Streaming Services Overload: A Curated Guide to Must-Watch Series
With an ever-growing array of streaming platforms, from Apple TV to the upcoming HBO Max, finding quality content can be a daunting task. The Guide's fourth edition of A Show for Every Streamer tackles this challenge head-on, offering a meticulously curated selection of series across all major services. This annual recap avoids overhyped titles to spotlight lesser-known gems and surprising picks that deserve your attention.
Apple TV: Drops of God
Apple TV continues its trend of high-end programming with Drops of God, a Japanese-American-French drama centered on warring wine experts. The first season followed a daughter and a mentee battling for a multimillion-dollar wine collection, while season two, released in January, sees them team up to investigate a mysterious red wine bottle. It's a curious yet fitting addition to Apple's premium lineup.
BBC iPlayer: Classic Le Carré Adaptations
While new BBC series like Small Prophets and Industry receive ample praise, iPlayer offers a treasure trove of classics. Both Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley's People, the peerless late 70s-early 80s adaptations featuring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, are now streaming in full, providing a masterclass in espionage drama.
Channel 4: Faking It and Documentary Archive
Channel 4's online archive is a rich resource for classic documentaries, from early Nick Broomfield works to Dispatches and Cutting Edge strands. The charming career-swap series Faking It, recently revived and cancelled by Channel 5, remains a delightful watch, highlighting the channel's lighter reality-doc fare.
Channel 5: The X Files Complete Collection
Despite past controversies, Channel 5 offers the entire The X Files series, including the ill-advised reboot, on its streaming service. Viewers should heed warnings to avoid episodes like the banned Home before bedtime, but the collection is a comprehensive dive into sci-fi history.
Disney+: Wonder Man
Wonder Man on Disney+ breaks the Marvel mold by minimizing deep lore and CGI spectacle. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as actor Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley with a scouse accent as Trevor Slattery, this series offers great fun without overstaying its welcome, focusing on hidden powers and mentorship.
ITVX: Shoresy
In a surprising acquisition, ITVX hosts Shoresy, a Canadian comedy about a violent hockey player. Nestled among gentle dramas, it provides a hilarious portrayal of cracked masculinity, with humor that transcends sports references to engage a broad audience.
Netflix: Vladimir
Netflix's latest adaptation, Vladimir, based on Julia May Jonas's novel, features a stellar cast including Rachel Weisz, John Slattery, and Leo Woodall. This campus-based drama of romping and marital intrigue landed recently, offering a sprightly and engaging narrative with top-tier performances.
Now: Togetherness
With HBO Max's arrival looming, Now subscribers can access HBO gems like Togetherness, a relationship comedy-drama from the Duplass brothers. Though it lasted only two series, it excels in portraying late-30s family anarchy, making it a hidden treasure in the streaming library.
Paramount+: Girl Taken
Paramount+ complicates the streaming landscape with its acquisition of Warner Bros, potentially housing HBO content. Original series like Girl Taken, a British abduction drama with a villainous performance from Alfie Allen, alongside hits like Yellowstone, showcase the platform's diverse offerings.
PlutoTV: Cagney and Lacey
As a free streamer, PlutoTV impresses with a varied movie selection, including Curzon's library. For TV, it offers nostalgic crime-drama thrills with Cagney and Lacey, a quietly pioneering series that remains beloved, alongside classics like Prisoner: Cell Block H.
Prime Video: Steal
Amazon Prime Video has become a hub for trashy yet engaging dramas, with Steal standing out as a British thriller starring Sophie Turner. It begins with a kinetic first episode and evolves into a twisty mystery, making it one of the platform's best recent shows.
U: Outsiders
UKTV's streaming service, U, hides curios like home renovation shows and cosy crime dramas. Outsiders, a standup scouts weekend hosted by David Mitchell, serves as a fun alternative to Taskmaster, offering high-concept comedy in a unique format.
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