, writer and actor Rose Matafeo, Starstruck tells the story of Jessie, a millennial woman living in East London juggling two dead-end jobs.

However, things get out of control when Jessie finds herself in a rather unusual ‘morning-after-the-night-before’ type situation when she realises that she accidentally slept with a famous film star called Tom (played by Nikesh Patel).

As the first episode’s synopsis reads: “A drunken New Year’s Eve hook-up becomes far more complicated for Jessie when she discovers her one night stand is actually a film star. What she thought would become an amusing anecdote soon turns into something else.” 

Catch up with Starstruck on BBC iPlayer now.

Finding Alice

In Finding Alice, Keeley Hawes plays a woman going through a “honest, raw, blackly comic journey of grief” after her husband of 20 years falls down the stairs of their dream house and… well, and dies.

However, she soon realises that Harry left behind a storm of secrets, debt and criminality for her to clean up.

ITV teases: “Men have a habit of hiding stuff that they don’t want to deal with, and Alice discovers that Harry was worse than most.”

Catch up with Finding Alice on ITV hub now.

Inside No. 9

Inside No. 9 has been merrily weaving a dark and twisted path for a long time now, but Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s critically acclaimed anthology series remains as fresh and provocative as ever. And the latest season, boasting cameos from the likes of Gemma Whelan, Adrian Dunbar and Sian Clifford, is a corker.

Catch up with Inside No. 9 on BBC iPlayer now.

The Pembrokeshire Murders

Adapted from the true-crime book Catching The Bullseye Killer, The Pembrokeshire Murders sees newly-promoted Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins (Luke Evans) take it upon himself to reopen two unsolved double murders from the 1980s.

Employing pioneering forensic methods, Wilkins and his handpicked team soon uncover microscopic DNA and fibres that potentially link the murders to a string of burglaries committed in the 80s and 90s.

The perpetrator of these crimes, though, is already in prison and nearing the end of his sentence. Will DS Wilkins and his team find the evidence they need to keep the killer behind bars?

Catch up with The Pembrokeshire Murders on ITV Hub now.

Call The Midwife

Call The Midwife’s 10th season seamlessly blends social history, women’s rights and matters of the heart, culminating in one of the greatest series finales yet.

Catch up with Call The Midwife on BBC iPlayer now.

It’s A Sin

Russell T Davies has joined forces with Channel 4 to bring us the searing tale of It’s A Sin. The five-part drama will examine the lives of a group of young gay men who are hit by the outbreak of a new deadly virus, HIV, after they move to London during the 1980s.

In a statement, Channel 4 said: “Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin are young lads, strangers at first, leaving home at 18 and heading off to London in 1981 with hope and ambition and joy… and walking straight into a plague that most of the world ignores.

“Year by year, episode by episode, their lives change, as the mystery of a new virus starts as a rumour, then a threat, then a terror, and then something that binds them together in the fight.

“It’s the story of their friends, lovers and families too, especially Jill, the girl who loves them and helps them, and galvanises them in the battles to come. Together they will endure the horror of the epidemic, the pain of rejection and the prejudices that gay men faced throughout the decade.”

Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, and Keeley Hawes will lead the drama.

Catch up with It’s A Sin on All 4 now.

The Bay: Season 2

The second outing of The Bay will see Morven Christie reprise her role as police family liaison officer DS Lisa Armstrong as we return to Morecambe Bay for a brand-new case.

According to ITV’s announcement about the second series, “After dealing with the repercussions of her actions from last year, DC Lisa Armstrong is given the opportunity to step up when asked to assist a murder investigation in Morecambe.”

Catch up with The Bay: Season 2 on ITV Hub now.

The Serpent

The Serpent, which stars Tahar Rahim as French conman and mass murderer Charles Sobhraj, is based on the true story of how he was caught and brought to trial.

The BBC drama follows Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle), a junior diplomat from the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok as he unwittingly walks into the web of crime that leads him to chase down the murderer in the twilight years of the Asian Hippie Trail.

Jenna Coleman also stars as Sobhraj’s partner and frequent accomplice, Marie-Andrée Leclerc – suggesting she may have been coerced and manipulated into abetting him.

Catch up with The Serpent on BBC iPlayer and Netflix now.

A Teacher

 A Teacher follows the story of Claire (Kate Mara), a new teacher at Westerbrook High School in Texas.

Claire married her sweetheart straight out of college, and she’s grown dissatisfied with the slow and steady relationship. And so when one of her students begins to take an interest in her, she begins to revel in it.

Eric (Nick Robinson), you see, is the sort of teenager his classmates all aspire to be. He’s the captain of the soccer team, he’s popular, he’s handsome, and his life seems entirely perfect… on the surface, that is. Because, while he puts on a front, Eric is struggling to juggle the pressures of school, applying for college and a part-time job, all while helping take care of his two younger brothers.

At first, it seems as if the connection between student and teacher has nothing more than the makings of an innocent friendship. Over time, though, their relationship shifts, becoming something far more dangerous… and damaging.

Catch up with A Teacher on BBC iPlayer now.

The Great

Channel 4’s The Great is, surprise, all about Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning). As in, yes, the longest-reigning female ruler in Russian history. But, while we may think we know everything there is to know about the so-called “Messalina of the Neva”, this show winds things back to when she was just Catherine the Teenage Outsider, shipped into a strange country for an arranged – and extremely ill-fated – marriage to Emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult).

Much like The Favourite before it, The Great keeps up a deliciously sardonic tone throughout. And, whether layered over scenes of searing drama or utter mayhem, it’s this which gives the show its edge.

This writer caught the series when it aired on Starzplay earlier this year, and rest assured that Fanning’s portrayal of a mutinous young woman on the brink of greatness feels wholly relatable, too. Especially if you’ve ever been manterrupted mid-meeting.

Catch up with The Great on All 4 now.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK

Season two of the UK spin-off of RuPaul’s Drag Race is just around the corner. To date, the queens have all been confirmed, and a fierce line-up of celebrity judges is slowly being revealed, which includes the likes of Dawn French, Maya Jama, Jessie Ware, Lorraine Kelly, Sheridan Smith, Elizabeth Hurley, MNEK and Jourdan Dunn.

Sickening, right?

Catch up with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on BBC iPlayer now.

Soulmates

This Amazon Prime anthology series is set approximately 15 years in the future when a company has developed a test that can determine the person you were most meant to love with 100% accuracy.

Catch up with Soulmates on Amazon Prime now.

Wandavision

Marvel fans will definitely want to check out Wandavision, which is due to hit Disney Plus in January. The show sees superheroes Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) living idyllic suburban lives. 

However, they quickly come to suspect that there is something incredibly sinister going on – and, considering (spoiler) Vision died at the end of Avengers: Endgame, we’re tempted to agree with them. Just be sure to stock up on tissues for that killer finale.

Catch up with Wandavision on Disney+ now.

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 4

The Handmaid’s Tale is now back on Channel 4 in 2021, and, this time, it takes us far beyond Gilead’s reach.

“We’re really stretching the limits of our capabilities, production-wise, and we’re on the move a lot,” explains Elisabeth Moss, who plays the show’s eponymous handmaid, Offred/June.

“We’re not sitting in a studio between four walls very much, so it really is a bigger season and that’s taken a little [longer].”

This, alongside the explosive trailer above, makes two things abundantly clear. Firstly, June is no longer confined to her Commander’s house: she’s on the move, and none of the agents in Gilead’s theocratic society know where she is or what she’s planning.

Secondly, June has an army of her own, and the uniform of her loyal soldiers isn’t just red, but green and even blue. She has powerful allies, too, on her side. And she is a force to be reckoned with.

Especially as she knows, at long last, that she truly does have the power to do something big.

Catch up with The Handmaid’s Tale on All 4 now. 

The Pursuit Of Love

Set in Europe between the two World Wars, the BBC’s adaptation of The Pursuit Of Love chronicles the misadventures of the fearless Linda Radlett (Lily James) and her daring quest to find true love at any cost.

While Linda’s heart takes her all over Europe, though, her best friend and cousin, Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham), decides to stay in England and follow a more conventional path.

And, as previously reported by Stylist, it’s not long before their diverging choices raise personal questions that remain intensely relevant today – questions about freedom, about love and sex, and the mystery of the human heart.

Catch up on The Pursuit Of Love via BBC iPlayer now.

Line Of Duty: Season 6

Line Of Duty made many a headline (and meme) when it returned for an explosive sixth season earlier this year, with Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar reprising their roles as the cops running AC-12.n And, while the finale wasn’t exactly well received, there’s no denying it was a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Catch up on Line Of Duty season 6 via BBC iPlayer now.

Anne Boleyn

Starring Jodie Turner-Smith, Anne Boleyn “shines a feminist light on the final months of Boleyn’s life, re-imagining her struggle with Tudor England’s patriarchal society, her desire to secure a future for her daughter, Elizabeth, and the brutal reality of her failure to provide Henry with a male heir”.

Catch up with Anne Boleyn on My 5 now.

Time

A prisoner consumed by guilt, an officer with an impossible choice. What does it take to survive? A tense story of punishment and principles, starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham.

Catch up with Time on BBC iPlayer now.

Firefly Lane

Starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke, Netflix’s Firefly Lane tells the story of two inseparable best friends as they transition from high school to young adulthood to middle-age. And, as such, it weaves a poignant, powerful story about women, the magic of connection, and the female friendships that become the bulkhead of their lives.

You can stream Firefly Lane via Netflix now.

Behind Her Eyes

Netflix’s adaptation of Sarah Pinborough’s novel, Behind Her Eyes, follows single mother Louise (Simona Brown) who has an affair with psychiatrist boss David (Tom Bateman), before unexpectedly becoming friends with his wife Adele (Eve Hewson).

It’s only natural, then, that Louise soon “finds herself caught in a web of secrets and lies where nothing is what it seems.”

You can stream Behind Her Eyes via Netflix now.

Lupin: Seasons 1 and 2

This wild ride of a drama series will have you second-guessing everything as you watch. Lupin follows the main character, Assane, on his quest for revenge against Hubert Pellegrini who has torn his family to pieces. 

The synopsis states: “With his back to the wall, he now has to think of a new plan, even if it means putting himself in danger.”

Catch up with Lupin on Netflix now.

Maid

Netflix’s Maid has been the hit series that’s shown us tricky mother-daughter relationships and even, made us appreciate our single mothers more. The official synopsis states:

“Inspired by the New York Times best-selling memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land, Maid follows the story of Alex, a single mother who turns to housecleaning to — barely — make ends meet as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy. Seen through the emotional yet humorous lens of a desperate but determined woman, this series is a raw and inspiring exploration of a mother’s resilience.”

Catch up with Maid on Netflix now.

Squid Game

Squid Game is the standout hit for Netflix this year, there’s no doubt about it. The hit Korean drama hit 111 million views in just 28 days and has just been confirmed for a second season. 

The series tells the story of 456 contestants who compete in mysterious games with deadly consequences for a huge financial reward. With each round based on a traditional Korean childhood game, it seems as though the money could easily be won. However, with in-fighting, psychological trauma and desperation spurring many on, numbers quickly dwindle.

Catch up on Squid Game now on Netflix. 

Clickbait

Having only dropped onto Netflix in August this year, Clickbait quickly became the gripping thriller drama worthy of weekend-long bingewatching.

When family man Nick Brewer (played by Adrian Grenier) is abducted in a crime with a sinister online twist, those closest to him race to uncover who is behind it and why. It’s full of twists, turns and make sure you pay attention to those small details, we promise it’s worth it.

Catch up on Clickbait on Netflix now.

Midnight Mass

From The Haunting Of Hill House creator Mike Flanagan, Midnight Mass “tells the tale of a small, isolated island community whose existing divisions are amplified by the return of a disgraced young man (Zach Gilford) and the arrival of a charismatic priest (Hamish Linklater). 

“When Father Paul’s appearance on Crockett Island coincides with unexplained and seemingly miraculous events, a renewed religious fervor takes hold of the community – but do these miracles come at a price?”

Impeachment: American Crime Story

Impeachment: American Crime Story is the latest installment of the award-winning series. This time round, it examines the national crisis that led to the first impeachment of a US President – Bill Clinton – in over a century through the eyes of the women at the center of the events: Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp and Paula Jones. 

As the synopsis states: “All three were thrust into the public spotlight during a time of corrosive partisan rancor, shifting sexual politics and a changing media landscape.”

Catch up with Impeachment: American Crime Story on BBC iPlayer now.

Scenes From A Marriage

Scenes From A Marriage is the chemistry-fuelled drama unpacking the disasters that knowing someone intimately can bring forth. The five-part series is fronted by Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac and is a remake of the 1973 Ingmar Bergman mini-series of the same name, this time written and directed by Hagai Levi (The Affair).

It follows husband and wife Jonathan and Mira as their marriage breaks apart but looks intimately at how their contemporary relationship came to unfold over the years. It’s full of impassioned acting, a semi-claustrophobic setting and lots of room to contemplate how love exists in the world.

Catch up with Scenes From A Marriage on NOW.

Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad is the limited Amazon Prime Video series created and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. The series combines both historical fiction and magical realism to give us a thought-provoking look back in time.

The synopsis states that it is “a new series that chronicles Cora Randall’s desperate bid for freedom in the Antebellum South. After escaping a Georgia plantation for the rumored Underground Railroad, Cora discovers no mere metaphor, but an actual railroad beneath the Southern soil.”

Catch up with Underground Railroad on Amazon Prime Video now.

Showtrial

Taking the primetime BBC One Sunday night slot this autumn has been Showtrial. From the producers of beloved dramas Line Of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil, the drama series follows the high-profile fictional court case of millionaire heiress Talitha Campbell and her solicitor Cleo Roberts. 

Set in the present day, Talitha stands accused of the conspiracy to commit murder. Rather than rely on her father’s fortunes and flashy legal team, she opts for the on-duty solicitor provided by the courts, Cleo. It’s full of slow-burning tension – perfect to cosy up with on a cold evening in.

Catch up with Showtrial now on BBC iPlayer.

Insecure 

After being a fan-favourite for the past five seasons, unfortunately we have to bid goodbye to Issa Rae’s excellent Insecure in this final fifth series. The comedy follows the trials and tribulations of two best friends, Molly (played by Yvonne Orji) and Issa, as they navigate romance, jobs and all the other hilarious mishaps of being thirty-something.

With exes floating around, a new career path being carved out and just general life awkwardness, Insecure is guaranteed to leave you with sore cheeks after laughing a little too hard.

Catch up with Insecure on NOW.

The Wheel Of Time

Based on Robert Jordan’s bestselling fantasy saga of the same name, Amazon Prime’s magical new TV adaptation of The Wheel Of Time stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, a member of “an incredibly powerful all-female organisation called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers,” according to the official synopsis.

“There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.”

Catch up on The Wheel Of Time on Amazon Prime Video now.

A Very British Scandal

Claire Foy is set to hit our screens incredibly soon as Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, in A Very British Scandal.

The official synopsis states: “Famed for her charisma, beauty and style, Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, dominated the front pages as a divorce featuring accusations of forgery, theft, violence, drug-taking, secret recording, bribery and an explicit polaroid picture all played out in the white-hot glare of the 1960s media.

“A Very British Scandal turns this scandal inside out in order to explore the social and political climate of post-war Britain, looking at attitudes towards women, and asking whether institutional misogyny was widespread at the time.”

Release date: The series currently does not have an official release date but is rumoured to premiere on BBC One this December.

Hawkeye

Marvel and Christmas collide together in Disney Plus’ latest series offering, Hawkeye. Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, the new series is set in “post-blip New York City”. 

The official synopsis states: “Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a super hero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.”

Catch up with Hawkeye on Disney Plus now.

Swan Song

According to Apple TV+’s official synopsis, this emotionally-charged film is set in the near future and will take us a powerful journey. Starring Mahershala Ali as Cameron, a loving husband and father diagnosed with a terminal illness, he is “presented with an alternative solution by his doctor (Glenn Close) to shield his family from grief. As Cam grapples with whether or not to alter his family’s fate, he learns more about life and love than he ever imagined.

“Swan Song explores how far we will go, and how much we’re willing to sacrifice, to make a happier life for the people we love.”

Release date: Swan Song will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on 17 December.