The first three seasons of The Affair, a psychological drama hailed by fans as a 'masterpiece' and the 'best TV show ever,' are now available to stream for free on ITVX. The series, which originally aired on Showtime from 2014 to 2019, follows the tumultuous romance between schoolteacher Noah Solloway (Dominic West) and bereaved waitress Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson), both married when they meet at the diner where Alison works.
Critical Acclaim and Narrative Innovation
ITVX's synopsis describes the show as a 'trailblazing psychological drama about desire, betrayal and the emotional fallout of an affair.' The series earned widespread praise for its exploration of complex relationships and its groundbreaking narrative technique, portraying events from multiple characters' perspectives—a method inspired by filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi, The Affair ran for five seasons, concluding in 2019.
Fan Reactions on IMDb
Fans have taken to IMDb to express their admiration. One viewer awarded a perfect score, calling it 'best tv show ever' and adding: 'They don't make tv shows like this. This is drama at its best. Superb writing and cast of actors, so much talent in this one show. I wished there were 10 seasons.' Another described it as a 'beautiful story of cause & effects,' noting the final season 'deeply ties up the entire series in a nice well done bow.'
A third fan called it an 'absolute masterpiece,' highlighting that 'every word matters and the only one so deeply psychological and thrilling at the same time. I watch everything, but The Affair is the only thing during which I switch off my phone.' A fourth added: 'I was sucked in immediately and ended up binge watching this series! Very good acting and what I love about it is, the depiction of every character's different perspectives in each episode.'
Streaming Availability
In March 2026, the first three seasons of The Affair were added to ITVX, where viewers can stream them for free with adverts. ITVX has announced that season 4 will arrive in summer 2026, with season 5 following in 2027. All five seasons are also available on Paramount+, and individual episodes can be purchased on YouTube.
